Creighton University
Evansville
Softball Splits Doubleheader at Evansville on MVC Opening Day
3/19/2011 2:51:00 PM | Softball
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Freshman Becca Changstrom took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of her Missouri Valley Conference debut, as the Creighton softball team blanked Evansville 6-0 in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader at Cooper Stadium. The Purple Aces bounced back to post three runs in the first inning of the night cap in earning a 4-2 win and a split in the twin bill.
In the opener, Creighton (10-13, 1-1 MVC) scored in the top of the first when Amy Baker's single drove home Christa Ruf. The Jays extended their lead to 2-0 when Jennifer Bohle scored on a wild pitch in the top of the third inning.
Creighton broke open the close game with Ellen Homan's bases-loaded double in the sixth inning to go ahead 5-0. Homan's three RBI were set up by a lead off walk from Brittnie Kreiser and one-out singles from Malloree Grove and Danai Martin. The Jays concluded scoring in the seventh inning when Baker scored on Grove's RBI single.
Changstrom (7-5) threw a two-hit shutout while striking out five in The Valley opener for both sides. The shutout was the fourth in eight complete games for the rookie right-hander this season. Allison Aguilera's single to start the bottom of the sixth broke up her no-hit bid. Changstrom walked three, but the Purple Aces never had a runner get past second base in the opening game.
Taylor Perry (0-1) took the loss for the Aces, she gave up eight hits and five runs in 5.2 innings of work.
The bottom four hitters in Creighton's line-up each had two hits in the win, as Grove, Martin, Homan and Bohle were a combined 8-for-13 at the plate.
In the nightcap, the Aces (5-16, 1-1 MVC) snapped their scoreless streak by plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning, chasing Bluejay starter Sammy Snygg after the right-hander retired only one hitter in the first.
Creighton got a run back in the top of the second inning, when freshman MaKenzie Michael hit the first home run of her career to lead off the frame.
Bluejay reliever Brittany Telecky kept the score at 3-1 until the bottom of the third inning, when an infield single, a throwing error and a pair of bunts manufactured another Evansville run to push the score to 4-1 in favor of the home team.
The Jays couldn't get their offense in gear, getting their only other run in the game on another solo home run, this one off the bat of Baker to lead off the seventh inning. Baker's league-leading eighth homer of the season was one of only three Bluejay hits in the loss.
Kendall Kautz (2-3), who entered the game with a 6.75 ERA on the season, held the Bluejays to just three hits and two runs to pick up her second win of the year for the Aces.
Snygg dropped to 0-6 with the loss, while Telecky hurled the final 5.2 innings in relief, allowing just one run on two hits. Telecky walked four and struck out three.
The Bluejays and Aces will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday at noon as Brent Vigness looks to tie the Creighton career victory record.
