Creighton University
UNLV
Softball Heads To Sunny California for UC Santa Barbara Tournament
2/26/2025 9:44:00 AM | Softball
Creighton set to play five games against UNLV, UC Santa Barbara and Saint Mary's
Games 11-15 • UC Santa Barbara Tournament • Santa Barbara, Calif. • Campus Diamond
Game #11: Creighton Bluejays vs. UNLV Rebels
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 • 1:45 p.m. || LIVE STATS | CU NOTES
Game #12: Creighton Bluejays at UC Santa Barbara Guachos
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 • 4:15 p.m. || LIVE STATS | ESPN+ | CU NOTES
Game #13: Creighton Bluejays vs. Saint Mary's Gaels
Saturday, March 1, 2025 • 11 a.m. || LIVE STATS | CU NOTES
Game #14: Creighton Bluejays vs. UNLV Rebels
Saturday, March 1, 2025 • 1:45 p.m. || LIVE STATS | CU NOTES
Game #15: Creighton Bluejays at UC Santa Barbara Guachos
Sunday, March 2, 2025 • 12 p.m. || LIVE STATS | ESPN+ | CU NOTES
This Weekend
Creighton (7-3) returns to the road after a rare week off due to cancelations when it heads to Santa Barbara, Calif. for the UC Santa Barbara Tournament.
The tournament starts at 1:45 p.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 28 when the Bluejays meet UNLV (9-5). CU returns to the field that same day at 4:15 p.m. when it meets up with tournament host UC Santa Barbara (9-7).
Play continues on Saturday, March 1, when Creighton faces battles Saint Mary's (6-7) at 11 a.m., followed by a second contest against UNLV at 1:45 p.m.
The tournament then concludes on Sunday, March 2, when Creighton matches up with UC Santa Barbara for a second time at 12 p.m. All five games will be played at Campus Diamond on the campus of UC Santa Barbara.
Live Stats Information
All of Creighton's games this season will have free live stats. Visit www.gocreighton.com and click on the small bar graph icon on the scoreboard at the top of the page for the event of your choosing. Stats to all home games can also be followed at www.gocreightonstats.com.
Scoring updates and infographics will be provided via Twitter at @BluejaySoftball.
Broadcast Information
Only Creighton's matchups with UC Santa Barbara on Friday and Sunday will be streamed on ESPN+, a subscription-based service. The broadcasts can be viewed at http://watchespn.com.
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 (7-3)
Winners in five of their last six games, Creighton owns a four-game winning streak and a 7-3 overall record heading into this weekend's UC Santa Barbara Tournament.
The Bluejays posted a 4-1 record at the Kennesaw State Tournament two weeks ago, picking up wins over Northern Kentucky, Morehead State and Kennesaw State.
Offensively, Creighton is hitting .305 with 20 doubles, six home runs, 48 RBI and 52 runs scored, led by junior Lily West with a .441 batting average on a team-best 15 hits, six RBI and nine runs scored.
Senior Sydra Seville is another top offensive weapon for the Jays, hitting an impressive .353 on 12 hits, including two doubles, a home run and seven runs scored.
Four other Bluejays are currently hitting over .300; Hannah Poole (.333 BA, 8 H, 8 R), Kenzie Nakasawa (.333 BA, 7 H) and Lynn Davis (.323 BA, 10 H), while Sydney Potter owns a .313 batting average with a team-leading five doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI.
Sophomore Brooke Shifflett has led the Bluejays in the circle through the early portion of the schedule, recording a 4-1 record with a 1.84 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 19.0 innings of work, while classmate Brooklyn Patchen has struck out 16 in 23.1 innings for a 2.70 ERA. Freshman Abby Rusher has added in eight punch outs of her own and has collected a 2.28 ERA with 15.1 innings pitched.
Creighton returns six regular starters from last season's 36-22 squad that posted the programs first 35-win season since 2010 and finished runner-up in both the BIG EAST regular-season and tournament. The Bluejays were picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST by the league coaches in 2025.
Head coach Krista Wood is in her third season with the Bluejays and holds a 573-374 career record, including a 65-55 mark at Creighton.
Scouting UNLV (9-5)
UNLV is off to a 9-5 start to the season, collecting wins over Buffalo, Southern Utah, Idaho State and Monmouth. The Rebels are coming off a 2-3 showing at the Garnet & Black Invitational in Columbia, S.C., where they also picked up wins over Boston and Fordham.
