Tuesday, March 18
Omaha, Neb.
3:00 PM
Creighton University
2
vs
1
Iowa State
Softball Sweeps Doubleheader from Cyclones
3/18/2008 6:15:00 PM | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. ? Sophomore pitcher Tara Oltman picked up a complete game victory and a three-inning save over Iowa State to help the Creighton softball team to a doubleheader sweep of the Cyclones Tuesday afternoon at the CU Sports Complex. Oltman struck out seven in a 2-1 win in game one and then pitched the final three innings of a 3-1 victory in the night cap, helping the Bluejays to improve to 17-10 on the season.
In game one, Iowa State (19-10) hurler Amie Ford limited the Bluejays to no runs and just three hits through the first five innings before the Bluejays broke through. TJ Eadus lined a 2-1 pitch over the right center field wall with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the Jays up 1-0 on her fifth home run of the season.
The Cyclones had no runs and just two hits through six innings before tying the game in the top of the seventh. Courtney Wray led off with a single and would come around to score on an RBI double by Amanda Bradberry. On the same play, Alex Johnson was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first base, keeping the game tied 1-1.
Michelle Graner coaxed a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the seventh and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Jessica Wakasugi. Graner moved to third on a ground out and Liz McKewon came to the plate with two outs and the winning run at third. The Bluejay second baseman blooped a single just over the infield and just inside the third base foul line to give the Jays a walk-off win.
Oltman (11-4) allowed just five hits and one run to go along with no walks and seven strikeouts in the game one victory.
Ford dropped to 3-2, allowing just five hits and two runs, while striking out six in the loss.
The Cyclones struck first in game two. Bradberry, who had gone 3-for-3 in game one, extended her hot streak by smacking her first home run of the season over the right field wall to lead off the second inning and give ISU a 1-0 lead.
Creighton wasted no time in answering, plating two runs in their half of the second. Laura Kratochvil singled to lead off the frame and was then lifted for pinch-runner Jess Stigge. After a failed sacrifice attempt, Stigge moved to second base on a Graner single to center. First baseman Mary Egan then ripped a double to right center field to score both Stigge and Graner to give the Jays a 2-1 lead after two innings.
Doubles by Bailey Dawson and Renae Sinkler helped the Bluejays add an insurance run in the sixth inning.
Amanda Hess started and went four innings to improve to 4-4 with the victory. The senior right-hander allowed just three hits and one run, while striking out one.
Oltman allowed just one hit in three innings of scoreless relief to pick up her third save of the season. The right-hander pitched out of a jam in the fifth inning. A leadoff walk, an error and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with no outs in the fifth. Oltman then settled in to strike out Kelsey Kidwell and induce a comebacker on the first pitch to Courtney Wray. With two outs, the Jays intentionally passed Alex Johnson to load the bases and Oltman struck out cleanup hitter Jacquelyn Beatty to end the threat.
The Bluejays defeated ISU ace Rachel Zabriskie (9-3) in game two. The right-hander allowed six hits and three runs with five strike outs in the complete game loss.
After having its Missouri Valley Conference opening weekend postponed last week, Creighton will look to start conference play with a three-game series at Bradley this weekend. The Bluejays and Braves will play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Friday and conclude the three-game set with a single game on Saturday at noon.
In game one, Iowa State (19-10) hurler Amie Ford limited the Bluejays to no runs and just three hits through the first five innings before the Bluejays broke through. TJ Eadus lined a 2-1 pitch over the right center field wall with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the Jays up 1-0 on her fifth home run of the season.
The Cyclones had no runs and just two hits through six innings before tying the game in the top of the seventh. Courtney Wray led off with a single and would come around to score on an RBI double by Amanda Bradberry. On the same play, Alex Johnson was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first base, keeping the game tied 1-1.
Michelle Graner coaxed a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the seventh and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Jessica Wakasugi. Graner moved to third on a ground out and Liz McKewon came to the plate with two outs and the winning run at third. The Bluejay second baseman blooped a single just over the infield and just inside the third base foul line to give the Jays a walk-off win.
Oltman (11-4) allowed just five hits and one run to go along with no walks and seven strikeouts in the game one victory.
Ford dropped to 3-2, allowing just five hits and two runs, while striking out six in the loss.
The Cyclones struck first in game two. Bradberry, who had gone 3-for-3 in game one, extended her hot streak by smacking her first home run of the season over the right field wall to lead off the second inning and give ISU a 1-0 lead.
Creighton wasted no time in answering, plating two runs in their half of the second. Laura Kratochvil singled to lead off the frame and was then lifted for pinch-runner Jess Stigge. After a failed sacrifice attempt, Stigge moved to second base on a Graner single to center. First baseman Mary Egan then ripped a double to right center field to score both Stigge and Graner to give the Jays a 2-1 lead after two innings.
Doubles by Bailey Dawson and Renae Sinkler helped the Bluejays add an insurance run in the sixth inning.
Amanda Hess started and went four innings to improve to 4-4 with the victory. The senior right-hander allowed just three hits and one run, while striking out one.
Oltman allowed just one hit in three innings of scoreless relief to pick up her third save of the season. The right-hander pitched out of a jam in the fifth inning. A leadoff walk, an error and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with no outs in the fifth. Oltman then settled in to strike out Kelsey Kidwell and induce a comebacker on the first pitch to Courtney Wray. With two outs, the Jays intentionally passed Alex Johnson to load the bases and Oltman struck out cleanup hitter Jacquelyn Beatty to end the threat.
The Bluejays defeated ISU ace Rachel Zabriskie (9-3) in game two. The right-hander allowed six hits and three runs with five strike outs in the complete game loss.
After having its Missouri Valley Conference opening weekend postponed last week, Creighton will look to start conference play with a three-game series at Bradley this weekend. The Bluejays and Braves will play a doubleheader beginning at noon on Friday and conclude the three-game set with a single game on Saturday at noon.
Players Mentioned
OF/1B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
OF
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