Softball Hosts UConn on National Stage in Key BIG EAST Series

Game #28-30: Connecticut Huskies (16-11, 5-1 BIG EAST) at Creighton Bluejays (11-16, 1-5 BIG EAST)
Friday, March 28, 2025 (DH) • 2 p.m. • 4:30 p.m. • Saturday, March 29, 2025 • 4 p.m. • FS1
Omaha, Neb. • Creighton Sports Complex
LIVE VIDEO (FRIDAY) | LIVE VIDEO (SATURDAY) | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)

This Weekend

Creighton (11-16, 1-5 BIG EAST) continues BIG EAST play on the national stage, hosting Connecticut (16-11, 5-1 BIG EAST) for a three-game series at the Creighton Sports Complex this weekend.

The series opens on Friday afternoon with a doubleheader scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. matchup on FS1 on Saturday.

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.

Friday and Sunday's Broadcast Information

Both of Friday's contests against Connecticut will be streamed on BEDN - FloSports, with Jake Ryan and Jon Schriner on the call both days.

The Creighton Softball schedule page at gocreighton.com has direct links to each broadcast, which even more specifics provided at http://GoCreighton.com/flosports. If you sign up via a "@creighton.edu" address, it costs $6.99 per month. If you don't have one of those, click on the video webcast link on the Creighton Softball schedule page and it will cost (and automatically renew) at $14.99 per month.

Saturday's Broadcast Information

Saturday's games against the Huskies will be nationally-televised on FS1, with David Brown and Maria Trivelpiece on the broadcast. The contest will be streamed at http://FoxSports.com/live.

Promotions

This weekend is Heroes' Weekend at the CU Sports Complex. The Bluejays will honor the Healthcare and First Responders on Friday, while Saturday is Military Appreciation Day. All teachers and educators will be recognized for Educators Appreciation Day on Sunday morning.

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 (11-16, 1-5 BIG EAST)

Struggling of late, Creighton enters the weekend with a 11-16 overall record, having dropped 12 of their last 14 contests, including a three-game series against Seattle and a matchup against St. Thomas this past weekend.

The Bluejays currently sit in seventh in the BIG EAST standings with a 1-5 record in league play, having dropped series at Providence and preseason favorites Villanova.

Offensively, Creighton is hitting .278 with 37 doubles, seven triples, 16 home runs and 110 RBI, while scoring 120 runs on 39 stolen bases.

The Bluejays are led offensively by senior Sydra Seville, who is hitting an impressive .396 on a team-high 38 hits, including four doubles, two triples and a home run, while driving in 13 RBI and scoring a team-best 18 runs of her own.

Sophomore Ashten Pierson has come alive as of late, posting a .308 batting average on 20 hits and six walks. Graduate Hanna Poole follows closely behind with a .305 average with four doubles, a triple and a home run.

Junior Lily West is another top offensive weapon for the Jays this season. She is hitting .295 on 28 hits, including three double and one triple while ranking second on the team with 14 total runs scored.

Providing much of the power in the middle of the lineup has been sophomore Sydney Potter, who hits .267 and has driven in a team-leading 23 RBI on five doubles and four home.

Junior Erika Perez has also provided a spark offensively, boasting a .282 average, driving in 20 runs on a team-leading seven doubles and four home runs.

Sophomore's Brooke Shifflett and Brooklyn Patchen have led the Bluejays pitching staff through the midway portion of the schedule. Patchen owns a 3.29 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 61.2 innings of work, while Shifflett owns a 6-4 overall record and has logged a 3.14 ERA and 45 punchout in 49.0 innings pitched this season.

Freshman Abby Rusher has also provided a spark in her relief outing this spring, collected a team-best 2.53 ERA with 17 strikeouts during 27.3 innings, while Kenzie Schopfer has provided a 4.75 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 45.2 innings of support.

As a staff, the Bluejays rank second in the BIG EAST with a 3.35 ERA and 133 strikeouts while also holding its opponents to a league-low 164 hits so far this season.

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 577-387 career record, including a 69-69 mark at Creighton.

Scouting Connecticut (16-11, 5-1 BIG EAST)

Connecticut is 16-11 this season but sits in a tie atop the BIG EAST standings with a 5-1 league mark after posting series wins over Villanova and Seton Hall.

Offensively, the Huskies have displayed power up and down the lineup this season, ranking third in the BIG EAST with a .297 batting average as six players enter the weekend hitting over a .320. Additionally, UConn ranks third in the league in runs (153), hits (223), RBI (145), home runs (28) and stolen bases (41).