UNLV is hitting .306 as a team with 18 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 70 RBI and 74 runs scored. Senior Ariana Martinez paces the Rebels offense with a .488 batting average with a team-high five doubles and four RBI while driving in 20 RBI.
Junior Bri Williams (.406 BA, 13 H) and senior Sofia Morales (.404 BA, 19 H, 8 RBI) are also hitting at a better than .400 clip, while sophomores Karmyna Becerra and Charelle Aki are hitting .326 and .318 respectfully.
Freshman Yanina Sherwood and junior Amelia Weber have anchored the Rebels in the circle this season. Sherwood owns four wins with a 3.56 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 37.1 innings of work, while Weber has collected a trio of wins of her own and a 4.24 ERA with 18 punchout in 31.1 innings pitched. As a team, UNLV owns a 4.06 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 88.0 compete innings.
The Rebels finished last season with an 31-19 overall record, including a 14-8 Mountain West record and a trip to the MWC Championships.
UNLV was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West Preseason Coaches' poll as head coach Kristie Fox is in her eighth season at the helm of the Rebels.
Series History Against The Rebels
Creighton leads the all-time series with UNLV, 3-2, in a series that dates back to 1987.
The Bluejays and Rebels first met in the UNLV Invitational in 1987, when Creighton claimed all three meetings.
UNLV, however, has won the last two matchups, including a 4-2 win on Feb. 9, 2018, in the Sportco Kick Off Classic in Las Vegas, Nev.
Head Coach Krista Wood has never faced UNLV as a head coach.
Scouting UC Santa Barbara (9-7)
UC Santa Barbara opened the season with wins in six of their first seven games but have since dropped six of the last nine games and enters this weekend with a 9-7 overall record.
The Gauchos are coming off a 1-4 showing at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Calif., where their lone win of the weekend was a 3-2 win over Oregon State.
Freshman Ma'ae Delaina paces the Guachos offense with a .514 batting average on a team-best 19 total hits, including three home runs.
Three additional starters hold a batting average above .300, led by sophomore Ainsley Waddell (. 391 BA, 5 HR, 15 RBI) and senior Alexa Sams (.340 BA). Junior Jazzy Santos also owns a .321 batting average, while classmate Bella Fuentes follows with a .286 average and a team-high 15 RBI on two doubles, a triple and three home runs.
As a team, the UC Santa Barbara is hitting .297 with 24 doubles, 13 home runs and 80 runs scored, while their pitching staff owns a 4.36 ERA as opponents are hitting at a .312 average.
Senior Grace Luderer and junior Malaya Johnson have handled the majority of the load in the circle this season. Luderer owns a 3.32 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 31.2 innings of work, while Johnson has struck out 19 and holds a 4.38 ERA in 38.1 innings.
Sophomore Sam Stoll has also provided 16.0 quality innings of work, recording a 2-0 record and a 1.75 ERA with 11 punchouts this spring.
UC Santa Barbara was picked to finish third in the Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll. Head coach Jo Evans is in her third season at the helm of the Gauchos, while owning the ninth most wins in NCAA history with a 1,355-770-2 career record in 40 total seasons of coaching.
Series History Against The Gauchos
Creighton and UC Santa Barbara have met two times previously with the Bluejays holding a 2-0 lead in the all-time series.
The two squads last met in 2010 at the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. with Creighton earning a 5-1 victory.
Head coach Krista Wood is 2-0 as a head coach against UC Santa Barbara, with both meetings coming while serving as the head coach at South Dakota State.
Scouting Saint Mary's (6-7)
Saint Mary's is 6-7 this season, picking up wins over Idaho State, Southern Utah, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN and Hawaii, as well as a key 2-0 victory over (RV) Northwestern last weekend at the Mary Nutter Classic.
Junior Odhi Vasquez, the reigning West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week, has anchored the Gaels pitching staff this season, owning a 1.75 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 28.0 innings of work. Sophomore Mia Nishikawa has also collected nine strikeouts and a 3.06 ERA in 16.0 innings, while junior Chelsea Bennett holds a 2.15 ERA with seven strikeouts in 13.0 innings of work this season.
As a staff, the Gaels own a 3.10 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 88.0 innings of work, while the offense is hitting at a .265 clip with 16 doubles, 45 RBI and 51 runs scored.
Saint Mary's is led offensively by sophomore Camille Lara and senior Jenavee Amador. Lara paces the Gaels with a .341 batting average, 14 hits, including three doubles and five runs scored, while Amador owns a .333 average on 10 hits.
