Softball Closes Out Non-Conference Play With Crosstown Battle Against Omaha on Tuesday

Game #44: Omaha Mavericks (30-9) at Creighton Bluejays (25-18)
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 • 5 p.m. • Omaha, Neb. • Creighton Sports Complex
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Creighton (25-18) closes out non-conference play with a midweek clash with crosstown rival Omaha (30-9) on Tuesday at 5 p.m. from the Creighton Sports Complex.

Follow The Games

Live stats for Tuesday's contest will be provided through StatBroadcast, while a live stream will be available on FloSports.

Links to video and live stats can be found on the Creighton Softball schedule page on GoCreighton.com.

Scoring updates and infographics will be provided via Twitter at @BluejaySoftball.

Bluejays not Blue Jays

Creighton's mascot is the Bluejays or Bluejay, one word. Conversely the MLB Toronto team is the Blue Jays.

Scouting Creighton (25-18, 9-6 BE)

Creighton enters their final non-conference game of the season with a 25-18 overall record after dropping two of three at UConn this past weekend.

Offensively, Creighton is hitting .270 with 59 doubles, four triples and 23 home runs while pushing across 180 runs at the plate for an average of 4.19 runs per contest.

The Bluejays are led by fifth-year senior Madeline Vejvoda and her .350 batting average on 43 hits, which includes 10 doubles. She has also drove in 26 runs while scoring 22 of her own runs.

Fellow senior Cayla Nielsen follows closely behind with a .343 batting average on a team-best 49 hits, including a team-high 12 doubles, three home runs, and 11 walks while scoring 23 total runs.

Sophomore Ella Dalton is also hitting better than .300 this spring, holding a .320 batting average at the plate on 32 hits, with a team-best five stolen bases. Sophomore Lily West has also provided a .311 batting average with nine doubles and a team-high 25 runs scored.

Senior Emma Rosonke is right behind with a .255 average on 25 base hits, including three doubles, a triple and two home runs, while freshman Sydney Potter has also provided some power to the Bluejay lineup this season. Potter has collected a team-high 28 RBI on a team-best nine home runs and seven doubles.

In the circle, Creighton has posted a 3.74 ERA with 216 strikeouts in 271.2 innings of work.

Sophomore Natalia Puchino has been incredible in the circle this season, owning a 18-4 overall record. The Colo. native has thrown a team-high 127.1 innings while recording a BIG EAST-best 117 strikeouts and a league-leading 1.98 ERA in the circle.

Meanwhile, junior Kenzie Schopfer has logged a respectable 4.31 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 74.2 innings pitched this season. Senior Jena Lawrence has also posted a 2-4 record with a 4.34 ERA in 29.0 innings pitched, while freshman Brooklyn Patchen holds a 9.26 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 22.2 innings of work.

Head coach Krista Wood is in her second season with the Bluejays and holds a 555-368 career record, including a 47-49 mark at Creighton.

Scouting Omaha (30-9)

Winners of 19 of their last 21 contest, Omaha enters Tuesday's battle with a 30-9 overall record.

The Mavericks held a nation's leading 17-game winning streak, before falling to St. Thomas 5-3 in 8-innings on April 5. Omaha is coming off a series win over South Dakota, but did lose the series finale to the Coyotes, 5-1.

Led by graduate Kamryn Meyer in the circle, Omaha owns a 2.75 ERA with 224 strikeouts in 257.o innings of work this season. Meyer paces the Mavericks with 154 strikeouts and a 2.17 ERA in 122.2 innings, while senior Sydney Nuismer owns a 2.37 ERA with 50 punchouts in 97.1 innings of work.

Offensively, the Mavericks have five regular starters hitting over .310, led by junior Maggie O'Brien (.364) and graduate student Sydney Ross (.363). O'Brien paces the team with 48 hits, while Ross owns a team-best 11 doubles and 31 RBI.

Fellow graduate student Lynsey Tucker follows closely behind with a .331 average but has recorded a team-high 34 runs scored and ranks second on the team with 41 hits. Veterans Alex Olson and Sydney Thomason are also hitting .322 and .312 respectfully for the Mavericks this season.

