Saturday, February 27
Denton, Texas
10:30 am
Creighton University
vs
Sam Houston State
Softball Set for North Texas Invitational
2/26/2016 6:24:00 PM | Softball
Bluejays to take on Sam Houston State, North Texas in two-day tournament
Games 11-14 • February 27-28 • North Texas Invitational • Denton, Texas | Game Notes (PDF)
Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. Sam Houston State - 10:30AM | LIVE STATS
Saturday, Feb. 27 at North Texas - 3:30PM | LIVE STATS
Sunday, Feb. 28 vs. Sam Houston State - 9:00AM | LIVE STATS
Sunday, Feb. 28 vs. North Texas - 11:00AM | LIVE STATS
Follow the Action
Live stats for this weekend's North Texas Inviational can be accessed via MeanGreenSports.com at the following URL:
http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/ntex-invitational.html
Scoring updates and infographics will be provided via Twitter at @BluejaySoftball.
Getting Up to Speed
Creighton Softball posted a 3-2 record in last weekend's Troy Cox Classic hosted by New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M, earning a victory over Western Michigan and a pair of wins over Campbell.
The Bluejays' two losses in the tournament came to No. 14 Oklahoma (Big 12) and host New Mexico State (WAC), which both won their respective regular-season championships last season.
Scouting Sam Houston State
The Bearkats (2-6) opened the season with a challenging slate of games as part of the A&M-Corpus Christi Islander Classic, suffering losses to Iowa, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and a pair of setbacks to Louisville. Last week, Sam Houston State went 3-2 in non-conference play, falling to Texas A&M before sweeping a doubleheader versus Praire View. On Wednesday, Feb. 24, the Bearkats fell to Baylor, 13-4, in five innings. Sam Houston State finished 19-28 last season, and posted a 4-8 record in neutral-site contests.
Series: Creighton leads, 7-4.
Last matchup: 2/23/97 in Norman, Okla. (Sooner Invitational) - Creighton wins, 5-3
Scouting North Texas
North Texas will enter the weekend in the midst of a three-game win streak. The Mean Green (6-4) split decisions in the opening day of play at Baylor's Getterman Classic, defeating Northwestern State before falling narrowly to Liberty, 1-0. North Texas then swept its way through the remainder of the tournament, twice beating #21 Baylor, with each win coming in extra innings, and avenging its earlier loss to Liberty. Last season, the Mean Green posted a 19-31 record, going 11-11 at home.
Series: Creighton leads, 4-3.
Last matchup: 2/15/09 in Corpus Christi, Texas (Corpus Christi Invitational) - Creighton wins, 4-3, in nine innings
Eck Named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week
Junior righthander Sydnee Eck earned the win in each of Creighton's three victories last weekend, striking out a combined 24 batters and allowing just five earned runs in 14 and two-thirds innings in those contests. Following her stellar weekend, Eck was named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week by the conference on Monday. Eck's career-high 12 strikeouts versus Western Michigan marked the first time since 2014 that a Creighton pitcher recorded a double-digit strikeout total (Becca Changstrom, 11 Ks at St. John's on 4/27/14).
Daro at the Bat
Junior first baseman Jen Daro registered a hit in four of the Bluejays' five matchups last weekend, going a combined 6-for-12 at the plate. 13 of Daro's team-best 16 RBI came in the tournament. She homered once in Creighton's 11-3 win over Campbell on Saturday, Feb. 20, and twice more in the Bluejays' following game that day, a 6-1 win over Western Michigan. Prior to Daro, the last Creighton player to homer in consecutive contests was Alexis Cantu—a current assistant on Creighton's coaching staff—in 2014.
Allender's Hot Start
Senior center fielder Kelsey Allender leads Creighton with a .370 batting average this season. Like Daro, Allender recorded hits in four of the Bluejays' five contests last weekend, including a 3-for-3 performance at the plate versus No. 14 Oklahoma.
Covering the Bases with Erin McGonigal
Fans who enjoyed following Creighton Softball along with Erin McGonigal last season can do so again this year, as the senior infielder chronicles the Bluejays' 2016 season in her "Covering the Bases" blog. Read her first blog post of the season here. Updates can be found online at GoCreighton.com.
Strength of Schedule
The Bluejays' schedule features eight opponents who made NCAA Tournament appearances last season, including five teams which won their respective regular-season conference championships: BYU (WCC), Cal State Northridge (Big West), New Mexico State (WAC), Oklahoma (Big 12), and St. John's (BIG EAST).
Creighton's matchups with Oklahoma and New Mexico State in the Troy Cox Classic marked the fifth and sixth occasions already this season that the Bluejays faced off with teams that finished last season with RPI rankings better than 70: Tennessee (9), Oklahoma (12), New Mexico State (43), Cal State Northridge (51), BYU (56), and UC Riverside (70).