Mia Zabat (.314), Alex Cutonilli (.308) and Taylor Lane (.300) also hold batting averages over .300, with Cutonilli owning a team-high 10 RBI on 12 hits, including two home runs and a double.
Head coach Sonja Garnett holds a 106-170-1 overall record in seven seasons at the helm of Saint Mary's. The Gaels were picked to repeat as the WCC Champs after claiming their first WCC title and second trip to the NCAA Tournament last spring.
Series History Against The Gaels
Creighton holds a 1-0 record in the all-time series against Saint Mary's, claiming the victory in the only meeting between the two schools, 2-1, at the Kajikawa Classic on Feb. 10, 2017.
Head Coach Krista Wood has never faced Saint Mary's as a head coach.
Milestone Watch
- Hannah Poole owns 96 career hits and is four shy of 100 career hits between Radford (30), Furman (58) and Creighton (8).
- Kenzie Schopfer enters this weekend's tournament with 94 career strikeouts, six shy of recording 100 in her collegiate career.
- Sydney Potter owns 46 career RBI and is four shy of driving in 50 runs for her Bluejay career.
- Lily West is 17 hits shy of becoming the 17th Bluejays to record at least 150 career since 1999.
- Krista Wood enters this weekend with 573 career wins, two wins shy of becoming the 48th active Division I coach to record 575 career victories.
Lily West Named BIG EAST Player of the Week
Junior Lily West was named BIG EAST Player of the Week on Feb. 17 after guiding the Bluejays to a 4-1 record at the Kennesaw State Tournament.
West, a Choctaw, Okla. native, started all five games for Creighton, pacing the Bluejays with a .556 (10-of-18) batting average with a triple and 12 total bases, while collecting five RBI, six runs scored and a pair of stolen bases.
The junior standout opened the weekend with a 2-3 showing in a setback to Northern Kentucky, before delivering a pair of base hits, including a go-head RBI single back up the middle in the fifth inning to help the Jays to a 3-1 win over Morehead State.
West followed that performance by going 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored in the Bluejays 10-0 run-rule victory over Northern Kentucky. She then capped off the second day of competition going 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and three runs scored as the Bluejays held on for a 10-8 win over Kennesaw State, before recording a single and a run scored in the Bluejays finale win (6-2) over Morehead State Feb. 16.
This marks the second BIG EAST Player of the Week honor for West as she also garnered the award on April 29 last spring.
West Nearing 150 Career Hit Milestone
Junior catcher Lily West has been consistent at the plate throughout her Bluejay career, collecting 133 career hits through her first 121 career games.
The Choctaw, Okla. native is now 17 hits shy of becoming the 17th Bluejay since 1999 to record 150 career hits.
Creighton Players with 150 Career Hits Since 1999
No. Name H Years
1. Ashley Cantu 218 2017-21
2. Cayla Nielsen 209 2020-24
3. Ellen Homan 203 2011-14
4. Renae Sinkler 201 2007-10
5. Melanie Dorsey 198 2002-05
6. Stacey Rybar 194 2001-04
7. Amy Baker 191 2010-13
8. Bailey Dawson 183 2006-09
9. Liz Dike 180 2012-15
10. Abby Johnson 172 2002-05
11. Jessica Wakasugi 171 2006-09
12. Kailey Wilson 168 2019-23
13. Lauren Flores 165 2003-06
14. Jamie Reiss 164 2004-07
15. Madeline Vejvoda 162 2020-24
16. Michekke Koch 161 2007-10
- Lily West 133 2023-Pres.
Fast Starts Leads to Success
Creighton has jumped out to early leads and that has paid dividends as the Bluejays are 4-0 when scoring first and 3-0 when scoring in the first inning this season.
In addition, CU has manufactured some big scoring innings to help secure those victories, outscoring its opponents 21-3 in the first and second innings this season.
The Bluejays have scored four or more runs in a single inning six times this year, including five runs in the first inning of the Bluejays 10-0 run-rule victory over Northern Kentucky and the Jays 10-8 win over Kennesaw State on Feb. 15.
Below is a list of BIG scoring innings for the Bluejays this season.
Date Opponents Runs Inn.
2/7 Purdue Fort Wayne 4 2nd
2/7 Purdue Fort Wayne 4 4th
2/15 Northern Kentucky 5 1st
2/15 Northern Kentucky 4 2nd
2/15 Kennesaw State 5 1st
2/16 Morehead State 4 5th
RBI Queens
Junior Erika Perez and sophomore Sydney Potter have both delivered in a big way early on for the Bluejays this season.
