Creighton University
DePaul
Softball Host DePaul in Pivotal BIG EAST Weekend Series
4/25/2024 1:23:00 PM | Softball
Friday, April 26 • 5 p.m. • Saturday, April 27 • 12 p.m. • Sunday, April 28 • 11 a.m. • Omaha, Neb. • CHI Health Center Omaha
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES
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Currently sitting in third place in the BIG EAST, Creighton (28-19, 11-7 BE) hosts DePaul (8-33, 3-15 BE) in a pivotal three-game series this weekend at the Creighton Sports Complex.
The action, originally scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, has been moved back and will now begin at 5 p.m. in attempts to outlast anticipated rain in the forecast.
The Bluejays and Blue Demons will then continue their three-game set on Saturday with a game at 12 p.m. before concluding the series on Sunday at 11 a.m. The Bluejays will also recognize their six seniors following Sunday's contest.
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 available via StatBroadcast.
Links to the 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.
Scouting Creighton (28-19, 11-7 BE)
Winners of three in a row, Creighton enters this weekend with a 28-19 overall record and currently sits in third place with an 11-7 mark in the BIG EAST.
The Bluejays have secured BIG EAST series wins over St. John's, Georgetown, Villanova and Butler this season and are coming off a 7-3 win over crosstown rival Omaha earlier this week.
Offensively, Creighton is hitting .271 with 62 doubles, four triples and 23 home runs while pushing across 199 runs at the plate for an average of 4.23 runs per contest.
The Bluejays are led by fifth-year senior Madeline Vejvoda and her .348 batting average on 48 hits, which includes 11 doubles. She has also drove in 27 runs while scoring 27 of her own.
Fellow senior Cayla Nielsen follows closely behind with a .340 batting average on a team-best 54 hits, including a team-high 32 doubles, three home runs, and 11 walks while scoring 24 total runs.
Sophomore Ella Dalton is also hitting better than .300 this spring, holding a .307 batting average at the plate on 35 total hits, with a team-best six stolen bases. Sophomore Lily West has also provided a .320 batting average with nine doubles and a team-high tying 27 runs scored.
Sophomore Sydra Seville is right behind with a .288 average, while senior Emma Rosonke hits at a .250 clip on 28 base hits, including three doubles, a triple and two home runs. Freshman Sydney Potter has also provided some power to the Bluejay lineup this season, collecting a team-high 28 RBI on a team-best nine home runs and seven doubles.
In the circle, Creighton has posted a 3.61 ERA with 241 strikeouts in 302.2 innings of work.
Sophomore Natalia Puchino, the reigning BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week, has been incredible in the circle this season, owning a 20-5 overall record. The Colo. native has thrown a team-high 147.0 innings while recording a BIG EAST-best 135 strikeouts and a league-leading 1.90 ERA in the circle.
Meanwhile, junior Kenzie Schopfer has logged a respectable 4.00 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 82.1 innings pitched this season. Senior Jena Lawrence has also posted a 2-4 record with a 4.91 ERA in 31.1 innings pitched, while freshman Brooklyn Patchen holds a 9.33 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 24.0 innings of work.
Head coach Krista Wood is in her second season with the Bluejays and holds a 558-369 career record, including a 50-50 mark at Creighton.
Scouting DePaul (8-33, 3-15 BE)
DePaul is 8-33 this season and currently sits in a tie for eighth in the BIG EAST with a 3-15 league record. Having lost nine straight contests, DePaul will be seeking their first win since defeating Butler 4-3 in extra innings on April 6.
Led offensively by All-BIG EAST selection Brooke Johnson, DePaul is hitting .227 as a team with 28 doubles, five triples and 20 home runs.
Johnson paces the Blue Demons and ranks second in the BIG EAST with a .372 batting average, while ranking second in the BIG EAST with a .708 slugging percentage and third in the league with a team-high 10 home runs. She also leads the team with 42 hits, 31 runs scored, 23 RBI and 21 walks.
Fellow senior Riley Pool is the only other DePaul player hitting over .300 as she carries a .314 average with 33 hits into this weekend's series.
In the circle, DePaul ranks last in the league with a 5.03 ERA, a number that has dropped to 4.59 during BIG EAST play. The Blue Demons have struck out a league low 124 batters in 260.1 innings of work.
Graduate student Brenna Smith leads the pitching staff with 79.2 innings pitched and a 3.25 ERA. She has stuck out a team-best 43 batters this season, while sophomore Bella Nigey owns a 4.34 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 79.0 innings of work.