Senior Rosie Garcia, a 2024 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, paces the Huskies offensive with a .378 batting average (7th in BIG EAST), on 31 hits including seven doubles. Junior catcher Grace Jenkins follows closely behind with a .372 batting average, while leading the conference with 10 doubles, and a team-best eight home runs, and 31 RBI.

Also hitting better than .320 this season is freshman Cat Petteys (.355), the reigning BIG EAST Player of the Year Lexi Hastings (.347), junior Kaiea Higa (.329) and sophomore Kaitlyn Breslin (.324).

Breslin was recently named the BIG EAST Player of the week after hitting a league-leading .727, going 8-for-11 with one home run, two doubles, three runs scored, and six RBI last weekend at Seton Hall.

In the circle, Connecticut ranks sixth in the BIG EAST with a team ERA of 4.72, while ranking fourth in the league in strikeouts (118) and third in opponent batting average (.264).

The Huskies rely heavily on All-BIG EAST Pitcher Payton Kinney who boasts a 5-2 record, a 1.72 ERA, and holds opponents to a .188 batting average. Alongside Kinney is All-BIG EAST Second Team Selection Hope Jenkins, who has also recorded a 5-2 record but leads the team in strikeouts with 47 in 58.1 innings pitched this season.

Connecticut was picked to finished second the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll as head coach Laura Valentino is currently in her sixth season leading the Huskies.

Series History Against the Huskies

Creighton and Connecticut have met 15 times previously, with the Huskies holding an 11-4 edge in the all-time series.

The Bluejays won the first two meeting in the series, but had dropped nine consecutive contests before claiming a 2-1 extra-innings win last season in Storrs.

In the last meeting, CU used quality pitching from Brooklyn Patchen, Brooke Shifflett and Kenzie Schopfer to upset the Huskies, 10-6 in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Tournament last May.

Connecticut is 5-1 all-time against the Bluejays in games played in Omaha, with CU's lone win coming back on March 20, 2021.

Head coach Krista Wood is 2-6 all-time against Connecticut as a head coach.

Keys to the Game

• Eliminate Free Bases: Creighton pitching has struggled with command recently, walking 39 batters over the last seven games and 73 in the month of March.

• Limit BIG Innings: The Bluejays must keep UConn from scoring in bunches. The Huskies have scored more than three runs in an inning 21 times this season, while CU has had 12 innings this year where opponents have scored more than three runs.

• Capitalize on Scoring Opportunities: Creighton has been a solid hitting team in situational hitting this season. The Bluejays are hitting .422 with a runner on third and less than 2-outs and .293 with runners in scoring position.

Milestone Watch

- Lily West is four hits shy of becoming the 17th Bluejays to record at least 150 career hits since 1999.

- With a start on Friday and Saturday, Lily West will start the 140th consecutive game of her career.

- Sydra Seville owns 91 career hits and is nine shy of 100 for her career.

- Sydra Seville has stolen 12 bases this season and is now four stolen bases shy of tying Aujanae McCoy, Melanie Dorsey and Danielle Fitzgerald for 10th on CU's singles season stolen bases list.

- Kenzie Schopfer enters the weekend needing 11 strikeouts to record 100 K's as a Bluejay.

- Ashten Pierson is two hits shy of recording 50 career hits.

- With a start in all three games this weekend against UConn, Ella Dalton will earn the 100th start of her career.

- Ella Dalton is five RBI shy of 50 for her Bluejay career.

Krista vs. The BIG EAST

Throughout her career, head coach Krista Wood's teams played some of their best softball against BIG EAST competition.

Entering her third season with the Bluejays, Wood's currently owns a 26-33 record in the BIG EAST with at least one victory over every team in the league.

In her eight seasons with South Dakota State, Wood's compiled a 21-5 overall record against the BIG EAST, including a 17-1 mark in her final six seasons that featured 11 straight victories.

In total, Wood's owns a 47-38 overall record against teams from the BIG EAST.

Below is a breakdown of Wood's record against every BIG EAST team.

Opponent SDSU CU

Butler 3-0 4-3

Creighton 10-4 0-0

DePaul 2-0 5-1

Georgetown 0-0 4-2

Providence 2-1 4-5

Seton Hall 1-0 1-5

St. John's 1-0 4-3

Connecticut 0-0 2-6

Villanova 2-0 2-8

Totals 21-5 26-33

Bluejays Keeping it Close

Through the first 27 games of the season, Creighton has already played 13 games decided by two or less runs, including nine one-run contests.

