Creighton University
Drake
Errors Cost Bluejays in 3-2 Softball Loss to Drake
5/9/2008 4:45:00 PM | Softball
Drake (28-24) reached on Bluejay errors to lead off the frame in both the second and third innings, leading to unearned runs in each frame. An error by CU third baseman Liz McKewon started a two-run second inning for the Bulldogs. The Jays appeared to pick Jenna DeLong off of first base during the next DU at bat, as the throw from TJ Eadus beat DeLong to the bag, but she avoided the tag by CU second baseman Michelle Koch. Kelsey Kahler then walked to put two on with no outs, and both DU runners moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. DU's first run scored on an RBI single by Marilyn Buss and the Dogs scored again on a sacrifice fly by Kristin Birocci to give DU a 2-0 lead.
A pair of CU errors in the third inning contributed to another unearned run, as Jaci Faidley reached to start the inning on an error by shortstop Bailey Dawson. She would come around to score with two outs on an error by Koch at second base to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead, with three unearned runs on three CU errors and just one base hit through four.
The Jays had a chance to get on the board in the second inning, when Eadus led off the frame with a single and she was followed by a walk to Michelle Graner. The pair moved into scoring position with just one out, but were stranded on base. CU stranded two more runners in the fourth inning, left one on in the fifth and wasted a lead off double by Sinkler in the sixth inning, leaving her at third base.
Creighton finally cracked the scoring column in the bottom of the seventh inning, nearly completing a comeback. Koch led off the frame by launching her seventh home run of the year over the left field fence. Jessica Wakasugi followed with a slicing double down the left field line and moved to third base on a wild pitch with one out. She would score CU's second run on a pinch-hit RBI ground out by Mary Egan. That brought
Oltman hurled a one-hitter and did not allow an earned run, but had her streak of 13 straight winning decisions snapped because of the fielding miscues. The sophomore right-hander struck out seven and walked two as she dropped to 31-7 on the year.
MVC Newcomer of the Year Brynne Dordel (18-11) pitched well for the Bulldogs, striking out 11 Bluejays and issuing two walks in the victory.
Creighton will have to wait until Sunday night when the NCAA Tournament bracket is announced on ESPNU to see if its season will continue by earning an at-large bid into the postseason. The championship announcement will air on ESPNU at 9 p.m. (CST) on Sunday.
NOTES: CU entered the MVC Tournament ranked 10th in the NCAA in fielding percentage ... Creighton had made just two errors combined in its previous nine games ... Friday's game marked just the fourth time on the season CU had made more than two errors in a game ... The loss for the Bluejays marked the first time since 2000 that CU did not win its first game at the MVC Tourney and the first time since 1999 CU did not record at least one win in the MVC postseason ... CU dropped to 7-3 all-time at Charlotte West Stadium, including 2-1 in MVC Tournament play ... CU has appeared in four of the last five NCAA Tournaments, but earned the MVC's automatic bid in each of those seasons ... The MVC has received at least one at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament in each of the past five seasons.
