Creighton University
DePaul
Softball Closes Out Regular Season With Home Series Against DePaul
4/28/2022 2:43:00 PM | Softball
The Bluejays and Blue Demons are set to begin their three-game series on Friday at 3 p.m.
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Creighton (14-25, 4-15 BE) wraps up the 2022 regular season with a three-game home series against fourth-seeded DePaul (24-20. 12-6 BE).Â
The Bleujays and Blue Demons are set to open the series on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m., before battling on Senior Day Saturday at 1 p.m. The two teams will conclude their three-game series with a contest on Sunday at 12 p.m. at the Creighton Sports Complex.
Game Schedule
Game #40 • Friday, April 29 • DePaul (24-20, 12-6 BIG EAST) at Creighton (14-25, 4-15 BIG EAST) •  3 p.m.
Game #41 • Saturday, April 30 • DePaul at Creighton • 1 p.m. (Senior Day Recognitions and Autographs following the game)
Game #42 • Sunday, May 1 • DePaul at Creighton • 12 p.m.
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Follow The Games
This weekend's three-game series against DePaul will feature live video and live stats.
Live video will be provided through FloSports while live stats will be provided through StatBroadcast. The three-game home series will feature the broadcast team of Jon Schriner and Jake Ryan.
Links to the live video and live stats can be found on the Creighton Softball schedule page at GoCreighton.com.
A subscription is required to view the event on FloSports. More information can be found at GoCreighton.com/FloSports.
Scoring updates and infographics will be provided via Twitter at @BluejaySoftball.
Scouting Creighton (14-25, 4-15 BE)
The Bluejays look to close out the regular season out on a high note as they enter the final weekend of conference play with a 14-25 overall record and a 4-15 mark in league play.Â
The Bluejays have dropped the last four BIG EAST series, including being swept by Butler last weekend in Indianapolis, Ind.
Junior Kaliey Wilson paces the Bluejays offense with a BIG EAST best .413 batting average, which currently ranks 46th best national. Wilson also leads the conference in on-base percentage (.519) as the Colorado native has reached base safely in 25 of the last 27 games. Wilson ranks second in the league with a .734 slugging percentage on a team-high 11 doubles and eight home runs.
Junior Kiara Mills has also provided a spark at the plate for the Bluejays with a .316 batting average, following collecting a hit at the South Dakota on Tuesday. Mills paces the Bluejays with three triples while also contributing three doubles and five home runs as well as scoring 20 runs this season.Â
Sophomore Cayla Nielsen pushed her batting average to .312 with a single against South Dakota on Tuesday and has scored a team-high 33 runs for the Bluejays this season which ranks fifth most in the BIG EAST this season.
Sophomore Emma Rosonke is tied for second in the BIG EAST with 41 RBI and is one RBI away from entering the top-10 list for most RBI in a single season. Rosonke also leads the Bluejays with nine home runs this season, which ranks tied for fourth in the league, while holding a .307 batting average and a top-10 ranking in the BIG EAST with a .657 slugging percentage.
Sophomore's Alyssa Gappa and Madeline Vejvoda follow closely behind with .274 and .270 batting averages respectfully.Â
As a team, the Bluejays have scored 181 runs on 54 doubles and 34 home runs while holding a .277 batting average.
Junior Kate Mullally continues to pace the Bluejays with a 4.05 ERA with 43 strikeouts during 65.2 innings of work, while junior Mikayla Santa Cruz owns a team-high 80 strikeouts in 97.1 innings for a 4.60 ERA. True freshman Alexis Wiggins has also tossed 57 innings and struck out 51 batters for a 4.79 ERA.
The Bluejays pitching staff owns a 4.80 ERA with 189 strikeouts during 246.1 innings of work this season.
Head coach Brent Vigness is in his 29th season at the helm with 818 victories, the most of any coach across all sports in Creighton athletics history.
Scouting DePaul (24-20, 12-6 BE)
One of the hottest teams in the BIG EAST, DePaul enters the weekend fourth in the league but has won 11 of their last 12 conference games.Â
The Blue Demons have completed sweeps of Seton Hall, St. John's and Georgetown the past three weekends and come to Omaha rocking a 24-20 overall and 12-6 league record.Â
DePaul's offense ranks atop the league in batting average (.297), Slugging percentage (.501), On-Base Percentage (.392), Runs scored (261, RBI (245), Doubles (77), Triples (12), total bases (586), walks (152), hit by pitches (39) and sacrifice flies (13), while also ranking second in hits (347), home runs (46) and stolen bases (56).