The duo has combined for 25 of the teams 48 RBI this season, while slugging 10 doubles (five each) and four home runs (two each).
Potter and Perez currently lead the BIG EAST with five doubles apiece, while Potter ranks third in the league with 13 RBI. Perez is not far behind with 12 RBI of her own as the tandem have generated eight multi-RBI games already this season.
In total, Potter has collected 46 career RBI in 56 career games on 14 doubles and 11 home runs. In comparison, Amy Baker, the Bluejays all-time RBI leader, recorded 46 RBI in her first 58 games as a Bluejay back in 2010.
Bluejay Bullpen
While relief pitching in softball doesn't play a huge role in the game, Creighton's relievers are making sure it doesn't get overlooked. In 10 relief appearances this season, the Bluejay bullpen has a combined 1.77 ERA and a 4-0 record.
The CU pen has tossed 27.2 innings and struck out 18, while limiting foes to a .196 batting average. Brooke Shifflett, Brooklyn Patchen and Kenzie Schopfer have allowed just two earned runs in a combined 12.1 innings of relief this season.
Below is a breakdown of the Bluejays starting pitching stats vs. the Bluejays relief pitching stats.
Category Starters Relief
Record 3-3 4-0
ERA 3.29 1.77
IP 38.1 27.2
Hits 35 20
Runs 25 10
ER 18 7
SO 26 18
Double Trouble
Over the last two season's Creighton has consistently been able to snag extra-bases, and that has been the case once again this season.
Through the first 10 games of this year, the Bluejays have recorded 20 doubles, including five in CU's season-opening win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 7 and five more in the Jays win 10-8 win over Kennesaw State on Feb. 15.
The 20 doubles are the Bluejays most through the first 10 games of a season since the 1993 Lady Jays hit 22 of their school-record 79 doubles in the first 10 games of the season.
CU has recorded 77 doubles each of the last two season, tying for the second most in a single season and falling two shy of the school record 79 hit during the 1993 season.
Overall, the 154 doubles hit over the last two years are the most doubles in a two-year span in program history.
Rank Doubles Year
1. 79 1993
2. 77 2024
77 2023
4. 74 2001
5. 73 1999
6. 71 2004
7. 65 1997
65 1989
9. 64 2005
10. 63 1994
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, opening the season with five wins when scoring at least five runs.
Over the last 25 seasons, Creighton is 380-54 when scoring five or more runs. In the same time span Creighton is 243-413-3 when scoring four runs or fever.
Creighton is also 164-36 when scoring five or more runs in a game since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.
Last spring, the Bluejays went an impressive 23-0 record when scoring at least five runs in a game. In those 23 contests, Creighton outscored their opponents, 192-66.
During that same time frame the Bluejays are 97-4 when scoring eight or more runs, which included a perfect 15-0 record in 2024. Including the Jays four wins this season and the 15 wins they had last year, Creighton has now won 28 consecutive games when scoring eight or more runs dating back to a 9-8 loss at St. John's on April 2, 2022.
Additionally, Creighton has won 36 straight games when scoring 10+ runs. The last such loss was a 13-10 setback to South Dakota on April 27, 2017.
West Staying Durable
Junior catcher Lily West has been a fixture in the Bluejays starting lineup since stepping foot on campus in 2023 and is reaching uncharted territory as she has started in all 121 games of her Bluejay career.
Her 121 consecutive starts are the longest starting streak since Madeline Vejvoda started 174 consecutive games from 2020- 2024.
West Hitting Way Into Top-10
Entering her junior season with the Bluejays, Lily West looks to continue her climb up the Bluejay ranks in career batting average.
After the first two weekends of play, West currently ranks sixth all-time with a .340 career batting average. The Choctaw, Okla. native is pacing the Bluejays offensive with a team-best .441 batting average on a BIG EAST leading 15 total hits this season.
The standout junior now owns 133 hits in her Bluejays career and is closing in on becoming just 17th Bluejays since 1999 to record 150 career base hits.
West ended her sophomore season with 118 career hits, a total that ranked second-most for a career through two seasons in program history.
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. .340 Lily West 133-391 2023-pr.
7. .336 Renae Sinkler 201-599 2007-10
8. .333 Cayla Nielsen 209-627 2020-24
9. .331 Kiara Mills 123-372 2019-22
10. .328 Melanie Dorsey 198-604 2002-05
Walking Off With Victories
Creighton ended their stay at the Kickin' Chicken Classic with some late game heroics as sophomore Sydney Potter delivered a two-run, two-out walk-off homerun to straight center to give Creighton a 4-3 win over Purdue Fort Wayne.
