Bluejay Softball Concludes Regular Season With Home Series Against Providence

Game #51-53: Providence Friars (21-21-1, 10-11) at Creighton Bluejays (31-19, 14-7)
Friday, May 3 • 6 p.m. • Saturday, May 4 • 2 p.m. • Sunday, May 5 • 12 P.m. • Omaha, Neb. • Creighton Sports Complex
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES

Up Next

Looking to secure the No. 2 seed in next weeks BIG EAST Tournament, Creighton (31-19, 14-7 BE) concludes the regular season with a three-game series against Providence (21-21-1, 10-11 BE) this weekend at the Creighton Sports Complex.

The two teams will kick off the series on Friday at 6 p.m., before meeting on Saturday at 2 p.m. as Creighton hosts its second annual Alumni Day. The Bluejays and Friars will then wrap up the series on Sunday with a contest scheduled for 12 p.m. The Bluejays will also recognize their six seniors following Sunday's contest.

Follow The Games

This weekend's three-game series against Providence 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 (31-19, 14-7 BE)

Entering the final weekend of the regular season, Creighton sits in second place in the BIG EAST with a 31-19 overall record and an 14-7 mark in league play, having already clinched a spot in next weeks conference tournament.

Winners of six in a row, the Bluejays have secured BIG EAST series wins over St. John's, Georgetown, Villanova and Butler this season and are coming off series sweep of DePaul last weekend.

Offensively, Creighton is hitting .278 with 66 doubles, five triples and 24 home runs while pushing across 216 runs at the plate for an average of 4.32 runs per contest.

The Bluejays are led by fifth-year senior Madeline Vejvoda and her .356 batting average on 53 hits, which includes 12 doubles. She has also drove in a team-high 28 runs while scoring 28 of her own.

Fellow senior Cayla Nielsen follows closely behind with a .339 batting average on a team-best 57 hits, including a team-high 14 doubles, three home runs, and 12 walks while scoring 27 total runs.

Sophomore Lily West has also provided a .331 batting average on 53 hits with 10 doubles and a team-high 30 runs scored, while classmate Ella Dalton holds a .317 batting average at the plate on 39 total hits, with a team-best seven stolen bases.

Sophomore Sydra Seville is also hitting better than .300 this spring, owning a .313 average, while senior Emma Rosonke hits at a .242 clip on 29 base hits, including three doubles, a triple and two home runs.

In the circle, Creighton has posted a 3.50 ERA with 257 strikeouts in 323.2 innings of work.

Sophomore Natalia Puchino has been incredible in the circle this season, owning a 22-5 overall record. The Colo. native has thrown a team-high 163.0 innings while recording a BIG EAST-best 148 strikeouts and a league-leading 1.80 ERA in the circle.

Meanwhile, junior Kenzie Schopfer has logged a respectable 4.18 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 85.1 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 8.62 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 26.0 innings of work.

Head coach Krista Wood is in her second season with the Bluejays and holds a 561-369 career record, including a 53-50 mark at Creighton.

Scouting Providence (21-21-1, 10-11 BE)

The Friars enter this weekend's pivotal series with an 20-21-1 overall record and are coming off a 8-0 run-rule win over Brown on Wednesday.

Providence currently sits in sixth place in the BIG EAST Conference with a 10-11 record in league play, needing a few victories to secure their spot in the BIG EAST Tournament next week.

As a team, Providence is hitting .283 with 62 doubles, 24 home runs and 200 runs scored, while the Friar pitching staff holds a 3.75 ERA with 240 strikeouts in 274.1 innings of work.

Senior Jacque Harrington continues to pace the Friars lineup, as she is hitting .326 with 42 hits, including a team-best 13 doubles. She also leads the team in RBI (27), and runs scored (29), while ranking second on the team in home runs with six.

Junior Hanna Aldrich has also provided a solid bat for the Friars this season, as she holds a team-leading .350 batting average on a team-high 43 base hits. Sophomore Gabriella Lee follows closely behind with a .306 average with 34 hits and 21 runs scored, while Emma Douma owns a .301 batting average with six doubles and three home runs.

The Firars have turned to three-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week, Alyssa Twomey, and senior Tori Grifone to handle the duties in the circle this season. Twomey owns a team-best 3.07 ERA with 125 strikeouts in 121 innings of work, while Gridone holds a 3.87 ERA with 61 punchouts in 63.1 innings pitched this spring.

Head coach Kelsey Christensen is in her first season at the helm of Providence.

Series History Against Providence

Creighton and Providence have met 26 times in program history, with all 26 meetings happening since the Bluejays joined the BIG EAST in 2014.

Creighton and Providence have each won 13 times in the all-time series after the Friars took two of three from the Bluejays in Providence last season. The Bluejays have had a lot of success against the Friars in Omaha, posting a 9-2 record in games played at the CU Sports Complex.

