Creighton University
Wichita State
Softball Claims Third Straight MVC Title Despite Setback to WSU
5/2/2009 3:15:00 PM | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. -- Despite a 1-0 loss to Wichita State in Saturday's nightcap, the Creighton University softball team clinched its third straight regular-season championship on Saturday. The Bluejays (33-15, 18-6), by virtue their doubleheader split and a twin bill split between second-place Southern Illinois and Indiana State, earned their third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference crown, sixth in school history.
Brianna Smet got the win (6-7) and scored the game's only run for the Shockers.
The Shockers plated their first run of the weekend in the third inning. Jessica Spencer blooped a single to right and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. A one-out walk to Brittney Osborn followed, ending the day for Bluejay starting pitcher Kylie Hovinga. Two-time Valley Pitcher of the Year Tara Oltman came on and yielded a single to Kiersten Dixon, which plated pinch-runner and pitcher Smet.
Creighton loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth but were unable to score. Bailey Dawson's squeeze bunt attempt resulted in lead runner, Jessica Wakasugi, getting forced out at home. Michelle Graner then flew out to second to end CU's best scoring opportunity.
CU also had a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lauren Larson reached on a dropped fly ball by rightfielder Osborn. Pinch-runner Alexa Mackevicius moved to third on consecutive sacrifice bunts before Jessi Jadlowski grounded back to the pitcher to end the contest.
Hovinga (6-5) suffered the loss, allowing one hit, one walk and one run in 2.1 innings. Oltman threw the final 4.2 innings of scoreless ball, while striking out six, to extend her scoreless streak on the day to 11.2 innings.
Smet earned the win, throwing 4.2 innings and two hits. Kasha Kolb earned her third save of the season, throwing the final 2.1 frames.
As regular-season champions for the third straight year, the Bluejays will play as the No. 1 seed at noon on Friday, May 8 in the first MVC Tournament semifinal at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill.
Creighton and Wichita State (21-31, 10-14 MVC) finish the regular-season on Sunday with a single game at the CU Sports Complex that will begin at Noon.
NOTES: Creighton also won three straight MVC titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000 ... Oltman did not start but entered the game in the third inning. She has pitched in 68 of CU's 72 conference games over the past three seasons ... Wichita State first baseman Jamie Stanclift was ejected in the top of the seventh after striking out and disputing the call with home plate umpire Naomi Erdahl.