Junior Brooke Johnson ranks second in the BIG EAST with a .394 batting average while the California native paces the league in slugging percentage (.803), RBI (47) and walks (28) and home runs (13). Johnson also ranks second in on-base percentage (.519) and hits (52) while ranking third in doubles (13) and runs scored (37) this season.Â
DePaul has also get a big contribution from five other Blue Demons who own a batting average over .300.Â
Freshman Carly Alvers holds a .387 average, while junior Tori Meyer owns a .343 average with 46 hits, including eight doubles, two triples and four home runs.Â
Freshman Anna Wohlers posts a .341 batting average and ranks second on the team with 11 doubles. Graduate Student Kate Polucha owns a .340 average on 34 hits, including a second-best seven home runs, while Maranda Gutierrez rounds out the group with a .315 average.Â
In the circle, the Blue Demons post a 4.20 ERA with 192 strikeouts in 287.0 inning of work. As a staff, DePaul has allowed 337 hits, 116 walks and 172 earned runs.Â
Graduate student Sarah Lehman leads DePaul with a 3.17 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 103.2 innings of action. Senior Erin Hocker has also struck out 41 batters in 99.0 innings of work for a 3.96 ERA this season.Â
Head coach Tracie Adix-Zins is in her fourth season at the helm of DePaul.
Series History Against Blue Demons
DePaul leads the all-time series against Creighton, 20-9, including an 14-4 record during BIG EAST contests.Â
DePaul captured victories in all three meeting a season ago, as the Blue Demons hit five home runs, including a grand slam during the series sweep.Â
The Bluejays last win over DePaul came back on April 28, 2019. Creighton and DePaul have not met in Omaha since May 7-8 of 2016.Â
Bluejays Set To Recognize Seniors
Creighton will recognize six student-athletes who will be playing their final games at home this weekend.
The Bluejays will recognize graduate transfer Shayna Dahlen, as well as juniors Sam Alm, Brittney Manthie, Kiara Mills, Kate Mullally and Mikayla Santa Cruz (Seniors academically).
The Senior Day ceremonies will take place following the game on Saturday. The Bluejays will also be signing autographic following senior day recognitions along the concourse behind the Creighton dugout.Â
Wilson Eyeing Spot In CU Record Book
Junior Kailey Wilson enters the final week of the regular season ranked seventh in Creighton history with a .413 single season batting average.Â
The Aurora, Colorado native paces the Bluejays and ranks fifth in the BIG EAST with 45 hits on the year, including a team-high 11 doubles. Wilson has also contributed eight home runs this season pushing her career total to 23 home runs, four away from entering Creighton's all-time top-10 list.Â
Wilson currently sits second in Creighton history with a single-season .519 on-base percentage, behind Alexis Cantu, who set the record with a .547 on-base percentage back in 2012.
BATTING?AVG. (min. 2 AB/game played)
No.   Avg.   Name   H-AB   Year
   1.   .538   Anne Timmermann   56-104   1978
   2.   .427   Ashley Cantu   32-75   2020
   3.   .423   Sue Frederick   69-163   1987
   4.   .419   Christy Lunceford   52-124   1996
   5.   .418   Liz Dike   56-134   2015
   6.   .415   Jean Conrad   39-94   1978
   7.   .413   Kailey Wilson   45-109   2022
   8.   .403   Heidi Geier   75-186   1999
   9.   .402   Melanie Dorsey   70-174   2005
      .402   Ashley Cantu   37-92   2021
   11.   .401   Ashley Cantu   57-142   2018
ON-BASE PERCENTAGE
No.   Avg.   Name      Year
   1.   .547   Alexis Cantu      2012
   2.   .519   Kailey Wilson      2022
   3.   .514   Renae Sinkler      2010
   4.   .492   Renae Sinkler      2009
   5.   .490   Christy Lunceford      1996
   6.   .479   Kailey Wilson      2021
   6.   .479   Ashley Cantu      2018
   8.   .477   Liz Dike      2015
   9.   .472   Ashley Cantu      2019
   10.    .467   Alexis Cantu      2013
Rosonke Nears Single-Season RBI Top-10
With an RBI in the Bluejays 2-1 setback to Butler on April 23, sophomore Emma Rosonke recorded her 41st RBI of the season.Â
The Omaha native is now one RBI shy of tying Sam Dellinger, Amy Baker, TJ Eadus, Stacey Rybar and Jean Conrad for seventh on the single-season RBI list. Rosonke currently ranks second in the BIG EAST while ranking 18th national with 1.14 RBI per game.Â
RUNS?BATTED?IN
   No.   Name   RBI   Year
   1.   Renae Sinkler   58   2010
   2.   Alexis Cantu   48   2012
   3.   Amy Baker   46   2012
      Amy Baker   46   2010
   5.   Bri (Lingl) McMahon   43   2012Â
      Abby Johnson   43   2004
   7.   Sam Dellinger   42   2017
      Amy Baker   42   2013
      TJ Eadus   42   2007
      Stacey Rybar   42   2004
      Jean Conrad   42   1978
--      Emma Rosonke   41   2022
Round Tripper X3
In the Bluejays 10-5 lost against Villanova on April 16, the Bluejays hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to start the second inning.Â
Junior Sam Alm led off the bottom half of the second with a home run to right field before sophomore Emma Rosonke took the very next pitch deep over the right centerfield wall to give the Bluejays a 3-1 lead. Senior Shayna Dahlen then stepped up to the plate and hit a deep fly ball down the left field line that bounced off the Wildcat's left fielders' glove for the Bluejays third straight home run.Â
It was the third time since joining the BIG EAST that the Bluejays have hit back-to-back-to-back home runs and is the first time since March 23, 2019, when Jayci Foster, Mileah McKelvy and Kiara Mills hit three straight home runs in the top of the sixth inning against Georgetown.