Head coach Krista Wood owns an 3-3 record as a head coach against Providence.

Milestone Watch

- Cayla Nielsen owns 199 career hits and is two base hits shy of moving into a tie with Renae Sinkler-O'Gorman and Jean Tierney for ninth on Creighton's all-time career hits list.

- Cayla Nielsen needs just one hit to become the 10th Bluejay in program history to record 200 career hits.

- Cayla Nielsen is two doubles shy of tying Kelly Brookhart (40) for fourth on Creighton's all-time career doubles list.

- Cayla Nielsen has recorded a team-high 14 doubles this season and is one shy of moving moving into a tie for fourth on Creighton's single season doubles list.

- Cayla Nielsen needs just six 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 four more hits to record the 100th hit of her Bluejay career.

- Emma Rosonke has driven in 104 runs over the course of her Bluejays career. She is just three RBI shy of tying Lauren Cisneros (107) for 10th on Creighton's all-time career Runs Batted In list.

- Natalia Puchino needs just two strikeouts to record her 150th strikeout of the season.

- Natalia Puchino's currently ranks tied for fifth in the NCAA this season with 22 wins. With one more win, Puchino will moved into a tie with Kelly Brookhart (23) for seventh on Creighton's single season wins list.

Senior Salute

Creighton will recognize six student-athletes for their contributions to the Bluejay softball program following this weekend's series against Providence.

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 Friars.

Nielsen Breaks Career Runs Scored Record

Senior Cayla Nielsen not only solidified her name as one of the greatest Bluejays to wear a Creighton uniform, but she also created history breaking the all-time career runs scored record.

Nielsen, a Blair, Neb. native, scored three runs during the Bluejays series sweep of DePaul last weekend, breaking the all-time runs scored record with 133 career runs scored.

Throughout this season, Nielsen climbed the record board, surpassing the greats of Liz Dike, Bailey Dawson, Renae Sinkler-O'Gorman, Christy Lunceford, Sue Frederick, Heidi Geier, Ashley Cantu, Jean Tierney and Stacey Rybar on the way to making school history.

RUNS SCORED

No. Name R Years

1. Cayla Nielsen 133 2020-pr.

2. Stacey Rybar 132 2001-04

3. 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

Dirty Thirty

With a series sweep over DePaul last weekend Creighton recorded its 30th win of the season, capturing the Bluejays 24th 30-win season in program history.

Prior to this season, 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.

Creighton's 30 Win Seasons

Total Wins How Often Last Time

51 1 time 1981

49 1 time 1989

46 1 time 1980

44 2 times 2005

43 2 time 2008

40 1 time 2007

39 2 times 1990

38 2 times 1991

37 1 time 2010

36 1 time 1986

35 1 time 2009

34 2 times 2000

33 1 time 1998

32 3 times 1997

31 2 times 2024

30 1 time 2001

Most 30-Win SB Seasons at Creighton, Coaches

How Often Head Coach

12 Brent Vigness

11 Mary Higgins

1 Krista Wood

Bluejays Extend Winnings Streak to Six

Creighton finished last week with a perfect 4-0 record, extending its winnings streak to a season-long six games.

The Bluejays six-game winnings streak is the teams longest since also winnings six straight during the final weeks of the 2018 season.

In fact, the Bluejays six-game win streak in 2018 helped secure Creighton's second BIG EAST Tournament appearance.

Should the Bluejays sweep this weekend's regular season finale against Providence, the Bluejays nine-game winning streak will by the teams longest since CU won 10 straight from March of 2014.

Bluejays Clinch BE Tourney Spot

Thanks to a series sweep over DePaul last weekend, the Bluejays secure a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament for just the third time since joining the league in 2014 and for the first time since 2018.

Entering the final weekend of the regular season, Creighton currently sits along in second place with a 14-7 league record, but seeding is still up for grabs.

A game up on UConn in the standings, Creighton could secure the No. 2 seed in next week's BIG EAST Tournament with a sweep of Providence this weekend.

Should Creighton take two of three from Providence and if UConn sweeps Georgetown, the Huskies would take the No. 2 seed on a tiebreaker, pushing the Jays into the No. 3 seed.

The 2024 BIG EAST Championships Presented by JEEP is scheduled for May 7-11 in Providence, R.I.

50/50/50

Seniors Cayla Nielsen (57) and Madeline Vejvoda (53) as well as sophomore Lily West (53) have each recorded 50+ hits this season.

They are just the 12th Bluejay trio in program history and the first since 2012 to each record 50 or more hits in a single season.

Should the trio reach at least 60 hits each, they will join Jody Ream, Sue Frederick and Karyn Rice (1989) as the only groups to collect 60 or more hits in a single season.