As a team, Omaha is hitting .294, with 61 doubles, 12 triples and 19 home runs while scoring 205 runs.

Omaha was picked to finish second in the Summit League Preseason Coaches' Poll as head coach Mike Heard is in his third season with the Mavericks.

Series History Against Mavericks

Creighton leads the all-time series against Omaha, 29-13.

The Bluejays and Mavericks met earlier this season with Omaha snagging a 5-2 victory on April 2. Omaha has won four out of the last five meetings, but did split a pair of contests last season.

The Bluejays are 20-6 all-time in games played at Creighton, including a 5-3 win at the CU Sports Complex last spring.

Krista Wood's Success Against The Mavericks

Head coach Krista Wood is 24-12 all-time against Omaha as a head coach.

Wood's complied a 19-8 record against the Mavericks while at SDSU, which including wins in 13 of her last 15 meetings. She also recorded a 4-10 record against Omaha while serving as the head coach at Wayne State College. Coach Wood is 1-2 against the Mavericks as the head coach at Creighton.

Wood's Returns To Alma Mater

One of the greatest pitchers in Omaha softball history, makes her return to the field on Tuesday when head coach Krista Wood takes the Bluejays across town to battle her alma mater Omaha.

Wood's, a 2003 graduate of Omaha, helped the Mavericks to the NCAA Division II national championship in 2001 as a sophomore and still holds Maverick career records in wins (106), appearances (147), games started (124), complete games (110) and innings pitched (858.1).

She also owns or shares single-season school records in win (32 in 2002), ERA (0.76 in 2001), saves (5 in 2003) and shutouts (15 in 2022) and was recently inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 2020.

Home-Grown Talent

A combined 22 players on Tuesday's rosters hail from the state of Nebraska. Creighton has 10 players from Nebraska, while Omaha has 12. Of the 22, 13 are from the Omaha metro area.

Milestone Watch

- Cayla Nielsen is one run shy of tying Jean Tierney (130) for second on Creighton's all-time runs scored list.

- Cayla Nielsen is also just four runs shy of becoming Creighton's all-time runs scored leader in program history.

- Cayla Nielsen owns 191 career hits and is seven base hits shy of moving into a tie with Melanie Dorsey for 10th on Creighton's all-time career hits list.

- Nielsen owns 36 career doubles and is four doubles shy of tying Kelly Brookhart for fourth on Creighton's all-time career doubles list.

- Nielsen needs just seven walks to tie Karla Hughes (69) for 10th on Creighton's all-time career walks list.

- Alyssa Gappa owns 21 career hit-by-pitches, four shy of moving into a tie with Michelle Koch and Lauren Cisneros (25) for fifth all-time for hit-by-pitches in a career.

- Emma Rosonke has driven in 101 runs over the course of her Bluejays career. She is just six RBI shy of tying Lauren Cisneros (107) for 10th on Creighton's all-time career Runs Batted In list.

- Emma Rosonke owns 97 career hits and is three hits shy of recording her 100th career hits. With four more hits, Rosonke will also become just the 12th Bluejays in program history to record 100 hits and 100 RBI in their career.

Nielsen Chasing Runs Scored Record

Senior Cayla Nielsen is not only solidifying her name as one of the greatest Bluejays to wear a Creighton uniform, but she is also chasing Creighton history.

Nielsen, a Blair, Neb. native, is just four runs shy of becoming the all-time runs scored record holder in Creighton softball history. The fifth-year senior has scored 129 career runs, sitting in a tie for third with Heidi Geier and Ashley Cantu on the Bluejays career runs scored record list.

Throughout the season, Nielsen has surpassed the greats of Liz Dike, Bailey Dawson, Renae Sinkler-O'Gorman, Christy Lunceford and Sue Frederick.