Four Bags The Non-Traditional Way
In the series opener against Villanova, junior Kiara Mills hit a home run the non-traditional way by rounding the bases for an inside the park home run.
The California native launched a high fly ball to center field, which Villanova's centerfielder lost in the sun and was unable to make the catch. Mills did not break stride coming all the way around for the inside the park home run.
It was the Bluejays first inside the park home runs since former Bluejay Ashley Cantu hit one on March 27, 2019, against South Dakota. That season, Cantu hit two inside the park home runs to lead the Bluejays.Â
Wilson Nabs Spot on BE Weekly Honor Roll
Junior Kailey Wilson earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on April 11 after her dominant at the plate, finishing the three-game series against UConn with a 1.714 Slugging percentage, a .900 on-base percentage and a .857 batting average (6-of-7).Â
The Colorado native closed the weekend with three doubles and a home run while collecting two RBI and scoring two runs. In addition to her six hits, Wilson collected a trio of walks and was hit by a pitch to extend her on-base streak to 19 straight games. Â
In April 8th 5-4 setback, Wilson went 2-for-2 with a double and a home run while also drawing a pair of walks. She continued to stay hot at the plate on Saturday, April 9, going a perfect 3-for-3 with another double and walk, while also driving in a run. Wilson wrapped up the weekend with her third double of the series before scoring on a sac fly. She was also hit by a pitch, which allowed her to reach base in 10 of her 11 plate appearances.
Wilson has started all 39 games as the designated player for the Bluejays this season and is currently leading the team with a .413 batting average, including a BIG EAST best .491 average during BIG EAST play.Â
Wilson leads the conference with a .588 on-base percentage while also ranking second with a .855 slugging percentage as the junior has hit eight doubles, four home runs and has drawn 11 walks during conference action.
Wilson's Dominance In BIG EAST Play
Junior Kailey Wilson has been a force at the plate for the Bluejays during BIG EAST play. Wilson currently leads the BIG EAST in batting average (.491) and on-base percentage (.588), while ranking second in slugging percentage (.855).
Wilson went 6-of-7 (.857 batting average) with three walks and a hit by pitch over three games at UConn (April 8-10). Wilson continued her hot streak at the plate by going 4-for-8 with two RBI on two doubles and a home run against Villanova the following week.
The junior has already racked up 27 hits, which is tied for the lead in the BIG EAST, with eight doubles (second in BE), four home runs (eighth in BE) and 11 walks.Â
This comes as no surprise as the Colorado native dominated the BIG EAST last season. The junior was named a Unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection after leading the Bluejays and ranked second in the BIG EAST with a .432 batting average during league games, launching four home runs against BIG EAST pitching.Â
Wilson drove in 15 runs and posted a .773 slugging percentage while also walking nine times and ranked third in the league with a .537 on-base percentage. Additionally, Wilson had a team-best eight hits and seven RBIs with two outs during conference contests.Â
Wilson's On-Base Streak Ends At 19
Junior Kailey Wilson reached base in 19 straight games between March 4 and April 14, which was Creighton's longest streak this season and the longest since Ashley Cantu reached base in 21 straight games in 2019.
Wilson logged the sixth longest on-base streak since 2010, as five different Bluejays have reached base in 20 or more straight games since 2010. Amy Baker reached base safely in 37 consecutive games back in 2013. Below is the list of Bluejays to reach base in 20 or more games since 2010.
Player   # of Games on Base (Year)
Amy Baker   37 (2013)
Alexis Cantu   28 (2012)
Ashley Cantu   21 (2019)
Anna O'Gorman   20 (2017)
Kelsey Allender   20 (2015)
Kailey Wilson   19 (2022)
During her 19-game on-base streak, Wilson hit .480 (24-of-50) with six doubles, four home runs, 14 walks and 14 RBI.Â
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Junior Sam Alm has had a knack for moving runners on base through out her career as a Bluejays. Throughout the 128 games Alm has played in, she has combined for 37 sacrifice hits and is eyeing the top-10 list for most sacrifice hits in a career.Â
This season alone, the Omaha native has seven sacrifice hits, including four sacrifice flies which ranks eighth nationally. Below is the list for the most sacrifice hits in a career.Â
Career Sacrifice Hit Top-10 List
   No.   Name   SH   Years
   1.   Michelle Koch   58   2007-10
   2.   Jamie Reiss   56   2004-07
   3.   Karyn Rice   55   1987-90
   4.   Jessica Wakasugi   53   2006-09
   5.   Bailey Dawson   44   2006-09
      Danielle Fitzgerald   44   1995-97
   7.   Liz McKewon   42   2008-11
      Beth Herod   42   1989-9
   9.   Wendy Moon   41   1991-94
   10.   Kari Shank   40   2001-04
      Brenda Konfrst   40   1987-90
   --   Sam Alm   37   2019-Pr.