On The Double

Through the first 50 games of the season, Creighton has hit 66 total doubles. That figure currently ranks second in the BIG EAST and ranks sixth all-time on Creighton's single-season double list.

In head coach Krista Wood's first two seasons with Creighton, the Bluejays have recorded 143 doubles, including 77, the second most in a single season in program history, last season.

Doubles

1. 79 1993

2. 77 2023

3. 74 2001

4. 73 1999

5. 71 2004

6. 66 2024

7. 65 1997

65 1989

9. 64 2005

10. 63 1994

Home Sweet Home

Creighton owns a 14-2 record at the Creighton Sports Complex this season with three remaining home game still on the scheduled for this weekend.

The Bluejays 14 home wins this season are the most wins in the friendly confines of the CU Sports Complex since the 2008 Bluejays finished the home schedule with a 19-2 home record.

In addition, this is just the third time this century that Creighton has recorded 14 or more home wins in a single season

Overall, Creighton owns a 497-275-1 record at home, including a 372-229-1 record since moving into the CU Sports Complex in 1988.

Most Home Wins at CU Sports Complex

Record Year

24-4 1989

19-7 1988

19-2 2008

16-7 1991

15-6 1990

15-6-1 2007

14-2 2024

Bring the BIG EAST Broom

Creighton has completed BIG EAST series sweeps this season against Georgetown and DePaul, posting a trio of run-rule victories over the Hoyas while securing a spot in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament in a trio of win over the Blue Demons.

Prior to this season, the last time Creighton swept a BIG EAST series was against Seton Hall on April 2-3, 2021. In fact, the series sweep against DePaul was just the ninth time since joining the BIG EAST in 2014 and the eighth time at home that CU has swept a three-game BIG EAST series.

Below is a list of all the series sweeps Creighton has had since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.

BIG EAST Series Sweeps

Opponents Date

DePaul April 27-28, 2024

Georgetown March 28-30, 2024

Seton Hall April 2-3, 2021

Villanova May 5-6, 2018

at Seton Hall April 21-22, 2018

Seton Hall April 14-15, 2017

Georgetown April 9-10, 2016

Providence May 3-4, 2014

Villanova April 5-6, 2014

Lily West Earns BIG EAST Player of the Week

Sophomore Lily West was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week after guiding the Bluejays to a perfect 4-0 record with a win over Omaha and a series sweep over DePaul last week in Omaha.

West is the second Bluejay this season to earn BIG EAST Player of the Week honors, joining Madeline Vejvoda (April 8).

West, a Choctaw, Okla. native, started all four games behind the plate, recording a .538 batting average (7-of-13) and a .846 slugging percentage with a double and home run while collecting five RBI, two walks and four runs scored.

Nielsen Enters Single Season Top-10 for Doubles

Recording her 14th double of the season in the Bluejays' 7-4 win over DePaul on April 27, senior Cayla Nielsen moved into a tie for seventh on Creighton's single season doubles list.

Her 14 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.

SINGLE SEASON 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. Cayla Nielsen 14 2024

Stacey Rybar 14 2004

DeAnn Kaster 14 2002

Jody Ream 14 1989

11. 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

-- Madeline Vejvoda 12 2024

Nielsen Cracks Career Hits Top-10 and Nears

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 199 career hits, the Blair, Neb. native cracked the career hits top-10 leaderboard with a three-hit performance against DePaul last Saturday.

Nielsen is now just one hit shy of becoming the 10th Bluejay in program history to collect 200 career hits.

Earlier this season Nielsen collected her 150th hits with an RBI single down the left field line during the Jays' 3-2 win over the Colgate in Florida, becoming just the 15th Bluejays in the last 25 years to record 150 hits.

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. Cayla Nielsen 199 2020-Pr.

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 22-5 with four saves in the circle for the Bluejays this season. She currently leads the BIG EAST with a 1.80 ERA and 148 strikeouts in a league-leading 163.0 innings of work this season.

Puchino's 22 victories in the circle this year are tied for the fifth most in the NCAA this season and tied with Becca Changstrom for the eighth most by a Bluejay pitcher in a single season in program history.

Puchino sits just one win shy of tying Kelly Brookhart for seventh 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. Natalia Puchino 23 2024

Kelly Brookhart 23 1990

9. Becca Changstrom 22 2013

10. Marcia Jacobsen 21 1981

Puchino Surpasses 250 Career Strikeouts

With a pair of strikeouts in the first inning against DePaul on April 27, sophomore Natalia Puchino became just the eighth Bluejays in the last 25 years to record at least 250 career strikeouts.

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

Puchino's 261 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

261 Natalia Puchino 2023-Pr.

249 Stephanie Cortese 2003-06

243 Abby Johnson 2002-05

234 Micaela Whitney 2015-16

211 Amanda Hess 2007-08

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 in 2010.