RUNS SCORED

No. Name R Years

1. Stacey Rybar 132 2001-04

2. Jean Tierney 130 1980-83

3. Cayla Nielsen 129 2020-pr.

Heidi Geier 129 1996-99

Ashley Cantu 129 2017-21

6. Sue Frederick 128 1986-89

7. Christy Lunceford 122 1994-97

8. Renae Sinkler 120 2007-10

9. Bailey Dawson 119 2006-09

10. Liz Dike 118 2012-15

Nielsen's On-Base Streak Reaches 18-Games

Junior Cayla Nielsen has reached base safely in 18 straight games dating back to March 16, which is Creighton's longest streak this season and the longest since Kailey Wilson reached base safely in 19 consecutive contest in 2022.

If Nielsen was to reach base in the next two games, she will be the first Bluejays to reach base safely in 20 straight games since Ashley Cantu recorded a 21-game on-base streak in 2019.

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)

Cayla Nielsen 18 (2024)

Cayla Nielsen 17 (2023)

During Nielsen's 18-game on-base streak, she is hitting .414 (24-of-58) with five doubles, four walks, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored.

The Nebraska native has played in all 43 games this season and has logged a .343 batting average (49-of-143) with a team-best 12 doubles and three home runs from the leadoff spot.

Nielsen Etches Name In CU Record Book

A staple in the Bluejays starting lineup since arriving on campus in 2020, senior Cayla Nielsen continues to etch her name in the Creighton record books.

Nielsen currently ranks seventh on Creighton's all-time career batting average list with a .333 average.

She has also moved into a tie for fifth on Creighton's all-time career doubles list with Abby Johnson and Jody Schwartz after recording a double in the series opener against UConn last weekend. With just four more doubles, Nielsen will move into a tie with Bluejay legend Kelly Brookhart (40) for fourth in Creighton history for doubles.

BATTING AVERAGE (minimum 250 at-bats)

No. Avg. Name H-AB Years

1. .404 Anne Timmermann 116-287 1977-79

2. .382 Ashley Cantu 218-570 2017-21

3. .379 Christy Lunceford 245-646 1994-97

4. .358 Heidi Geier 243-678 1996-99

5. .353 Kailey Wilson 168-476 2019-23

6. .336 Renae Sinkler 201-599 2007-10

7. .333 Cayla Nielsen 191-574 2020-Pr.

8. .331 Kiara Mills 123-372 2019-22

9. .328 Melanie Dorsey 198-604 2002-05

10. .326 Christine Fukumoto 110-337 2004-05

11. .325 Mary Yori 176-542 1980-82

DOUBLES

No. Name 2B Years

1. Christy Lunceford 51 1994-97

2. Frenchy Nix 47 1998-01

3. Stacey Rybar 43 2001-04 4. Kelly Brookhart 40 1988-91

5. Cayla Nielsen 36 2020-pr.

Abby Johnson 36 2002-05

Jody Schwartz 36 1985-88

8. Kailey Wilson 35 2019-23

Bailey Dawson 35 2006-09

10. Erin Fraser 34 1995-98 Dede Pendleton 34 1991-95

All Puchino Does is Win, Win, Win

After guiding the Bluejays pitching staff to 13 wins in the circle last season, sophomore Natalia Puchino has been red hot for the Bluejays in 2024.

The Milliken, Colo. native is 18-4 with three saves in the circle for the Bluejays this season. She currently leads the BIG EAST with a 1.98 ERA and 117 strikeouts in a league-leading 127.1 innings of work this season.

Puchino's 18 victories in the circle this season are the most by a Bluejay pitcher in a single season since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.

She sits just two wins shy of tying Bluejay greats Tammy Nielsen and Kelly Brookhart for 10th on the single-season wins list.