One of Creighton's toughest tests of the year came immediately out of the gate with a season-opening matchup with perennial power Tennessee to begin the Kajikawa Classic on Feb. 11. In the contest, Creighton trailed by a slim, 3-0, margin until the sixth inning when Tennessee scored twice to seal a 5-0 victory. Last season, the Volunteers posted a 47-17 record and clinched the program's seventh Women's College World Series bid.
On the Road Again
Creighton's first 24 contests this season will take place away from home, as the Bluejays take part in four consecutive tournaments: Kajikawa Classic (Feb. 11-13; Tempe, Ariz.), Troy Cox Classic (Feb. 19-21; Las Cruces, N.M.), North Texas Invitational (Feb. 27-28; Denton, Texas), and Rebel Spring Games (March 5-10; Kissimmee, Fla.).
After travelling for the first month of the season, 13 of Creighton's next 19 contests will take place at home inside the confines of the Creighton Sports Complex.
Creighton Picked Fifth in BIG EAST
As announced by the BIG EAST Conference on Feb. 1, Creighton was tabbed fifth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, just one point shy of Seton Hall for fourth place. Last season's regular season and tournament champion, St. John's, was unanimously chosen to top the poll. The Red Storm received all seven available first-place votes for a total of 49 points, as the league's head coaches ranked the teams one through seven and were not allowed to vote for their own programs.
With two All-BIG EAST selections returning, Creighton will look to build off of last year's 22-21 campaign. Allie Reinhart led the Bluejays with a .396 batting average, 21 hits and 12 RBI in conference play last season. Blake Ringle finished second on the team with 10 long balls, four of which came in BIG EAST action. Including Reinhart and Ringle, the Bluejays return 15 players from a year ago. Creighton welcomes seven newcomers to the roster: Aujanae McCoy, Tara Fallahee, Bry Flanagan, Kelly Mardones, Michal Hylton, Val Bertrand, and Mileah McKelvy.
Winningest Coach in Creighton History
Head Coach Brent Vigness is in his 23rd season as headman of the program. With 690 career wins at Creighton, Vigness is the winningest coach in Creighton athletics history.
Patience at the Plate
After striking out 36 times and drawing 13 walks in its first four contests, Creighton flipped the script. Over the Bluejays' next six games, Creighton players drew 34 walks and struck out just 31 times.
Leading the Bluejays in base on balls is senior catcher Blake Ringle, who has drawn 12 walks, including one in each of Creighton's first six games.
Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. Sam Houston State - 10:30AM | LIVE STATS
Saturday, Feb. 27 at North Texas - 3:30PM | LIVE STATS
Sunday, Feb. 28 vs. Sam Houston State - 9:00AM | LIVE STATS
Sunday, Feb. 28 vs. North Texas - 11:00AM | LIVE STATS
Follow the Action
Live stats for this weekend's North Texas Inviational can be accessed via MeanGreenSports.com at the following URL:
http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/ntex-invitational.html
Scoring updates and infographics will be provided via Twitter at @BluejaySoftball.
Getting Up to Speed
Creighton Softball posted a 3-2 record in last weekend's Troy Cox Classic hosted by New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M, earning a victory over Western Michigan and a pair of wins over Campbell.
The Bluejays' two losses in the tournament came to No. 14 Oklahoma (Big 12) and host New Mexico State (WAC), which both won their respective regular-season championships last season.
Scouting Sam Houston State
The Bearkats (2-6) opened the season with a challenging slate of games as part of the A&M-Corpus Christi Islander Classic, suffering losses to Iowa, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and a pair of setbacks to Louisville. Last week, Sam Houston State went 3-2 in non-conference play, falling to Texas A&M before sweeping a doubleheader versus Praire View. On Wednesday, Feb. 24, the Bearkats fell to Baylor, 13-4, in five innings. Sam Houston State finished 19-28 last season, and posted a 4-8 record in neutral-site contests.
Series: Creighton leads, 7-4.
Last matchup: 2/23/97 in Norman, Okla. (Sooner Invitational) - Creighton wins, 5-3
Scouting North Texas
North Texas will enter the weekend in the midst of a three-game win streak. The Mean Green (6-4) split decisions in the opening day of play at Baylor's Getterman Classic, defeating Northwestern State before falling narrowly to Liberty, 1-0. North Texas then swept its way through the remainder of the tournament, twice beating #21 Baylor, with each win coming in extra innings, and avenging its earlier loss to Liberty. Last season, the Mean Green posted a 19-31 record, going 11-11 at home.
Series: Creighton leads, 4-3.