The sophomore right hander then delivered 2.0 scoreless innings in the second game of a doubleheader against DePaul on April 27th, earning her fourth save of the year and moving into a tie with April Trupp for fifth on Creighton's single season saves record list.

Puchino's four saves are also tied for the 10th most by a Bluejay in a career in program history.

SINGLE SEASON 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. Natalia Puchino 4 2024

April Trupp 4 1987

7. 12 Times 3

last by Tara Oltman 2024

CAREER SAVES

No. Name SV Years

1. Candi Letts 16 1980-83

2. Tara Oltman 15 2007-10

3. Holly Hesse 10 1979-82

4. Kandy Foust 6 1983-86

5. Kiele Miller 5 2018-20

Becca Changstrom 5 2011-14

Tammy Nielsen 5 2003-05

Kelly Brookhart 5 1988-91

Jeni Ruzich 5 1988-91

10. Natalia Puchino 4 2023-Pr.

Marie Gieron 4 1997-01

Lauren Kennedy 4 1992-95

April Trupp 4 1986-87

Lily West Surpasses 100 Career Hits

Lining a double off 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.

West currently owns 111 career hits, ranking tied for third with Jody Jenison for career hits during their sophomore campaign.

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 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 eighth 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 two 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 Lily West 111-333 2023-Pr.

8. .332 Cayla Nielsen 199-599 2020-Pr.

9. .331 Kiara Mills 123-372 2019-22

10. .328 Melanie Dorsey 198-604 2002-05

11. .326 Christine Fukumoto 110-337 2004-05

12. .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 38 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 ever record 100 hits and 100 RBI in their Creighton careers.

Rosonke is now just three 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. Emma Rosonke 101 104 2021-Pr.

12. Dede Pendleton 184 103 1991-95

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 20-0 when scoring at least five runs in a game. In those 20 games, Creighton has outscored their opponents, 169-56.

Over the last 24 seasons, Creighton is 372-54 when scoring five or more runs. In the same time span Creighton is 240-407-3 when scoring four runs or fever.

Creighton is also 157-36 when scoring five or more runs in a game since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.

During that same time frame the Bluejays are 91-4 when scoring eight or more runs, which included a perfect 13-0 record this season. Including the Jays 13 wins this season, Creighton has now won 23 consecutive games when scoring eight or more runs dating back to a April 2, 2021 at St. John's.

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.

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.

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 weekend in the series finale against DePaul.

The Bluejays have scored five or more runs in a single inning nine times this year, including five runs in the second inning of the Bluejays' 8-1 victory over the Blue Demon's on April 28.

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

4/28 vs. DePaul 5 2nd

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 165 consecutive games dating back to March 7, 2021.

Her 165 straight starts are the ninth 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 176 of the 189 games she has played in.

Lead Generally Safe

Creighton has done an excellent job protecting leads this season, recording a 23-4 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 17-1 when leading after four innings, 19-1 when leading after five innings and 19-1 when leading after six innings this season.

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 contests 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 50 games and has logged a .339 batting average (57-of-168) with a team-best 14 doubles and three home runs from the leadoff spot.

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 50 games this season Creighton has played 19 games decided by two or less runs, including 15 one-run contests.

The Bluejays are 13-6 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), Butler (1-0) and DePaul (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 24 home runs this season, with 16 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 Lily West has recorded three and Cayla Nielsen and Emma Rosonke 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

25 (16) 16 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 72-66 record at home.

The Bluejays are 14-2 this season at the CU Sports Complex, which includes victories over Rider, Northern Colorado, North Dakota, Villanova, South Dakota and Omaha as well as BIG EAST series sweeps over Georgetown and DePaul.

Through 16 home games this season, Creighton is hitting .357 with 33 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs and 94 RBI, while the Bluejay pitching staff owns a 2.13 ERA with 89 strikeouts and is holding opponents to a .179 batting average.

Senior Madeline Vejvoda paces the Bluejays this season with a .490 batting average on 25 hits and eight doubles, while sophomore Lily West owns a .458 average and senior Cayla Nielsen holds a .389 average with eight home doubles and 16 runs scored this season at the CU Sports Complex.

A total of 25 home runs (16 by CU, nine by opponents) have been hits during 102.0 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's 14 wins at home this season are the most in a single season since claiming 19 home victories in 2008.

Year-by-year home records since 2014:

2024: 14-2

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 44-of-the-50 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 57 hits this season, which includes a team-high 14 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.

Bluejay Softball Concludes Regular Season With Home Series Against Providence

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

Sydra Seville

Madeline Vejvoda

Lily West

Kailey Wilson

Bluejay Softball Concludes Regular Season With Home Series Against Providence

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

Sydra Seville

Madeline Vejvoda

Lily West

Kailey Wilson

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