WINS

No. Name W Year

1. Tara Oltman 32 2010

2. Tara Oltman 31 2008

3. Tara Oltman 29 2009

4. Tammy Nielsen 28 2005

Tammy Nielsen 28 2004

6. Tara Oltman 26 2007

7. Kelly Brookhart 23 1990

8. Becca Changstrom 22 2013

9. Marcia Jacobsen 21 1981

10. Tammy Nielsen 20 2003

Kelly Brookhart 20 1989

- Marina Watson 19 1985

- Natalia Puchino 18 2024

Emma's Keeping it 100

Senior Emma Rosonke recorded the 100th RBI of her Bluejay career last weekend delivering a walk-off RBI doubles in the Bluejays' 8-7 series opening win over Villanova.

Rosonke is just the 12th Bluejay in program history to record 100 career RBI and is now just six RBI away from tying Lauren Cisneros for 10th on Creighton's all-time career Runs Batted In list.

The Omaha native is also three hits way from joining the other 11 Bluejays as the only players ever to record 100 hits and 100 RBI in their Creighton careers.

RUNS BATTED IN

No. Name H RBI Years

1. Amy Baker 191 167 2010-13

2. Renae Sinkler 201 146 2007-10

3. Abby Johnson 172 144 2002-05

4. Kailey Wilson 168 125 2019-23

5. Bailey Dawson 183 121 2006-09

Stacey Rybar 194 121 2001-04

7. Liz Dike 180 119 2012-15

8. Jody Schwartz 179 113 1985-88

9. Christy Lunceford 245 110 1994-97

10. Lauren Cisneros 165 107 2003-06

11. Dede Pendleton 184 103 1991-95

12. Emma Rosonke 97 101 2021-Pr.

Magic Number 5

Since the turn of the century, Creighton has had tremendous success when scoring five or more runs. The Bluejays have continued that success this spring, improving to 16-0 when scoring at least five runs in a game. In those 16 games, Creighton has outscored their opponents, 136-40.

Over the last 24 seasons, Creighton is 368-54 when scoring five or more runs. In the same time span Creighton is 238-406-3 when scoring four runs or fever.

Creighton is also 153-36 when scoring five or more runs in a game since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.

During that same time frame the Bluejays are 89-4 when scoring eight or more runs, which included a perfect 11-0 record this season.

Free Softball

Creighton has played four extra-inning games this season, recording a 5-4 10-inning win over Pacific on Feb. 23 in the Libby Matson Tournament, an 8-7 come-from-behind win over Villanova on April 5 and a 2-1 win over UConn on April 13. The Bluejays did suffer a 4-3 loss in 8-innings at Seton Hall on March 22.

Senior Cayla Nielsen lifted the Bluejays to the victory over Pacific, launching a two-run home run to straight away center in the top of the 10th innings to give Creighton a 5-3 lead.

The 10-inning game was the Bluejays longest game by innings since dropping a 3-2 10-inning contest to Omaha on April 21, 2021.

Fellow senior Emma Rosonke delivered the game-winning walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the eighth of the win over Villanova.

In the UConn victory, Creighton trailed 1-0 heading into the seventh before senior Madeline Vejvoda blasted her second home run of the season to send the contest to extras, where Nielsen lined a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth to secure the win.

Overall, Creighton is 92-96-2 all-time in extra innings games, including a 16-14 mark since joining the BIG EAST in 2014. Amongst the extra-inning games is the Bluejays NCAA record 31-inning contests against Utah on May 11, 1991, as well as the third longest game in NCAA History in the 25-inning affair against Utah just 21-minutes later on May 12, 1991.

Puchino Surpasses 200 Career Strikeouts

With a strikeout in the first inning against Georgetown on March 28, sophomore Natalia Puchino became just the 12th Bluejays in the last 25 years to record at least 200 career strikeouts.

Puchino is also the first Bluejay pitcher to record back-to-back 100 strikeout seasons since Sydnee Eck do so in the 2015-16 seasons.

Puchino's 230 career strikeouts are the most since Kiele Miller recorded 334 punchouts from 2018-2020. Last season, Puchino became just the fifth Bluejay to record 100 strikeouts in their freshman season.