Creighton At Home
Since joining the BIG EAST in 2014, the Bluejays own a 52-51 record at home.
The Bluejays are 2-8 at home this season after dropping all three games of a three-game series to Villanova last weekend.
Creighton is hitting .277 at home with 15 doubles, two triples and 14 home runs. The Bluejays launched six home runs in the three-game series against the Wildcats last weekend.
Kailey Wilson paces the Bluejays offense with a .500 batting average, while Emma Rosonke (.423) and Kiara Mills (.429) are each hitting well above .400 at home.
Rosonke has launched four of the Bluejays 14 home runs and has collected 16 RBI thus far, while Wilson has hit a team-high four double and three home runs at home this season. Mills has contributed 12 hits, including a pair of triples, a double and two home runs while scoring a team-high seven runs at home this season.Â
Opponents are hitting .328 with 18 home runs and 17 doubles at the Creighton Sports Complex.
A total of 32 home runs (14 by CU, 18 by Opponents) have been hit during 66 innings of action.Â
The Bluejays were 8-3 at home last season, including a stretch of four consecutive wins and seven victories in eight games at the Creighton Sports Complex.
Creighton played 10 straight games at home (March 20-April 14) and posted a 7-3 mark during those contests.
The Bluejays finished last season hitting .301 at home with 31 extra-base hits, including 16 home runs.Â
The Bluejays did not play a home game in 2020 because of the season ending on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Creighton posted 13 wins at home in 2018, the most in a single season since claiming 19 home victories in 2008.
Year-by-year home records since 2014:
2022: 2-8
2021: 8-3
2020: No home games
2019: 5-6
2018: 13-6
2017: 6-6
2016: 7-8
2015: 4-9
2014: 9-6
HRs Hit At CU Sports Complex By Year
HRs (CU HRs) Number of Games   Year  Â
32 (14)Â Â Â 10Â Â Â 2022
34 (16)Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 2021
--      No home games   2020
33 (15)Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 2019
47Â Â Â (25)Â Â Â 19Â Â Â 2018
29Â Â Â (13)Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 2017
26Â Â Â (9)Â Â Â 15Â Â Â 2016
41Â Â Â (16)Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 2015
29Â Â Â (17)Â Â Â 15Â Â Â 2014
Give Me Four
Emma Rosonke went 4-for-4 in the series opener against St. John's on April 1, becoming the ninth Bluejay since joining the BIG EAST 2014 to record 4-hits in a single game.Â
Rosonke was the first person to collect four hits in a game since Ashley Cantu had four hits against Illinois Chicago on March 7, 2021.
Rosonke has seven multiple-hit games this season, but this was her first career game as a Bluejay with four hits.Â
Speaking of four, Rosonke also leads the Bluejays with six, four-RBI games this season. She is the only Bluejay since at least 1999 to have at least five four-RBI games in a single season.Â
RBI Queen
Sophomore Emma Rosonke collected her sixth four RBI game of the year with a perfect 4-for-4 outing in the Bluejays 7-1 win over St. John's on April 1. She also collected four-RBI in all three games against Providence back on March 25-27.
The Omaha native ranks 25th in the country with 1.11 RBI per game and ranks tied for second in the BIG EAST with 41 RBI this season, including 24 during conference action.Â
Rosonke is the only Bluejay since at least 1999 to have at least five four-RBI games in a season. The last person to have four-games of 4+ RBI was Jen Daro during the 2016 season.Â
Rosonke currently has 11 multi-RBI games which is also the most in a season since Kiara Mills also had 11 multi-RBI games in 2019.Â
Magic Number 5
Creighton is 12-7 this season when scoring five runs or more, outscoring their opponents 144-101 during those 19 games.
In the last 20 seasons, Creighton is 333-46 when scoring five or more runs. In the same time span Creighton is 225-364-3 when scoring four runs or fever.Â
Creighton is also 121-28 when scoring five or more runs in a game since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.Â
In that same time frame the Bluejays are 68-4 when scoring eight or more runs, having a 12-game streak snapped following a 9-8 loss to St. John's on April 2.Â
Rosonke Earns BE Player of the Week
Sophomore Emma Rosonke earned BIG EAST Softball Player of the Week honors, the league announced on March 28. Rosonke was the second Bluejay this season to earn the BIG EAST Player of the Week honor, joining Cayla Nielsen (March 7).
Rosonke continued her dominance at the plate, collected 12 RBI over the three-game weekend against Providence to extend her league-leading total out to 33 RBI on the season. The Omaha native finished the series with a .444 batting average (4-of-9) with a pair of three-run home runs and a grand slam. Â
She started the weekend by going 2-for-2 with a grand slam home run in the bottom of the fourth to power the Jays to a 10-0 run-rule win. It was the Bluejays first grand slam home run since Jayci Foster hit one at Georgetown on March 23, 2019.