DePaul was picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll as head coach Tracie Adix-Zins is in her sixth season with the Blue Demons.
Series History Against Blue Demons
DePaul leads the all-time series against Creighton, 23-12, including a 17-7 record in BIG EAST contests.
The Bluejays, however, took two of three from the Blue Demons last season in Chicago, as Creighton claimed a 3-2 win and an 14-3 run-rule victory on April 7.
Creighton is 5-8 all-time against DePaul in games played in Omaha, while head coach Krista Wood owns a 4-1 all-time record against the Blue Demons.
Milestone Watch
- Cayla Nielsen owns 130 career runs scored and is just three runs shy of becoming Creighton's all-time runs scored leader in program history.
- Cayla Nielsen owns 196 career hits and is two base hits shy of moving into a tie with Melanie Dorsey for 10th on Creighton's all-time career hits list and four hits shy of becoming the 10th Bluejay in program history to record 200 career hits.
- Cayla Nielsen is three doubles shy of tying Kelly Brookhart (40) for fourth on Creighton's all-time career doubles list.
- Cayla Nielsen has recorded a team-high 13 doubles this season and is one shy of moving into a tie for seventh and two shy of moving into a tie for fourth on Creighton's single season doubles list.
- Cayla Nielsen needs just seven walks to tie Karla Hughes (69) for 10th on Creighton's all-time career walks list.
- Alyssa Gappa owns 22 career hit-by-pitches, three shy of moving into a tie with Michelle Koch and Lauren Cisneros (25) for fifth all-time for hit-by-pitches in a career.
- Alyssa Gappa needs just six more hits to record the 100th hit of her Bluejay career.
- Emma Rosonke has driven in 103 runs over the course of her Bluejays career. She is just four RBI shy of tying Lauren Cisneros (107) for 10th on Creighton's all-time career Runs Batted In list.
- Madeline Vejvoda needs just one more hit to record 150 hits in her Bluejay career.
- Natalia Puchino needs just two strikeouts to record her 250th strikeout of her Bluejay career.
- Natalia Puchino's currently ranks tied for sixth in the NCAA this season with 20 wins. With one more win, Puchino will moved into a tie with Marcia Jacobsen (21) for ninth on Creighton's single season wins list.
- With two wins this weekend against DePaul, Creighton will record its first 30-win season since 2010.
Senior Salute
Creighton will recognize six student-athletes for their contributions to the Bluejay softball program following this weekend's series against DePaul.
The Bluejays will recognize fifth-year seniors Cayla Nielsen and Madeline Vejvoda, as well as fourth year seniors Elly, Beeson, Alyssa Gappa, Jena Lawrence and Emma Rosonke.
The Senior Day ceremony will take place following Sunday's game against the Blue Demons.
Seeking 30-Win Season
Holding a 28-19 overall record, Creighton needs just two wins to record their 24th 30-win season in program history.
The last time the Bluejays collected 30-wins in a season was 2010 when the Jays captured their fifth MVC Tournament title, finishing the year in the NCAA Tournament with a 37-23 record.
Former head coach Mary Higgins recorded 11 thirty-win seasons, while Brent Vigness collected 12.
Nielsen Single Season Top-10 Doubles
Recording her 13th double of the season in the Bluejays' 7-3 win over Omaha on April 23, senior Cayla Nielsen moved into a tie for 10th on Creighton's single season doubles list.
Her 13 doubles this season are tied with Sam Dellinger for the most by a Bluejay since joining the BIG EAST in 2014. She is just two doubles shy of moving into the top-5 for single season doubles while her 37 career doubles currently ranks fifth all-time in school history.
DOUBLES
No. Name 2B Year
1. Frenchy Nix 23 1999
2. Christy Lunceford 19 1997
3. Temple Windhorst 17 1999
4. Renae Sinkler 15 2008
Julie Woodley 15 1993
Kelly Brookhart 15 1991
7. Stacey Rybar 14 2004
DeAnn Kaster 14 2002
Jody Ream 14 1989
10. Cayla Nielsen 13 2024
Sam Dellinger 13 2017
Amy Baker 13 2010
Abby Johnson 13 2005
Sami Herbster 13 2001
Christy Lunceford 13 1996
Erin Fraser 13 1995
Karyn Rice 13 1990
Nielsen Nears Career Hits Top-10 and 200 Hit Plateau
In her fifth-year with the Bluejay softball program, outfielder Cayla Nielsen has turned into one of the most prolific hitters to ever wear a Bluejay uniform.
