Softball Slotted Sixth In BIG EAST Preseason Poll
1/16/2024 1:00:00 PM | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. – The Creighton softball team was picked sixth in the 2024 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Villanova was picked to claim the regular-season title with four first-place votes and 59 points overall. The defending BIG EAST regular-season champions, UConn, was picked second with 58 points and three first-place votes, while the reigning BIG EAST Tournament champions, Seton Hall, claimed the final two first-place votes and 53 points for third. DePaul came in fourth with 40 points, while Butler and Creighton rounded out the top six with 37 and 27 points respectfully. St. John's is predicted to finish in sixth place with 21 points, followed by Georgetown (15 points) and Providence (14 points).
Creighton returns the bulk of its 2023 roster, led by Cayla Nielsen's .395 average at the dish. Nielsen was a Unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season, hitting .400 during BIG EAST contests. The fifth-year senior led the Bluejays in hits (62), slugging percentage (.650), on-base percentage (.486), runs scored (43) and stolen bases (6), while ranking second on the team in doubles (11), walks (24) and RBI (33). Additionally, Nielsen also ranked third on the team with nine home runs.
Sophomore Lily West also returns to the Bluejays lineup this season after a standout freshman season behind the plate. The Choctaw, Okla. native was one of only two Bluejays to start all 53 games last season, where she recorded 58 hits, the third most in a single season by a freshman in program history. West also ranked second on the team with a .335 batting average, while racking up 10 doubles and 26 runs scored.
In the circle, the Bluejays return Natalia Puchino, Alexis Wiggins and Jena Lawrence to anchor the rotation. Puchino is Creighton's leading returner with a 13-15 record in 151 innings. She closed the 2023 season with a 3.89 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 34 total appearances. Wichita State transfer Kenzie Schopfer and freshman Brooklyn Patchen and Brooke Shifflett will be expected to contribute in the circle for the Bluejays this season.
Creighton opens the 2024 season at the Texas State Tournament in San Marcos, Texas on Feb. 9-11. The Bluejays play former Missouri Valley Conference foe Southern Illinois on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. to begin the new campaign. The home portion of the schedule begins on March 13 when the Bluejays welcome Rider to the CU Sports Complex for a midweek doubleheader.
BIG EAST play gets rolling on March 8 when Creighton travels to Queens for a three-game weekend series at St. John's. The top six finishers in the BIG EAST regular-season standing will qualify for the BIG EAST Championships presented by Jeep, with the winner receiving the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
2024 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Villanova (4) - 59
- UConn (3) - 58
- Seton Hall (2) - 53
- DePaul - 40
- Butler - 37
- Creighton - 27
- St. John's - 21
- Georgetown – 15
- Providence - 14