Potter's walk-off blast was the Bluejays first walk-off home run since Emma Rosonke launched a three-run home run in a 9-1 run-rule victory over Abilene Christian on Feb. 13, 2022.
Since the beginning of the 2021 season, Creighton has recorded a total of five victories via walk-off home runs.
The Bluejays owned five walk-off wins in 2021, including three walk-off home runs, three walk-offs in 2022, zero in 2023 and three more in 2024.
Below is a list of Creighton's walk-off wins since 2021.
Score Play (player) Date
4-3 vs. PDW 2-RBI HR (Potter) 2/9/25
12-4 vs. Villanova RBI-Single (Gappa) 4/6/24
8-7 vs. VIllanova RBI-2B (Rosonke) 4/5/24
9-1 vs. North Dakota RBI-Single (Gappa) 3/17/24
7-6 vs. Providence RBI-2B (Mills) 3/26/22
14-6 (6) vs. Oakland RBI-Single (Alm) 3/5/22
9-1 (5) vs Abilene Christian 3-RBI HR (Rosonke) 2/13/22
10-2 (6) vs. UIC RBI-1B (Gappa) 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.
Potter Bombs
Sophomore Sydney Potter worked her way into the Bluejays starting lineup last season, in large part of her power at the plate.
The Runnells, Iowa native currently is tied for the team-lead with five doubles and a pair of home runs, while owning a team-best 13 RBI and a .656 slugging percentage this season.
In just 56 career games, Potter has recorded 14 doubles and 11 total home runs, while driving in 46 total runs. In fact, 25 of her 39 career hits have been extra-base hits.
Free Softball
Creighton played it first extra inning game of the season this past Sunday, picking up a 4-3 8-inning win over Purdue Fort Wayne in the finale at the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C.
Sophomore Sydney Potter lifted the Bluejays to the victory, launching a two-run home run to straight away center in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Potter's two-run walk-off blast was the Bluejays first walk-off home run since Emma Rosonke launched a three-run home run in a 9-1 run-rule victory over Abilene Christian on Feb. 13, 2022.
Last season the Bluejays played seven extra-inning games, recording a 6-1 record. Overall, Creighton is 95-96-2 all-time in extra innings games, including a 19-14 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.
Seville Gone Streaking!
Sydra Seville had her career-best hitting streak snapped at 18 straight games on Feb. 8 after recording the longest hit streak by a Bluejays since at least 1999 on her first career out of the park home run in an 10-2 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne.
In addition to recording a having her 18-game hit streak snapped, Seville also had an 18-game on-base streak broken on Saturday when failing to reach base safely. Seville's 18-game on-base streak was the longest by a Bluejay since Kailey Wilson reached base safely in 19 straight games back in 2022.
The New Lenox, Ill. native hit a blistering .517 (30-of-58) with 30 hits, nine RBI, 12 runs scored and four stolen bases over her 18-games hitting streak, dating back to last season, where Seville earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honors and a spot on the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team.
Below is a list of Creighton's top hitting streaks since 1999 and the Bluejays top on-base streaks since 2010.
Longest Creighton Hitting Streaks Since 1999
Hit Streak Player Year
18 Sydra Seville 2024-25
17 Renae Sinkler 2008
17 Jamie Reiss 2007
14 Liz Dike 2015
14 Marie Gieron 2001
13 Ashley Cantu 2019
13 Jayci Foster 2018
13 Ellen Homan 2012
Longest Creighton On-Base Streaks Since 2010
OB Streak Player Year
37 Amy Baker 2013
28 Alexis Cantu 2012
21 Ashley Cantu 2019
20 Anna O'Gorman 2017
20 Kelsey Allender 2015
19 Kailey Wilson 2022
18 Sydra Seville 2024-25
18 Cayla Nielsen 2024
17 Cayla Nielsen 2023
17 Alexis Cantu 2013
16 Michelle Trulin 2016
15 Amy Baker 2012
Seville Lands on BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Senior Sydra Seville earned a spot on the BIG EAST's first weekly honor roll on Feb. 10 after hitting an impressive .444 (8-of-18) with two doubles, a home run, two walks, four RBI and four runs scored as the Bluejays opened the season with a trio of victories over Purdue Fort Wayne at the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C.
The New Lenox, Ill. native opened her senior year with a career day, recording three hits and a career-high two doubles and two RBI in the Jays' 8-4 season-opening win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday afternoon. Seville then collected a pair of hits and a run against Coastal Carolina in the night cap to extend her hit streak to 17 straight games dating back to last season.