Owning 196 career hits, the Blair, Neb. native is just four hits shy of becoming the 10th Bluejay in program history to collect 200 career hits.
Needing just two hits to enter Creighton's all-time career hits top-10 record list, Nielsen will become a part of a selective group of Bluejay hitters.
CAREER HITS
No. Name H Years
1. Christy Lunceford 245 1994-97
2. Heidi Geier 243 1996-99
3. Kelly Brookhart 218 1988-91
Ashley Cantu 218 2017-21
5. Sue Frederick 209 1986-89
6. Ellen Homan 203 2011-14
Wendy Moon 203 1991-94
8. Renae Sinkler 201 2007-10
Jean Tierney 201 1980-83
10. Melanie Dorsey 198 2002-05
- Cayla Nielsen 196 2020-Pr.
Creighton Puts Up Seven Runs in First
The Bluejays scored seven runs in the bottom of the first inning during the Bluejays 7-3 victory over Omaha on April 23. The seven run first was the most runs scored in an inning by a Creighton team since the Bluejays scored 10 runs in the first inning against Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 28, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill.
It was the eighth time this season that the Bluejays had scored five or more runs in an inning and the first time that they have scored five or more runs in the first inning of a game.
She's Going the Distance
In last Sunday's 1-0 extra-innings win at Butler, sophomore Natalia Puchino put together one of the most dominant performances in the circle, that Bluejay fans had not seen in 17 years.
Tossing a career-high 9.0 innings while recording a career-high 10 strikeouts, Puchino became the first Bluejay since Tara Oltman in 2007 to record a nine-inning complete game shutout.
This season, Puchino has thrown 10 complete games while recording five of the teams eight shutouts. Overall, She has logged 21 complete games and nine shutouts in her Bluejay career.
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 20-5 with three saves in the circle for the Bluejays this season. She currently leads the BIG EAST with a 1.90 ERA and 135 strikeouts in a league-leading 147.0 innings of work this season.
Puchino's 20 victories in the circle this season are tied for the sixth most in the NCAA this season and tied for the 10th most by a Bluejay pitcher in a single season in program history.
Puchino sits just one win shy of tying Marcia Jacobsen for ninth on the all-time 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. Natalia Puchino 20 2024
Tammy Nielsen 20 2003
Kelly Brookhart 20 1989
Puchino Earns Second BE Pitcher of the Week Honor
Fresh off her 9-inning complete-game shutout over Butler on Sunday, Creighton softball's Natalia Puchino earned her second BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honor, the league announced on Monday afternoon.
Puchino guided the Bluejays to a 2-1 series win over Butler, posting a 2-1 overall record with a 1.42 ERA in 19.2 innings of work. The sophomore right hander struck out 18 batters over the weekend, while allowing just four runs on 10 total hits.
In the series finale, Puchino was purely dominant, firing a nine-inning complete-game shutout while striking out a career high 10 batters in a 1-0 nine-inning win for the Bluejays. Puchino became the first Bluejay since Tara Oltman in 2007 to throw a nine-inning complete-game shutout, while earning her 20th win of the season.
Puchino is the first Bluejay pitcher to earn BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week honors twice in the same season since Kiele Miller secured the honor three times during the 2019 season.
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 three runs shy of becoming the all-time runs scored record holder in Creighton softball history. The fifth-year senior has scored 130 career runs, sitting in a tie for second with Jean Tierney 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, Sue Frederick, Heidi Geier and Ashley Cantu.
RUNS SCORED
No. Name R Years
1. Stacey Rybar 132 2001-04
2. Cayla Nielsen 130 2020-pr.
Jean Tierney 130 1980-83
4. 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
Lily West Surpasses 100 Career Hits
Lining a double of the left field wall in an April 13 contest at UConn, sophomore Lily West recorded the 100th hit of her Bluejay career. Recording her 100th hit, West became just the eighth Bluejay in program history to record 100 career hits during their sophomore season.
The most recent Bluejay to accomplish that feat was Ashley Cantu when she recorded 101 hits in 81 games between her freshman and sophomore seasons.
Hits Through Fr. & So. Seasons
No. Name H Years
1. Heidi Geier 120 1996-97
2. Christy Lunceford 117 1994-95
3. Jody Jenison 111 1980-81
4. Ellen Homan 109 2011-12
5. Wendy Moon 107 1991-92
6. Lily West 106 2023-Pr.
7. Ashley Cantu 101 2017-18
Jean Tierney 101 1980-81
Nielsen's On-Base Streak Ends at 18-Games
Junior Cayla Nielsen had reached base safely in 18 straight games between March 16 and April 19, which was Creighton's longest streak this season and the longest since Kailey Wilson reached base safely in 19 consecutive contest in 2022.