Last matchup: 2/15/09 in Corpus Christi, Texas (Corpus Christi Invitational) - Creighton wins, 4-3, in nine innings
Eck Named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week
Junior righthander Sydnee Eck earned the win in each of Creighton's three victories last weekend, striking out a combined 24 batters and allowing just five earned runs in 14 and two-thirds innings in those contests. Following her stellar weekend, Eck was named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week by the conference on Monday. Eck's career-high 12 strikeouts versus Western Michigan marked the first time since 2014 that a Creighton pitcher recorded a double-digit strikeout total (Becca Changstrom, 11 Ks at St. John's on 4/27/14).
Daro at the Bat
Junior first baseman Jen Daro registered a hit in four of the Bluejays' five matchups last weekend, going a combined 6-for-12 at the plate. 13 of Daro's team-best 16 RBI came in the tournament. She homered once in Creighton's 11-3 win over Campbell on Saturday, Feb. 20, and twice more in the Bluejays' following game that day, a 6-1 win over Western Michigan. Prior to Daro, the last Creighton player to homer in consecutive contests was Alexis Cantu—a current assistant on Creighton's coaching staff—in 2014.
Allender's Hot Start
Senior center fielder Kelsey Allender leads Creighton with a .370 batting average this season. Like Daro, Allender recorded hits in four of the Bluejays' five contests last weekend, including a 3-for-3 performance at the plate versus No. 14 Oklahoma.
Covering the Bases with Erin McGonigal
Fans who enjoyed following Creighton Softball along with Erin McGonigal last season can do so again this year, as the senior infielder chronicles the Bluejays' 2016 season in her "Covering the Bases" blog. Read her first blog post of the season here. Updates can be found online at GoCreighton.com.
Strength of Schedule
The Bluejays' schedule features eight opponents who made NCAA Tournament appearances last season, including five teams which won their respective regular-season conference championships: BYU (WCC), Cal State Northridge (Big West), New Mexico State (WAC), Oklahoma (Big 12), and St. John's (BIG EAST).
Creighton's matchups with Oklahoma and New Mexico State in the Troy Cox Classic marked the fifth and sixth occasions already this season that the Bluejays faced off with teams that finished last season with RPI rankings better than 70: Tennessee (9), Oklahoma (12), New Mexico State (43), Cal State Northridge (51), BYU (56), and UC Riverside (70).
One of Creighton's toughest tests of the year came immediately out of the gate with a season-opening matchup with perennial power Tennessee to begin the Kajikawa Classic on Feb. 11. In the contest, Creighton trailed by a slim, 3-0, margin until the sixth inning when Tennessee scored twice to seal a 5-0 victory. Last season, the Volunteers posted a 47-17 record and clinched the program's seventh Women's College World Series bid.
On the Road Again
Creighton's first 24 contests this season will take place away from home, as the Bluejays take part in four consecutive tournaments: Kajikawa Classic (Feb. 11-13; Tempe, Ariz.), Troy Cox Classic (Feb. 19-21; Las Cruces, N.M.), North Texas Invitational (Feb. 27-28; Denton, Texas), and Rebel Spring Games (March 5-10; Kissimmee, Fla.).
After travelling for the first month of the season, 13 of Creighton's next 19 contests will take place at home inside the confines of the Creighton Sports Complex.
Creighton Picked Fifth in BIG EAST
As announced by the BIG EAST Conference on Feb. 1, Creighton was tabbed fifth in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, just one point shy of Seton Hall for fourth place. Last season's regular season and tournament champion, St. John's, was unanimously chosen to top the poll. The Red Storm received all seven available first-place votes for a total of 49 points, as the league's head coaches ranked the teams one through seven and were not allowed to vote for their own programs.
With two All-BIG EAST selections returning, Creighton will look to build off of last year's 22-21 campaign. Allie Reinhart led the Bluejays with a .396 batting average, 21 hits and 12 RBI in conference play last season. Blake Ringle finished second on the team with 10 long balls, four of which came in BIG EAST action. Including Reinhart and Ringle, the Bluejays return 15 players from a year ago. Creighton welcomes seven newcomers to the roster: Aujanae McCoy, Tara Fallahee, Bry Flanagan, Kelly Mardones, Michal Hylton, Val Bertrand, and Mileah McKelvy.
Winningest Coach in Creighton History
Head Coach Brent Vigness is in his 23rd season as headman of the program. With 690 career wins at Creighton, Vigness is the winningest coach in Creighton athletics history.
Patience at the Plate
After striking out 36 times and drawing 13 walks in its first four contests, Creighton flipped the script. Over the Bluejays' next six games, Creighton players drew 34 walks and struck out just 31 times.
Leading the Bluejays in base on balls is senior catcher Blake Ringle, who has drawn 12 walks, including one in each of Creighton's first six games.
Players Mentioned
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/ Softball
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IF
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IF
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P
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P
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IF
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IF
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UT
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OF/C
/ Softball
C/UT
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