The senior lefty then became the first Bluejay since at least 1999 to record a hit in 18 straight games after recording a pair of base knocks, including her first out of the park home run, in Creighton's 10-2 win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday morning.
Seville's hit streak came to an end in a loss to Coastal Carolina on Saturday afternoon, before closing the weekend with a game-tying RBI single and a run scored in the Bluejays walk-off 4-3 win on Sunday over Purdue Fort Wayne.
It Gets Earlier Every Year
Creighton's season-opener at the Kickin' Chicken Classic against Purdue Fort Wayne took place on February 7, tied for the third-earliest start date for a season-opener in Creighton softball history.
The only earlier starts in program history came in 2015 (Feb. 5) and 2014 (Feb. 6), while the Bluejays also debuted on Feb. 7 in both 2013 and 2020.
In comparison, Creighton's season-opener in 1997, its first season as a program, didn't take place until March 28.
Season Opener History
Creighton opened the 2025 campaign with an 8-4 win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 7, lifting the Bluejays to 23-26 (.469) all-time record in season-openers, including a 4-8 mark in lid-lifters since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.
The Bluejays, however, have outscored foes by an average of 4.27 to 4.10 runs per game in the 49 season-openers.
Head coach Krista Wood is 14-5 all-time in lid-lifters, including a 7-5 mark at the Division I level. Wood also sported a 7-1 record in season-openers at Wayne State College.
Date School Opponent Result
3/4/07 Wayne St. Dominican College W, 6-1
3/3/08 Wayne St. St. Anselm (N.Y.) W, 2-0
2/20/09 Wayne St. Colorado Mines W, 3-2
2/26/10 Wayne St. Washburn L, 2-3 (8)
2/18/11 Wayne St. Regis W, 8-0
3/3/12 Wayne St. Gannon W, 6-4
3/3/13 Wayne St. W. Virgina Wesleyan W, 5-4
2/21/14 Wayne St. Nebraska-Kearney W, 11-2
2/7/15 SDSU Utah State W, 6-4
2/12/16 SDSU Green Bay L, 7-10
2/10/17 SDSU Montana L, 5-6
2/9/18 SDSU Kansas City W, 5-3
2/8/19 SDSU Saint Louis W, 6-0
2/7/20 SDSU DePaul W, 4-1
2/12/21 SDSU Iowa State L, 2-4
2/11/22 SDSU Northern Iowa W, 2-1 (9)
2/11/23 Creighton Detroit Mercy W, 4-3
2/9/24 Creighton Southern Illinois L, 0-3
2/7/25 Creighton Purdue Ft. Wayne W, 8-4
Making Opening Statements
Despite holding a 23-26 record in season-openers, Creighton has outscored its opponents 209-201 in 49 season-opening contests.
In the Bluejays' 23 victories, they averaged an impressive 7.00 runs per game, including five or more runs on 12 different occasions. The Bluejays have also held its opponents to just 1.39 runs per contests in its 23 lid-lifting victories.
Creighton, however, has only averaged 1.85 runs per game and has allowed 6.04 runs per contests during its 26 season-opening losses.
CU Season-Opener Run Differential
CU Runs Scored Runs Allowed
Overall 209 (4.27) 201 (4.10)
In Wins 161 (7.00) 32 (1.39)
In Losses 48 (1.85) 169 (6.04)
Mix of Old and New
Creighton returns 12 letterwinners from last season's squad that posted its first 35-win season since 2010 but welcomes in nine new players to the Bluejay program.
Of this season's nine new faces, six are freshmen and three are incoming transfers from, Furman, Nebraska and Wichita State.
By comparison, the Bluejays have had at least nine newcomers in each of the last three seasons.
Making an Entrance
Creighton had seven players make their Bluejay debut during opening weekend at the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C. Of those seven players who made their debut, three of them made their Bluejay debut while in the Jays starting lineup.
Since joining the BIG EAST in 2014, Creighton has only had 14 true freshmen start the season opener. Last season, Ashten Pierson got the starting nod at shortstop and went on to become the first freshman in league history to earn BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors, while Sydney Potter earned the start as designated player.
Below is a look at how Creighton's Current players have done in their Creighton debuts, as well as a list of Bluejay freshmen to earn a season-opening start since 2013.