Rosonke then collected four more RBI on a three-run home run and a groundout on Saturday, March 26, as she went 1-for-3 from the plate in the 6-7 win, before capping off the weekend with her second three-run home run of the series and another four RBI in the game on March 27.Â
One-Hit Wonder
Junior Kate Mullally nearly tossed the 25th no-hitter under head coach Brent Vigness on March 25 in Creighton's 10-0 run-rule win over Providence. Mullally allowed just one hit in the top of the fifth inning with one out, breaking up the no-hitter.
The Sward native tossed all 5.0 innings and struck out four batters while earning her first career shutout and her second win in as many games.Â
The last Bluejay to allow just one hit or less was Kiele Miller against LIU on March 6, 2020. That same season, junior Mikayla Santa Cruz also tossed a five inning one-hitter against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 28.Â
Rosonke's Grand Day
Sophomore Emma Rosonke powered the Bluejays to a 10-0 win over Providence on March 25 with a grand slam home run over the right field wall.Â
It was the first grand slam for Rosonke in her career and it was the first grand slam for the Bluejays since Jayci Foster hit one at Georgetown on March 23, 2019.
Rosonke's Home Run Derby
Emma Rosonke leads the team in home runs this season with nine and hit a home run in three straight games after driving in 12 runs on two three-run home runs and a grand slam against Providence on March 25-27.
Since joining the BIG EAST there has only been five Bluejays to hit home runs in three straight games. Rosonke is the first to do so since Kiara Mills hit home runs in three straight game last season.Â
The other three Bluejays to hit home runs in three consecutive games did so during the 2014 season. Bri Lingl hit a home run in three straight games from April 8 to April 12 and Liz Dike hit home runs in three straight games from March 19 to March 22, while Alexis Cantu hit home runs in four straight games from April 8 to April 12.Â
Vejvoda Earns Spot on BE Honor Roll
Sophomore Madeline Vejvoda earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on March 21 after posting a .500 (6-of-12) batting average with six hits, one double and three RBI to help the Bluejays to their first BIG EAST win of the season at Seton Hall.
Vejvoda went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI, while also drawing a walk to lead the Bluejays offense in the second game of a doubleheader on March 19. She wrapped up the weekend with another two hits including an RBI and a run scored as the Jays took down Seton Hall 4-2 in extra-innings.Â
Mullally Shines in Circle At Seton Hall
Junior Kate Mullally entered the matchup with Seton Hall have thrown 8.0 total innings this season and just 31.0 innings for her whole career in 17 appearances.Â
The Nebraska native shined throughout the weekend in South Orange though, firing 19.2 innings while striking out 12 batters over the three-game series.Â
Mullally came in for relief in the first game of the doubleheader and tossed 5.0 innings and allowed just one run. She came back in during game two of the doubleheader and provided 5.1 innings of relief while striking out a then career-high five batters.Â
Her performances on Saturday, March 19 gave her the starting nod on Sunday, March 20, where she tossed a career-high 9.0 innings, collected a career-high six strikeouts, and earned her first career win as a Bluejays.Â
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Junior Kiara Mills etched her name into the top 10 of Creighton's hit by pitch record list at Seton Hall on March 20.
Mills was hit by a pitch in each of the three games against Seton Hall, pushing her into 10th on the all-time hit by pitch record board with 14. Mills added to that number on April 22 when she was hit by a pitch against Butler.
The West Covina, Calif. native currently sits in 10th on the all-time hit by pitch list, while also being tied for eighth with a .326 batting average and is two home runs away from entering the top-10 list for home runs.
(Career charts listed on page 6)
Home Runs Tell The TaleÂ
Creighton is 9-10 this season when not allowing a home run but is just 5-15 when allowing a long ball.
The Bluejays are also 10-12 when hitting at least one home run and 4-13 when not hitting a homer.Â
During Creighton's 14 wins this season, the Bluejays have hit 14 home runs and have allowed just seven.Â
Comparatively, Creighton has allowed 23 home runs during its 24 losses this season.Â
Walking Off With Victories
The Bluejays have had three walk-off wins this season, including March 26th 7-6 win of Providence.
Junior Kiara Mills lifted the Bluejays to their third walk off win of the season by following a lead-off double by Kailey Wilson with an RBI double of her own.Â
The Bluejays have two more walk-off wins this season as sophomore Emma Rosonke belted her first home run and the Jays first walk-off of the season with a three-run home run over the right centerfield wall to give Creighton a 9-1 win over Abilene Christian (Feb. 13).
Junior Sam Alm added another walk-off hit on March 5 in the Bluejays 14-6 run-rule victory over Oakland at the Evansville Softball Invitational.Â
Alm laced a single into right field, which allowed Cayla Nielsen to score from third as the Bluejays captured the victory and their second walk-off win of the season.
The Bluejays owned five walk-off wins in 2021, including three walk-off home runs. Below is a list of Creighton's walk-off wins during the 2021 and 2022 season.