Career Strikeouts Since 1999

Strikeouts Pitcher Year

1086 Tara Oltman 2007-10

914 Tammy Nielsen 2003-05

860 Becca Changstrom 2011-14

495 Shelli Mellegaard 1999-02

334 Kiele Miller 2018-20

282 Sydnee Eck 2015-16

278 Kristan Melton 2000-03

249 Stephanie Cortese 2003-06

243 Abby Johnson 2002-05

234 Micaela Whitney 2015-16

230 Natalia Puchino 2023-Pr.

211 Amanda Hess 2007-08

Scoring BIG

Creighton has manufactured some big scoring innings to help secure victories this season and it once again provided to be the difference maker that past weekend against Villanova.

The Bluejays have scored five or more runs in a single inning seven times this year, including five runs in the fifth inning of the Bluejays 8-7 come-from-behind victory over the Wildcats in the series opener on Friday. The Jays then closed out the series by scoring five runs in the third frame in route to a 12-4 run-rule win on Saturday.

Below is a list of BIG scoring innings for the Bluejays this season.

Date Opponents Runs Inn.

2/10 vs. UTSA 5 5th

3/2 vs. Loyola Chicago 6 7th

3/2 vs. St. Thomas 5 2nd

3/2 vs. St. Thomas 5 6th

3/8 at St. John's 7 5th

4/5 vs. Villanova 5 5th

4/6 vs. VIllanova 5 3rd

Saving the Day

Not only is sophomore Natalia Puchino a dominant starting pitcher, she also has been a force in relief for the Bluejay pitching staff this season.

On Friday, March 22, Puchino recorded her third save of the season, tossing 1.1 innings of scoreless relief to becoming the first Bluejay to record at least three saves in a single season since Tara Oltamn also recorded three saves in 2010.

Puchino's three saves are also tied for the sixth most in a single season in program history.

SAVES

No. Name SV Year

1. Candi Letts 9 1982

2. Tara Oltman 7 2008

3. Candi Letts 6 1981

Holly Hesse 6 1981

5. April Trupp 4 1987

6. 13 Times 3

last by Natalia Puchino 2024

Durable Vejvoda

Senior infielder Madeline Vejvoda continues to be a fixture in the Creighton starting lineup. Not only has she started every game this season, but she's reaching uncharted territory as she has now started in each of Creighton's last 158 consecutive games dating back to March 7, 2021.

Her 158 straight starts are the eighth longest active streak in the NCAA and the longest streak by a Bluejay since Kelsey Allender started 185 consecutive games from 2013-2016.

Over the course of her Bluejay career, Vejvoda has started 169 of the 182 games she has played in.

Lead Generally Safe

Creighton has done an excellent job protecting leads this season, recording a 19-4 record when scoring first. The Bluejays had won 13 straight games when scoring first before suffering a 9-3 loss at Seton Hall on March 24 in South Orange, N.J.

Creighton is 15-1 when leading after four innings, 14-1 when leading after five innings and 15-1 when leading after six innings this season.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Senior Alyssa Gappa continued her climb up the Bluejay ranks when she was hit by a pitch in the Bluejays' 5-2 victory over South Dakota on April 9.

Recording her 21st career hit-by-pitched, Gappa moved pass Mileah McKelvy and is currently tied with Sami Herbster for sixth on Creighton's all-time career hit-by-pitch record list. She is now just four HBP shy of tying Michelle for fifth on the leaderboard.

CREIGHTON CAREER HIT BY PITCH LIST

No. Name HBP Years

1. Jen Daro 39 2014-17

2. Michelle Graner 34 2007-10

3. Alexis Cantu 29 2012-14 4. Michelle Koch 25 2007-10

Lauren Cisneros 25 2003-06

6. Alyssa Gappa 21 2021-pr.

Sami Herbster 21 2000-03

8. Mileah McKelvy 19 2016-20

9. Liz McKewon 18 2008-11

10 Renae Sinkler 16 2007-10

Bluejays Keeping it Close

In 43 games this season Creighton has played 16 games decided by two or less runs, including 12 one-run contests.