Name AB H R 2B HR RBI
Seville 1 0 0 0 0 0
Dalton 0 0 1 0 0 0
Perez* 3 1 0 0 0 1
West** 3 1 0 0 0 0
Smith 0 0 0 0 0 0
Potter** 2 0 0 0 0 0
Pierson** 2 0 0 0 0 0
Schultz** 2 0 0 0 0 0
Davis 0 0 1 0 0 0
Patchen 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nakasawa** 3 1 0 0 0 0
Smetter** 4 2 1 0 0 1
Barnard 1 0 0 0 0 0
Poole* 3 0 0 0 0 0
McCutcheon 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ramos 1 0 0 0 0 0
Fullerton 1 0 0 0 0 0
Name IP H R ER K BB
Schopfer** 6.0 4 3 3 5 2
Shifflet 0.0 1 0 0 0 0
Rusher 3.2 3 3 1 4 1
* - Started Bluejay Debut
**-Started Bluejay Debut in Season-Opener
Bluejay True Freshman to Start Season Opener Since 2013
Year Name Position
*2024 Ashten Pierson Shortstop
*2024 Sydney Potter DP
*2023 Lily West Catcher
2023 Natalia Puchino Pitcher
2023 Ensley Frame Shortstop
2019 Kailey Wilson DP
2019 Sam Alm First Base
2017 Ashley Cantu Right Field
2017 Sam Dellinger Left Field
2015 Tash Coffiel Third Base
2014 Jen Daro First Base
2014 Jessica Lewis Second Base
2013 Kelsey Allender Left Field
Current Player in Bold
Starting On The Right Foot
Creighton opened the 2025 season with a 3-2 showing at the Kickin' Chicken Classic on Feb. 7-9. It was the seventh time since joining the BIG EAST in 2014 that Creighton has finished the first weekend of the season with exactly three wins.
2025: 3-2 in Conway, S.C.
2024: 3-2 in San Marcos, Texas
2023: 2-2 in Rosemont, Ill.
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 wins in the opening weekend of the season was in 2021 when the Bluejays were swept in a three-game series at Wichita State. On the flip side, the last time Creighton finished the opening weekend with fewer than two losses was 2012 when the Bluejays swept a four-game series against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and started the season 7-0.
Additionally, 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.
Tough Sledding
Creighton has never shied away from playing a tough schedule, and that is no different in 2025. The Bluejays will play five different teams that made the 2024 NCAA Tournament, as well as Preseason Top-25 ranked Nebraska on April 9.
Coaching is Key
After leading the Bluejays to a 36-win season, its first 35-win season since 2010, and a runner-up finish in both the BIG EAST regular-season and tournament, the Creighton Softball coaching staff was named the BIG EAST Co-Coaching Staff of the Year.
In just two seasons as the Creighton head coach, Krista Wood has engineered one of the nation's greatest turnarounds, improving the Bluejays by 21 wins over the past two years.
She has coached five first team and two second team All-BIG EAST picks, while also recruiting and coaching the 2024 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year (Natalia Puchino) and the 2024 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year (Ashten Pierson). In addition, Wood has also coached four NFCA All-Great Lakes Region, seven College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and 27 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete members during her first two seasons.
Production Returns
Creighton returns six regular starters from last spring's team that finished 36-22 and capped off the year as the runner-up in both the BIG EAST regular-season and tournament.
All told, CU returns 51.7 percent of its starts, 51.7 percent of its hits, 53.0 percent of its runs, 42.9 percent of its doubles, 57.7 percent of its home runs, 48.0 percent of its RBI and 46.7 percent of its walks off last year's squad.
The Bluejays, however, only return 33.5 percent of its innings pitched, 33.2 percent of its strikeouts, 19.4 percent of its pitching wins and 60.8 percent of its putouts from last season's team.
Below is a breakdown of the production that is back:
Stat Returners Departures
Starts 300 (51.7%) 280 (48.3%)
Hits 215 (51.7%) 201 (48.3%)
Runs 131 (53.0%) 116 (47.0%)
Doubles 33 (42.9%) 44 (57.1%)
Home Runs 15 (57.7%) 11 (42.3%)
RBI 109 (48.0%) 118 (52.0%)
Walks 72 (49.7%) 73 (50.3%)
IP 126.3 (33.5%) 250.5 (66.5%)
K's 96 (33.2%) 193 (66.8%)
Wins 7 (19.4%) 29 (80.6%)
PO 690 (60.8%) 445 (39.2%)
Bluejays Tabbed Fourth In Preseason Poll
Coming off the programs most successful season in over a decade, the Creighton softball team was picked to finish fourth in the 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Friday, January 17.
