Creighton University
20-12, 5-2
Seton Hall
18-27, 4-9
Softball Rides Strong Pitching Performance And Offensive Outburst To Sweep Seton Hall
4/21/2018 3:23:00 PM | Softball
The Bluejays defeated the Pirates 2-1 in game one, 12-4 in five innings during game two
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The Creighton softball team used a strong pitching performance and an offensive outburst to sweep Seton Hall during a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Mike Sheppard Sr. Field in South Orange, New Jersey.
Freshman Kiele Miller struck out 10 during Creighton's 2-1 victory in the first game, and the Bluejays scored nine runs during the first two innings of game number two before defeating the Pirates, 12-4 in five innings.
Creighton improved to 21-12 (6-2 BIG EAST), while Seton Hall dropped to 18-28 (4-10 BIG EAST).
The Bluejays needed only a single run during both the first and fourth innings to outlast the Pirates, 2-1, during the first game of the day.
Miller recorded her ninth victory of the season, while matching a season-high with 10 strikeouts, and allowed only one run during a complete-game effort. Miller's strikeout of Baylee Allender during the bottom of the second inning marked her 100th of the season, as the Dripping Springs, Texas native, became only the fourth pitcher in Creighton program history to record 100 or more strikeouts during their freshman season. The Bluejay record for strikeouts by a freshman is 212 by Creighton Athletics Hall of Famer Tara Oltman in 2007.
Ashley Cantu led off the top of the first inning with an infield single to third base. The sophomore moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Sam Crowley before Mileah McKelvy reached on an error, allowing Cantu to score from second base without a play.
The Pirates loaded the bases during the bottom of the first, but Miller tallied her first strikeout of the game to preserve Creighton's early 1-0 advantage.
The Bluejays added to their lead during the top of the fourth. Cantu reached on an error with two outs and Crowley followed with a double down the left-field line to extend Creighton's advantage to 2-0.
Seton Hall threatened with runners at second and third with two outs during the bottom of the sixth, but Miller recorded her eighth strikeout of the game to end the threat.
After Creighton failed to cash in on a one-out double by McKelvy in the top of the seventh, the Pirates broke into the run column and cut their deficit in half with a two-out solo home run. Miller ended the game with her 10th strikeout of the afternoon as the freshman reached the double-digit strikeout plateau for the third time this season.
Senior catcher Jordyn Sturgeon led the Bluejays with two hits during the opening game as the Jays out-hit the Pirates six to five.
Creighton scored nine runs on 11 hits during the first two innings of game No. 2 before downing Seton Hall 12-4 in five innings.
The Bluejays opened up the second game of the day with three consecutive hits. Cantu and Crowley each recorded infield singles before McKelvy drove in the first run of the game with a single through the middle. After a fly out, Mikaela Pechar added to Creighton's lead with an RBI groundout.
Creighton continued to extend its early advantage with a seven-run scoring barrage during the second frame. The Bluejays tallied eight hits and sent 12 batters to the plate during the inning.
Jayci McGill led off the inning with a single before scoring two batters later on Nikki McNeil's pinch-hit double down the right-field line.
After a single by Cantu, Crowley drove home the fourth run of the game with a bunt single. The senior popped up a bunt that landed just in front of the third baseman who picked up the ball but had did not have a play as Tash Coffiel scored easily from third and Seton Hall did not have a player covering first base.
McKelvy drove home two more runs with her first career triple. The sophomore lifted an 0--2 delivery into right field before the Pirate outfielder allowed the ball to get past her and roll all the way to the fence.
Hope Moreno continued the inning with a single into right field to plate McKelvy from third. Following a double by Pechar, Moreno scored the eighth Creighton run on a wild pitch.
Kelli Finan capped the frame with a single up the middle to drive in Pechar and extend Creighton's early lead to 9-0.
Freshman Logan Black retired the first 10 Pirate hitters she faced before allowing a one-out double to Alexis Walken during the top of the fourth inning. Two batters later, Seton Hall scored its first two runs of the game with a two-run homer to center field. The Pirates scored four times during the bottom of the fourth to cut Creighton's lead to 9-4.
The Bluejays extended their edge back to eight runs by scoring three runs with only one hit during the top of the fifth. Courtney Sandell and Tash Coffiel each walked before Cantu singled and advanced all the way to third base on a throwing error as both runners scored. Crowley pushed the lead to 12-4 with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Bryana Clark allowed one hit, but zero runs during the bottom of the fifth inning to end the game.
Cantu and Crowley each recorded three hits during the second game of the doubleheader, and McKelvy added two as the Bluejays finished with 13 hits. McKelvy also drove in three runs to pace the Jays. Cantu scored a total of five times (two during game one, three during game two) on Saturday.
Creighton and Seton Hall are scheduled to conclude their weekend series with a single game on Sunday at 11 a.m. Central.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Miller, Kiele (9-5)
L: CAMP, Reganne (7-9)
Batting:
2B: Crowley, Sam 1 ; McKelvy, Mileah 1
RBI: Crowley, Sam 1
SH: Crowley, Sam 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cantu, Ashley 2
HBP: Hunt, Kaitlynn 1
Batting:
HR: PANDOLFO, Darby 1
RBI: PANDOLFO, Darby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: PANDOLFO, Darby 1
SB: WALKDEN, Alexis 1 ; WALLACE, Brianna 1