Score   Play (player)   Date
7-6 vs. Providence   RBI-2B (Mills)   3/26/22
14-6 (6) vs. Oakland   RBI-Single (Alm)   3/5/22Â
9-1 (5) vs Abilene Christian   3-RBI HR (Rosonke)   2/13/22
10-2 (6) vs. UICÂ Â Â RBI-1B (Gappa)Â Â Â 3/5/21
4-3 vs. Northern Kentucky   2-RBI HR (Wilson)   3/6/21
6-5 vs. Seton Hall   Reach on E (Rosonke)   4/3/21
4-3 vs. St. John's   Solo HR (Mills)   4/10/21
12-9 vs. St. John's   3-RBI HR (Wilson)   4/11/21
*Bold Indicates happened this year.
Free Softball
Creighton has played four extra-inning contests so far this season.
The Bluejays have gone 2-2 in those four contests, including a 3-1 eight inning win over Abilene Christian (Feb. 12) and a 4-2 nine inning win over Seton Hall (March 20).
Since joining the BIG EAST, Creighton is 13-10 in extra-inning games, including a 5-4 mark in conference contest. The Bluejays are 67-94-2 all-time in extra-inning games.Â
Nielsen Named BIG EAST Player of the Week
Sophomore Cayla Nielsen earned BIG EAST Player of the Week honors, the league announced on Monday, March 7. The Blair, Nebraska native hit 9-of-18 (.500) from the plate with four RBI, two doubles and one home run to help the Bluejays to a 3-2 record at the Evansville Softball Invitational on March 4-6.
Nielsen led the BIG EAST in runs scored and was tied for the BIG EAST lead in hits with nine, while extending her on-base streak out to 13-games.Â
The sophomore started all five games in centerfield for Creighton and scored the Bluejays lone run in the Evansville Softball Invitational opener against Bowling Green when she launched her third home run of the season over the left field wall.Â
She finished the opening day of the tournament by going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored to help Creighton to a 11-2 win over Green Bay. She then went 2-for-5 and scored three runs in the Jays 14-6 triumph over Oakland on Saturday afternoon, before capping off the second day of competition by going 3-for-3 from the plate with three runs scored as the Bluejays run-ruled Green Bay 8-0 in five innings.
League-Opener History
Creighton is 5-3 in BIG EAST openers and has won 12 of its last 16 conference opening-games , including wins in the final seven Missouri Valley Conference lid-lifters.Â
The last time Creighton opened conference play at home was in 2016 when they hosted Providence for a three-game set. The Bluejays won two games as the third was cancelled due to inclement weather in the Omaha area.
The Bluejays are 23-13 all-time in their first conference game of the season during stints in the HCAC (2-3), WAC (1-1), MVC (15-6) and BIG EAST (5-3).
Nielsen's On-Base Streak Reached 13
Sophomore Cayla Nielsen reached base in 13 consecutive games entering March 6th game against Evansville, which was the longest since Ashley Cantu reached base safely in 21 consecutive games in 2019.
During her 13-game on-base streak, Nielsen hit .457 (19-for-42) with four doubles, two triples, three home runs, 12 RBI and scored 19 runs.
Nielsen also had a seven-game hit streak that was snapped on Feb. 27 against South Dakota State.Â
The Nebraska native has started all 38 games in center field this season and is second on the team lead with 38 hits, while scoring a team-high 33 runs. Nielsen also has 10 doubles, two triples and four home runs this season.
Offensive Outburst
The Creighton offense produced 11 runs on 13 hits during a six-inning victory over Green Bay (March 4).
Cayla Nielsen, Sam Alm and Emma Rosonke each scored a pair of runs, as Nielsen and Rosonke each went 3-for-4 from the plate.Â
Rosonke set a then career-highs with three hits while also collecting four of the Bluejays 10 RBI.
Creighton followed their performance against Green Bay up with a slugfest against Oakland on March 5.Â
The Bluejays set season-highs in hits (15), runs (14), RBI (13), doubles (5) and total bases (23).
Nielsen and Kiara Mill each crossed the plate three times, while Alm and Kailey Wilson each scored two runs.Â
Nine different Bluejays posted at least one hit while Mills and Shayna Dahlen led the Bluejays offense with three hits apiece.Â
Mills drove in a season-high three runs while launching her third home run of the season.
The Bluejays' offensive spark against the Golden Grizzles marked the most runs scored in a single game since February 8, 2020, when Creighton set the single-game record with 24 runs scored against Toledo. Â
Hit Parade
Creighton's 15 hits against Oakland (March 5) marked a new season-high and was the most hits in a single game by the Bluejays since February 8, 2020, when the Jays had 18 in their 24-1 win over Toledo.
Since joining the BIG EAST in 2014, Creighton has recorded 15 or more hits in a single game just four times.Â
Date    Opponent   Hits
3/5/22   vs. Oakland   15
2/8/20   vs. Toledo   18
4/17/18   Kansas City   15
3/23/16   Providence   16
Playing At Home In February
Creighton was originally scheduled to open play at home on March 11 against Georgetown, but due to inclement weather in Texas the Bluejays had to adjust their plans.