During Nielsen's 18-game on-base streak, she hit .414 (24-of-58) with five doubles, four walks, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored.
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)
Overall this season, the Nebraska native has started in all 47 games and has logged a .340 batting average (54-of-159) with a team-best 13 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 .332 average.
She has also moved into fifth on Creighton's all-time career doubles list, surpassing Abby Johnson and Jody Schwartz after recording a leadoff double in the Bluejays' 7-3 win over Omaha on April 23. With just three 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. .332 Cayla Nielsen 196-590 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 37 2020-pr.
6. 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
Emma's Keeping it 100
Senior Emma Rosonke recorded the 100th RBI of her Bluejay career delivering a walk-off RBI doubles in the Bluejays' 8-7 series opening win over Villanova on April 5 and collected her 100th career hit with a single to center in the Bluejays' 7-3 win over Omaha on April 23.
The Omaha native is just the 12th Bluejay in program history to Rosonke is just the 12th Bluejay in program history to ever record 100 hits and 100 RBI in their Creighton careers.
Rosonke is now just four RBI away from tying Lauren Cisneros for 10th on Creighton's all-time career Runs Batted In list.
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 100 103 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 18-0 when scoring at least five runs in a game. In those 18 games, Creighton has outscored their opponents, 154-51.
Over the last 24 seasons, Creighton is 370-54 when scoring five or more runs. In the same time span Creighton is 239-407-3 when scoring four runs or fever.
Creighton is also 155-36 when scoring five or more runs in a game since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.
During that same time frame the Bluejays are 90-4 when scoring eight or more runs, which included a perfect 12-0 record this season.
Free Softball
Creighton has played six extra-inning games this season, a 5-1 record in those contests. The Bluejays recorded extra-inning wins over Pacific (5-4, 10 inn.), Villanova (8-7, 8 inn.), at UConn (2-1, 8 inn.) and twice at Butler last weekend (11-8, 9 inn.; 1-0, 9 inn.). The Bluejays lone extra-inning loss this season was a 3-2 setback in 8-innings to Kansas City on March 19.
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.
Overall, Creighton is 94-96-2 all-time in extra innings games, including a 18-14 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 248 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
248 Natalia Puchino 2023-Pr.
243 Abby Johnson 2002-05
234 Micaela Whitney 2015-16
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 this past Tuesday against Omaha
The Bluejays have scored five or more runs in a single inning eight times this year, including seven runs in the first inning of the Bluejays' 7-3 victory over the Mavericks on April 23.
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
4/23 vs. Omaha 7 1st
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 162 consecutive games dating back to March 7, 2021.
Her 162 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 173 of the 186 games she has played in.
Lead Generally Safe
Creighton has done an excellent job protecting leads this season, recording a 21-4 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 16-1 when leading after four innings, 16-1 when leading after five innings and 16-1 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' 7-3 victory over Omaha on April 23.
Recording her 22nd career hit-by-pitched, Gappa moved pass Sami Herbster for sixth on Creighton's all-time career hit-by-pitch record list. She is now just three HBP shy of tying Michelle Koch and Lauren Cisneros for fifth on the Bluejays 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 22 2021-pr.
7. 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 47 games this season Creighton has played 18 games decided by two or less runs, including 14 one-run contests.
The Bluejays are 12-6 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), UConn (2-1) and Butler (1-0)
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 23 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
23 (15) 13 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 69-66 record at home.
The Bluejays are 11-2 this season at the CU Sports Complex, which includes victories over Rider, Northern Colorado, North Dakota, Villanova, South Dakota and Omaha as well as a BIG EAST series sweep over Georgetown.
Through 13 home games this season, Creighton is hitting .350 with 29 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 80 RBI, while the Bluejay pitching staff owns a 2.16 ERA with 73 strikeouts and is holding opponents to a .175 batting average.
Senior Madeline Vejvoda paces the Bluejays this season with a .500 batting average on 20 hits and seven doubles, while sophomore Lily West owns a .447 average and senior Cayla Nielsen holds a .400 average this season at the CU Sports Complex.
A total of 23 home runs (15 by CU, eight by opponents) have been hits during 81.0 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: 11-2
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 41-of-the-47 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 54 hits this season, which includes a team-high 13 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.
