Creighton University
Bradley
Long Balls Lead Softball Past Bradley, 4-0
5/6/2007 3:00:00 AM | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. Renae Sinkler, Caitlin Marcano and Michelle Koch each hit home runs as Tara Oltman and Amanda Hess combined to shutout Bradley 4-0 in the regular-season finale for both teams Sunday afternoon at the Creighton Sports Complex. The Missouri Valley Conference champion Bluejays are 37-12-1 overall and finished 19-4-1 in MVC play to tie a school record with 19 Valley victories.
Sinkler broke a scoreless tie with her fourth home run of the season to lead off the third inning. The freshman took an 0-2 offering from Ashley Birdsong deep over the center field fence.
In the fourth inning TJ Eadus worked a full count walk to lead off the frame and Marcano followed by crushing the first pitch she saw over the left field fence. Her eighth round tripper of the year is tied with four other players - including Bailey Dawson this year - for the ninth most in a season school history. With 15 career home runs, the senior ranks seventh in CU history.
Koch then took the first pitch of the fifth inning over the center field wall for her third homer of the spring, giving the Jays a 4-0 lead. Koch went 2-for-3 in the game to finish with a .362 conference average. Jessica Wakasugi also finished the game 2-for-3.
Oltman (23-7) picked up the win for CU, hurling the first five innings, allowing two hits, two walks and striking out four. With 23 victories, the rookie is tied for third most in a season in Bluejay history. Hess, appearing in relief for the first time in Valley play this year, pitched two hitless innings, fanning Jessie Musgrove to end the game and give her 150 strikeouts this year.
Birdsong (19-14) took the loss for Bradley, as the Braves finished the regular-season 25-22 overall and 8-15 in The Valley.
Creighton, as the number one seed in the upcoming State Farm MVC Tournament, will not play on the opening day of the event which begins Thursday in Normal, Ill. The first game for the Bluejays will be a semifinal contest on Friday at noon against a to-be-determined opponent.
Don't forget to vote for Jamie Reiss every day through May 23 on the Senior CLASS Award website - here.