Those plans and above average temperatures in Omaha, brought South Dakota State to the CU Sports Complex for a rare February home contest for the Bluejays.
It was just the fourth time in Creighton softball history that the Bluejays played a home game in February.Â
February 27th doubleheader with South Dakota State was also the first February home game since the Bluejays hosted Nebraska on February 24, 1996, in the season opener.Â
Creighton is 4-6 all-time in home games played in February.Â
Home Opener History
Creighton is 12-3 during its last 15 home-openers, and 17-11 overall under head coach Brent Vigness.
Creighton owns a 30-15 record (.667) in home openers, including wins in 12 of the last 16 years (includes 2020 when Creighton did not play a home game).
The Bluejays are slated to play 7 more home games this season, including BIG EAST series against Villanova and DePaul.
Rosonke Listed on BE Honor Roll
Sophomore Emma Rosonke earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Feb. 21 after her performances at the Cardinal Classic.
Rosonke tied for the most RBI in the BIG EAST with eight, while hitting .400 at the Cardinal Classic with two home runs and two doubles while amassing 14 total bases to help Creighton to a 4-1 weekend.Â
She led the Bluejays by going 2-for-4 with four RBI, a double and a towering 2-run home run over the left center field fence in the weekend opener against Ohio.
She followed the opening game performance by delivering an RBI double, a run and a walk in the Jays back-and-forth 8-7 win over host Lamar.
The Omaha native continued her well-rounded performance by going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run to straight away center field during Creighton 9-8 victory over Ohio.
Alm, Manthie, Santa Cruz and Wiggins Make UTEP Invitational All-Tournament Team
Sam Alm, Brittney Manthie, Mikayla Santa Cruz and Alexis Wiggins each earned spots on the UTEP Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Alm led the Bluejays with 10 RBI, while posting a .400 batting average with six hits. She also scored twice and stole a base.Â
Manthie led the Bluejays with nine hits, a .643 batting average and scored seven runs.
The junior went 3-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base to lead the Bluejays to a 6-2 win over Idaho State on Feb. 11 before adding a pair of hits and another run scored in the night cap against UTEP to finish opening day with a .833 batting average (5-for-6).
Santa Cruz went 2-1 in the circle, tossing a pair of complete games with 17 strikeouts in 15.2 innings of work, while Wiggins also pitched 13.0 innings, posting a 0.69 ERA with 17 strikeouts. The freshman collected her first win as a Bluejays, tossing all five innings in a 9-1 win over Abilene Christian on Feb. 13. Wiggins struck out five while allowing just three total hits in the win.
Santa Cruz Nabs BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week
Mikayla Santa Cruz was named the BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week for the first time in her career, the league announced on Feb. 14.Â
Santa Cruz tossed a pair of complete game to post a 1.15 ERA, while allowed just two earned runs in 15.2 innings of work and struck out 17 batters during three appearances to earn a spot on the UTEP Invitational All-Tournament team in El Paso, Texas.
The Tucson, Arizona native went the distance, allowing an earned run on five hits while notching six strikeouts in a 6-2 win over Idaho State to open the 2022 season.
The Bluejay junior returned to the circle in the afternoon of Feb 12 when she tossed her second complete game of the season. Santa Cruz gave up just one run on six hits and struck out nine as the Jays captured an eight-inning 3-1 victory over Abilene Christian.
Wiggins Secures First BIG EAST Freshman of the Week Honor
Alexis Wiggins captured the first BIG EAST Freshman of the Week award following her performance at the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas.
Wiggins posted a BIG EAST-best 0.69 ERA over 13 innings of work while also striking out 17 batters. The Nebraska native collected her first win as a Bluejays, tossing all five innings in the 9-1 win over Abilene Christian on Feb. 13. Wiggins struck out five while allowing just three total hits in the win.
She did not allow a run in 3.2 innings of work and struck out eight batters in her first collegiate appearance against UTEP on Feb. 11 before earning her first collegiate start on Feb. 12 against UTEP.
Wiggins struck out four and allowed just one earned run on six hits over 4.1 innings of work, before having to leave the game after taking a liner off her leg in the bottom half of the fifth inning.
Mathie Earns Spot on BIG EAST Honor Roll
Junior Brittney Manthie earned BIG EAST Honor Roll recognition after collecting a BIG EAST-best nine hits on 9-for-14 hitting (.643 batting average) and scoring seven runs to also earn All-Tournament honors at the UTEP Invitational.
The Minnesota native started the weekend by going 3-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base to lead the Bluejays to a 6-2 win over Idaho State. Manthie added a pair of hits and another run scored in the night cap to finished opening day with a .833 batting average (5-for-6).
Manthie continued her dominance at the plate by going 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored in a 3-1 win over Abilene Christian on Feb. 12. Manthie went just 1-for-4 in the night cap against UTEP but did draw another walk and added another run to her impressive performance.