Despite keeping it close, the Bluejays are just 4-9 in close games this season, which including a 2-7 record in one-run games.

Last season, Creighton played 23 games decided by two or less runs, posting a 15-8 overall record, while recording an 11-5 record in one-run contests.

Seville MADNESS

Forget March Madness, senior Sydra Seville has created her own madness throughout the month of March.

The New Lenox, Ill. native is hitting a blistering .426 on a team-best 23 hits. She has driven in seven runs on two doubles and two triples while scoring 10 runs of her own on nine stolen bases.

Seville has carried her hot bat into BIG EAST play, owning a league-best .619 batting average while ranking tied for second with 13 hits.

The star junior has also recorded nine of her team-leading 14 multi-hit games in the month of March.

Seville's Finest

Senior outfielder Sydra Seville is having a career season at the plate, batting .396 (No. 5 in BIG EAST) on a season-best 38 hits (No. 4 in BE).

The standout junior leads the BIG EAST with two triples, while surpassing her career total with 13 RBI this spring.

Seville's numbers this season are astonishing compared to her numbers in her first three seasons as a Bluejay.

Category 2022-24 2025

Batting Average .269 .396

Doubles 3 4

Triples 1 2

Homeruns 1 1

RBI 9 13

Walks 16 10

Stolen Bases 7 12

On-base Percentage .326 .453

Potter Rakes

Junior first baseman Sydney Potter leads the team and ranks tied for ninth in the BIG EAST with 23 RBI this season. She has recorded a team-best six multi-RBI games, including three such games with three RBI this season.

The Runnells, Iowa native currently ranks second on the team with five doubles and is tied for the team-lead with four home runs, while owning a .456 slugging percentage this season.

In total, Potter has collected 56 career RBI in 73 career games on 14 doubles and 13 home runs. In fact, 27 of her 53 career hits have been extra-base hits. In comparison, Amy Baker, the Bluejays all-time RBI leader, recorded 49 RBI in her first 73 games as a Bluejay back in 2010-11.

West Nearing 150 Career Hit Milestone

Junior catcher Lily West has been consistent at the plate throughout her Bluejay career, hitting .323 with 146 career hits in 138 career games.

The Choctaw, Okla. native is now just four 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 146 2023-Pres.

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 138 games of her Bluejay career.

Her 138 consecutive starts are the longest starting streak by a Bluejay since Madeline Vejvoda started the final 174 games in her Bluejay career from 2020- 2024.

Can't Keep Her Off Bases

Senior Sydra Seville reached base safely in 21 straight games before having her streak snapped on March 22 in three at-bats against Seattle. The 21-game on-base streak was Creighton's longest streak since Ashley Cantu also reached base safely in 21 consecutive games in 2019.

The New Lenox, Ill. native also had an 18-game on-base streak snapped earlier this season, a streak that dated back to last season. Since 2010, Seville is the only Bluejay to record multiple 18-game on-base streaks.

The standout senior has reached base safely in 25 of the 27 games this season and in 40 of the Bluejays last 42 games dating back to April 19, 2024.

Longest Creighton On-Base Streaks Since 2010

OB Streak Player Year

37 Amy Baker 2013

28 Alexis Cantu 2012

21 Sydra Seville 2025

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 Keeps Hitting

Senior Sydra Seville had her career-best 18 -game hitting streak snapped on Feb. 8 after recording the longest hit streak by a Bluejay since at least 1999 on her first career out of the park home run in an 10-2 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne.

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 the end of last season, where Seville earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honors and a spot on the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team.

Seville then collected at least one hit in 11 straight contests from March 1 to March 21. During her hitting streak, she hit .500 (21-of-42), with eight multi-hit games.

In all, Seville has recorded a hit in 21 of the 27 games this season, boasting a team-best .396 average on a team leading 38 hits, including four doubles, two triples and a home run.

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

Bluejay Thieves

Creighton has recorded 39 stolen bases this season, a total that currently ranking fourth in the BIG EAST behind only St. John's (56), Butler (55) and UConn (41).

After opening the season with just eight stolen bases in their first 10 contests, the Bluejays have been more aggressive on the base paths, collecting 31 stolen bags in the last 17 games.

By comparison, the Bluejays stole a total of 24 bases in 58 total games last season. Prior to this season the Bluejays had only recorded more than 30 stolen bases in three seasons since joining the BIG EAST in 2014. In addition, the Bluejays are four stolen bases shy of tying its BIG EAST single season record of 43 stolen bases, which was set in 2016.