The Bluejays are 11-5 overall during games decided by two runs or less this season. CU has posted one-run victories over Northwestern State (2-1), Kennesaw State (2-1), Colgate (3-2), Pacific (5-4), Northern Colorado (2-1), Seton Hall (3-2), Villanova (8-7) and UConn (2-1).

Last season, Creighton played 20 games decided by two runs or less, posting a 7-13 overall record, while recording a 4-9 record in one-run contests.

CU Sports Complex Turns Into Launching Pad

Creighton has also produced some big hitters throughout its powerful lineup over the years and that trend continues this season for the Bluejays. CU has blasted 22 home runs this season, with 15 of those coming from within the confines of the CU Sports Complex.

Freshman Sydney Potter leads the way with six home runs this season at home, while Cayla Nielsen, Emma Rosonke and Lily West have each recorded two homers at the CU Sports Complex this spring.

Since joining the BIG EAST in 2014, the most home runs a Creighton team has hit during a single season at home is 25 (2018).

Here's a look at the home runs totals at the CU Sports Complex since joining the BIG EAST.

HRs Hit At CU Sports Complex By Year

HRs (CU HRs) Number of Games Year

22 (15) 12 2024

41 (22) 16 2023

41 (19) 13 2022

34 (16) 11 2021

-- No home games 2020

33 (15) 11 2019

47 (25) 19 2018

29 (13) 12 2017

26 (9) 15 2016

41 (16) 13 2015

29 (17) 15 2014

Creighton At Home

Since joining the BIG EAST in 2014, the Bluejays own a 68-66 record at home.

The Bluejays are 10-2 this season at the CU Sports Complex, which includes victories over Rider, Northern Colorado, North Dakota, Villanova and South Dakota, as well as a BIG EAST series sweep over Georgetown.

Through 12 home games this season, Creighton is hitting .351 with 28 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 73 RBI, while the Bluejay pitching staff owns a 2.08 ERA with 68 strikeouts and is hold opponents to a .169 batting average.

Senior Madeline Vejvoda paces the Bluejays this season with a .500 batting average on 18 hits and seven doubles, while sophomore Lily West owns a .429 average and senior Cayla Nielsen holds a .415 average this season at the CU Sports Complex

A total of 22 home runs (15 by CU, seven by opponents) have been hits during 74.0 innings of action this season.

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:

2024: 10-2

2023: 5-11

2022: 3-10

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

Leadoff Power

Senior Cayla Nielsen has batted leadoff for the Bluejays in 37-of-the-43 game this season, providing a big bat for the Bluejays at the top of the order.

The Blair, Neb. native leads the Bluejays and ranks second in the BIG EAST with 49 hits this season, which includes a team-high 12 doubles and three home runs.

In CU's home opener against Rider, Nielsen opened the bottom of the first with a solo shot to deep center, becoming the first Bluejay since Ashley Cantu in 2021 to lead off a game with a home run.

Just two days later, Nielsen did it again, launching a leadoff home run over the right center field wall in the Bluejays 2-1 win over Northern Colorado.

Sophomore Lily West took over the leadoff spot in the series against Georgetown. In her first plate appearance against the Hoyas, West blasted a leadoff home run to left center to put the Jays out in front 1-0.

It was the third time this season Creighton has led off a game with a home run.

Softball Closes Out Non-Conference Play With Crosstown Battle Against Omaha on Tuesday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ashley Cantu

Ella Dalton

Alyssa Gappa

Jena Lawrence

Kiara Mills

Cayla Nielsen

Brooklyn Patchen

Sydney Potter

Natalia Puchino

Emma Rosonke

Kenzie Schopfer

Madeline Vejvoda

Lily West

Kailey Wilson

Softball Closes Out Non-Conference Play With Crosstown Battle Against Omaha on Tuesday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ashley Cantu

Ella Dalton

Alyssa Gappa

Jena Lawrence

Kiara Mills

Cayla Nielsen

Brooklyn Patchen

Sydney Potter

Natalia Puchino

Emma Rosonke

Kenzie Schopfer

Madeline Vejvoda

Lily West

Kailey Wilson

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