She ended the weekend by going 1-for-2 and scored two more times as Creighton run-ruled Abilene Christian, 9-1, on Feb. 13. Manthie also drew her fourth walk of the weekend and reached base on a fielder's choice during her lone plate appearance without a hit.
Mills and Gappa Hit Back-to-back Triples
Kiara Mills and Alyssa Gappa hit back-to-back triples in the season-opener against Idaho State on Feb. 11.
It was the first time that two Bluejays hit consecutive triples since at least 1999.
The Bluejays have hit two triples in the same game just 11 times since the 1999 season. During those 11 game, only two other time have both triples came in the same inning.
Below is a list of all the times Creighton has hit two triples in a game since 1999.
No.   Opponent   Date
2* !   vs. Idaho State   2/11/22
2   vs. Niagara   3/11/20
2   vs. Kansas City   4/17/18
2*   vs. Weber State   2/25/17
2   vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff   2/11/12
2   vs. Detroit   2/13/09
2   vs. Alcorn State   2/23/08
2   at Northern Colorado   3/10/07
2   vs. Texas-Arlington   2/22/04
2   at Kansas City   3/31/99
4*   at Bellevue   2/8/99
* - Indicates happened in same inning
! - Indicates happened consecutively
Starting On The Right Foot
Creighton opened the season with a 3-2 record at the UTEP Invitational during the opening weekend for the fifth time since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.
The four other years the Jays posted a winning record during the opening weekend were in 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2020.
Creighton qualified for the BIG EAST Tournament during both the 2014 and 2018 season and were on pace to make their third BIG EAST Tournament before ending their season early due to Covid.
2022: 3-2 in El Paso, Texas
2021: 0-3 at Wichita State
2020: 3-2 in San Antonio, Texas
2019: 1-4 in Las Cruces, N.M.
2018: 3-2 in Las Vegas, Nev.
2017: 1-4 in Tempe, Ariz.
2016: 1-4 in Tempe, Ariz.
2015: 3-2 in Tempe, Ariz.
2014: 3-2 in Tempe, Ariz.
The last time Creighton finished with fewer than two losses in the opening weekend of the season was in 2012 when the Bluejays swept a four-game series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Arkansas. Creighton started the 2012 season with seven consecutive victories.Â
The last time Creighton opened the year with a perfect showing at a tournament was in 2007 when Creighton went 5-0 at the UCA Spring Clash in Conway, Arkansas.
This year marked the fourth time the Bluejays are in Texas for the opening weekend since 2004. Creighton opens the 2022 season with three straight five-game tournaments in Texas, the most tournaments in a single state to start the year in school history.
Vigness Reaches 800 Creighton Wins
Head coach Brent Vigness owns an 818-635-4 record at the helm of the Bluejays and is the only Creighton coach to reach the 800-win mark during a coaching tenure.
He earned his 800th win at Creighton last season with a 6-5 win over Seton Hall on April 3.
Vigness is one of five active Creighton coaches with more than 350 wins as a Bluejay head coach.Â
A Central College (Iowa) grad, Vigness took over for the Bluejays prior to the 1994 season after spending five years as head coach at Assumption College in Worchester, Massachusetts.
Coach, Sport     Wins (as of 4/28/22)
Brent Vigness, Softball   818*
Ed Servais, Baseball    610*
Mary Higgins, Softball    564
Tom Lilly, Men's & Women's Tennis    498*
Kirsten Bernthal Booth, Volleyball    414*
Jim Flanery, Women's Basketball    379*
Ed Hubbs, Men's & Women's Tennis    347
Dana Altman, Men's Basketball    327
* still active coaching at Creighton
Bluejays Picked 4th In Preseason Poll
The Creighton softball team earned the fourth position with 41 points in the 2022 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on January 20..
Villanova, the reigning BIG EAST champions, earned the top spot in the poll with 62 points, including six first-place votes. DePaul received the remaining three first-place votes and ranked second with 58 points.Â
UConn took the third spot with 48 points while Creighton came in behind the Huskies with 41. Butler (39), St. John's (26), Seton Hall (22), Providence (20) and Georgetown (8) rounded out the bottom half of the 2022 edition of the preseason coaches' poll.
Creighton finished 2021 with an 8-7 record in league play to place fourth (14-14 overall). A bulk of the Bluejays 2021 team, including All-BIG EAST First Team selection Kailey Wilson returns to the lineup this season.
Five true freshmen, one graduate transfer and a Division II transfer joined the program for the 2022 season.Â
For just the third time since Creighton joined the BIG EAST prior to the 2014 season, this year's conference schedule will include three-day weekends with one game on each day. The Bluejays' first BIG EAST series is set for March 11-13 as Creighton hosts Georgetown in their home-opener.
2020 BIG EAST SoftballÂ
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Villanova (6) - 62
2. DePaul (3) - 58
3. UConn - 48
4. Creighton - 41
5. Butler - 39
6. St. John's -26
7. Seton Hall - 22
8. Providence - 20
9. Georgetown - 8
() - First-place votes
