Big Ten Softball Power Rankings: Huskers Move Up

After weeks on what looked like complete domination, the Indiana Hoosiers hit a big red wall. That wall came in the form of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Huskers rolled into Bloomington and swept Indiana to move into second place in the Big Ten standings.

Michigan has steadily been bouncing up and down since conference play started and the Wolverines could make a large splash when they host Northwestern in Ann Arbor this weekend.

Northwestern
Previous: 1 | Record: 28-9, 13-1

The Wildcats extended their winning streak to eight games after a three-game sweep at Wisconsin. Northwester won 1-0, 6-3 and 4-3 in nine innings.

Up Next: Michigan

Nebraska
Previous: 3 | Record: 30-13, 10-4

The Huskers swept Indiana and Brooke Andrews was named the conference player of the week for the first time in her career.

She batted .600 with a 1.100 slugging percentage and .600 on-base percentage. Half of her hits were for extra bases and she drove in six runs while scoring three.

Up Next: Wisconsin

Put in work in Bloomington.

Let’s carry it back to Bowlin. #GBR pic.twitter.com/2YjR79IlsJ

— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) April 17, 2023

Michigan
Previous: 8 | Record: 23-16, 9-5

Lauren Derkowski went 3-0 with a 0.32 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 21.2 innings including back-to-back no-hitters against Purdue.

She became the first Big Ten pitcher to throw complete-game no-no’s on consecutive days since April 21-22, 1987.

Up Next: Northwestern

Indiana
Previous: 2 | Record: 31-15, 9-5

After a historic 23-game winning streak, the Hoosiers have suddenly found themselves on a five-game losing streak.

Up Next: Rutgers

Wisconsin
Previous: 5 Record: 22-14, 7-5

The Badgers played Northwestern close but were swept by the Wildcats.

Up Next: Nebraska

Iowa
Previous: 5 | Record: 28-17, 8-6

The Hawkeyes dropped their first two games to Maryland before salvaging the series finale 2-1. Iowa went on to beat Western Illinois 7-1 on Wednesday.

Up Next: Minnesota

𝗡𝗜𝗔 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗥 👑@niiaaa_3 x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/SjnDoPIn2g

— Iowa Softball (@iowasoftball) April 15, 2023

Maryland
Previous: 9 | Record: 30-13, 6-8

Maryland finished the week 3-1 with two wins against Iowa, 5-2 and 2-0. The Terps run-ruled UMBC 9-0 in five innings on Wednesday.

Up Next: Penn State

Ohio State
Previous: 10 | Record: 28-14, 8-6

Ohio State has been scoring at will. The Buckeyes won two games against Illinois by scores of 11-0 and 9-1. They lost 13-9 and then turned around to beat Youngstown State in a midweek 10-2.

Up Next: Purdue

Minnesota
Previous: 7 | Record: 25-16, 6-6

After a stellar weekend against Indiana, the Gophers went 2-1 against Michigan State. Minnesota won games 13-1 and 5-0 before losing 3-2.

Jess Oakland was named Freshman of the Week by the conference after batting .500, slugging .500 and a .583 on-base percentage. She recorded five hits, three runs, three stolen bases and one run batted in.

Up Next: Iowa

Penn State
Previous: 12 | Record: 24-13, 5-9

The Nittany Lions are on a four-game winning streak after sweeping Rutgers 1-0, 3-0 and 8-3 and topped off the perfect week with a 9-0 in five innings against Bucknell.

Up Next: Maryland

One program record in a day wasn’t enough… Bailey Parshall is also the NEW ALL-TIME NITTANY LION SHUTOUT LEADER🤯🤯

Typical 🐐 behavior.#WeAre | #queenB pic.twitter.com/jwCiQpEA4p

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 18, 2023

Rutgers
Previous: 6 | Record: 30-17, 7-7

The Scarlet Knight took a mighty tumble down the rankings since being swept by Rutgers. Add those three losses on to the tail end of their previous series at Rutgers is looking at five-game losing streak.

Up Next: Indiana

Purdue
Previous: 12 | Record: 20-24, 3-11

Purdue came away with a huge upset of Michigan in the second game of the series. The Boilermakers were shutout in the first and third game by a combined score 9-0. The week ended with a 9-1 win in five innings against Butler.

Up Next: Ohio State

Illinois
Previous: 11 | Record: 24-21, 3-11

The Fighting Illini have almost fallen to the bottom of the Big Ten after a promising start to the season. Illinois lost its series against Ohio State and then lost to Illinois State 3-2 on Wednesday.

Up Next: Michigan State

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Our matchup against @MSU_Softball will be the first time 2 Black female head softball coaches will face off during @bigten play and is believed to be the first meeting between 2 Black female head softball coaches at the Power 5 level.#Illini pic.twitter.com/OpNUSiuGzh

— Illinois Softball (@IlliniSB) April 20, 2023

Michigan State
Previous: 14 | Record: 12-25, 2-12

Michigan State won its second conference game of the year against Minnesota by a score of 3-2. The win halted the Spartans’ seven-game losing streak. The midweek game against Michigan was a 8-0 five-inning loss.

Up Next: Illinois