Creighton received one first-place vote and a total of 43 points, falling three points shy of St. John's who was picked third with 46 points. Defending BIG EAST regular-season and tournament champion Villanova was tabbed the preseason favorite by the league coaches, earning six first-place votes and 61 points overall, while UConn generated two first-place votes and 57 points to finish second.
Seton Hall checked in at fifth with 39 points, while Butler (28) edged out Providence (27) by one point for fifth. DePaul (14) and Georgetown (9) rounded out the poll in the eighth and ninth position respectfully.
The home portion of the Bluejays schedule begins on March 11 when the Jays welcome in former Missouri Valley Conference rival Drake.
BIG EAST play begins on March 7 when Creighton travels to take on Providence in Rhode Island. The top six finishers in the BIG EAST regular-season standings will qualify for the BIG EAST Championship presented by Jeep, with the winner receiving the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Regionals.
2024 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Villanova (6) - 61
UConn (2) - 57
St. John's - 46
Creighton (1) - 43
Seton Hall - 39
Butler - 28
Providence - 27
DePaul - 14
Georgetown – 9
Bluejay To Be Feature Six Time on 2025 TV Schedule
The Creighton softball team will be featured a total of seven times this season on the BIG EAST 2025 Television Schedule, the league announced on January 28.
In addition to Creighton playing four home games and two road contests on the BIG EAST Digital Network (BEDN), the Bluejays game against UConn on March 29 will be highlighted on FS1.
Creighton softball's first BEDN appearance comes against Providence on March 7 at 2:00 p.m., followed by a contest at Villanova on March 16 at 10 a.m. The Bluejays' home games on BEDN begin against UConn on March 28 at 4 p.m. and on March 31 at 10 a.m., followed by a contest with St. John's on April 17 at 5:30 p.m. and capped off by a May 5 contest against Seton Hall at 11:00 a.m.
The BIG EAST Softball Championship follows on FS2, with the second semifinals on May 9 at 5 p.m., while the BIG EAST Championship will be aired live on FS1 on Saturday, May 10 at 3 p.m., with the if-necessary game scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on FS2. The Softball Championship is set to be hosted by Villanova at the Villanova Softball Complex.
Furnal and Vejvoda Join Bluejay Coaching Staff
Garrett Furnal was named an assistant coach on August 15, while former Bluejay Madeline Vejvoda rejoined the Creighton softball program on July 17 as a graduate assistant coach.
Furnal comes to Creighton after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at Northern Iowa, during which time the Panthers went 104-42 overall and won a pair of Missouri Valley Conference regular-season titles after compiling a 66-9 record in league play.
Serving as the Panthers outfield and hitting coach, Furnal was part of UNI's 2022 and 2023 MVC Coaching Staff of the Year who helped develop nine NFCA All-Region and 18 All-MVC selections, including two MVC Players of the Year and two MVC Freshmen of the Year selections.
Under Furnal's guidance, UNI rewrote the Panthers record book, setting seven single-season team records, including batting average (.323), slugging percentage (.572), on-base percentage (.420), runs scored (348), doubles (97), home runs (73) and stolen bases (90). In addition, the Panthers led the MVC in batting average, runs, walks, total bases and hits, while established new MVC records with 97 doubles and 330 RBI in 2023.
Furnal's hitters also led the MVC in home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS each of the last three years, while ranking in the top-10 nationally in doubles per game (1st), OPS (2nd), total doubles (4th), slugging percentage (4th), scoring (5th), on-base percentage (6th) and home runs per game (7th) in 2023.
Furnal joined the UNI coaching staff after spending three seasons at Ohio University two years at UNC Wilmington, two years at Presbyterian College and one year at the University of Monroe.
Vejvoda joins Wood's staff as a graduate assistant after spending the previous five seasons (2020-2024) in a Bluejay uniform, where she made 184 starts and appeared in 197 games. The La Vista, Neb. native posted a .293 career batting average, collecting 162 hits, 29 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 79 RBI while scoring a total of 100 runs.
Vejvoda, a 2024 unanimous All-BIG EAST First Team and NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team second baseman, guided the Bluejays to its first 35-win since 2010 while leading the team with 32 runs scored and a .404 on-base percentage as a senior. She also ranked second on the team in batting average (.353), hits, (61), doubles (12) and walks (17), while recording a team-high six of the Bluejays new school record 20 sacrifice flies in 2024.
In the classroom, Vejvoda was a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree and a three-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete. She was also a five-time member of the BIG EAST All-Academic Team and a nine-time honoree on the Creighton honor roll.