The Jays collected a season-high seven stolen bases against UC Santa Barbara on March 2. The Bluejays seven steals were two shy of the school record and were tied for the second-most in a single game in program history and the most since also collecting seven stolen bases against Bradley on March 31, 2001.

Below is a breakdown of the stolen bases totals since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.

Year SB SB Att. SB%

2025 39 43 90.7

2024 24 29 82.8

2023 20 26 75.9

2022 22 29 75.9

2021 14 18 77.8

2020 18 23 78.3

2019 29 40 72.5

2018 21 25 84.0

2017 22 34 64.7

2016 43 50 86.0

2015 30 39 76.9

2014 39 52 75.0

Out of the Gates

Creighton has jumped out to early leads, but that hasn't always paid dividends as the Bluejays are 7-7 when scoring first and 4-6 when scoring in the first inning this season.

CU has manufactured some big scoring innings early on in contests, outscoring its opponents 43-19 in the first and second innings this season.

The Bluejays have scored four or more runs in a single inning 10 times this year, including five runs in the first inning of the Bluejays 10-0 run-rule victory over Northern Kentucky, five runs in the Jays 10-8 win over Kennesaw State on Feb. 15 and five addition runs in the first inning against Seattle last Friday.

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

3/1 Saint Mary's 4 4th

3/8 Providence 4 6th

3/11 Drake 4 4th

3/21 Seattle 5 1st

Keeping it Consistent

Part of CU's success this season can be attributed to knowing who will be starting on a game-by-game basis.

This season, Ashten Pierson (Shortstop), Erika Perez (third base), Lily West (catcher/DP), Sydra Seville (Right Field/Center field) and Sydney Potter (First base, Catcher, DP) have started all 27 game this season. Ella Dalton has also earned the start in centerfield in 25 of the 26 games she has played in this season, while Lynn Davis has started 19 of the 27 games out in left field this spring,

Sticky Situation

Below are some interesting facts when breaking down the CU lineup.

• Sydra Seville is hitting .500 (19-of-38) as CU's leadoff hitter and a blistering .458 (11-of-24) with runners in scoring position this season.

• In addition, Sydra Seville is hitting .405 (17-of-42) with runners on base and .385 (10-of-26) with two-outs.

• Lily West hits .364 (20-of-55) with runners on base and .343 (12-of-35) when those runners are in scoring position.

• Additionally, Lily West hits .388 when batting third in the lineup, but just .209 when batting first or second.

• Twenty-three of Sydney Potter's hits this season have come while she is either playing first base or when she is catching. She has only recorded one hit in 11 at-bats as CU's designated player.

• All 65 of Ashten Pierson's at bats this year have come from the ninth spot in the order.

Home Sweet Home

Creighton owns a 500-277-1 (.644) all-time record in home games, which includes a 366-225-1 (.619) record at home since moving into the CU Sports Complex in 1988. Earlier this season, the Bluejays secured it 500th all-time win at home with an 9-6 win over former MVC rival Drake on March 11th.

Creighton finished last season with a 16-3 record at the home. The Bluejays 16 home wins were the most wins in the CU Sports Complex since the 2008 Bluejays finished the home schedule with a 19-2 overall record.

In addition, it was just the second time this century that Creighton had recorded 16 or more home wins in a single season.

Most Home Wins at CU Sports Complex

Record Year

24-4 1989

19-7 1988

19-2 2008

16-3 2024

16-7 1991

Bluejay Milestone Home Victories

Win Opponent Date Result

1 Nebraska Wesleyan 4/10/77 W, 7-6

100 Simpson 4/19/85 W, 15-0

200 Nebraska 3/21/92 W, 7-2

300 Indiana State 4/7/02 W, 8-0

400 Bradley 4/2/11 W, 4-3

500 Drake 3/11/25 W, 9-6

Creighton At Home

Since joining the BIG EAST in 2014, the Bluejays own a 75-68 record at the Creighton Sports Complex.

The Bluejays are 1-1 this season, after splitting a doubleheader with Drake on March 11 Through the first two home games, Creighton is hitting .357 with four doubles, one home run and 11 RBI, while the Bluejay pitching staff owns a 3.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts and is holding its opponents to a .250 batting average.

Creighton finished 16-3 at home last season, which included victories over Rider, Northern Colorado, North Dakota, Villanova, South Dakota, Omaha and Providence, as well as BIG EAST series sweeps over Georgetown and DePaul

Last season, Creighton hit a blistering .349 at home with 37 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs and 106 RBI, while the Bluejay pitching staff owned a 2.05 ERA with 102 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .178 batting average.

Junior Lily West paced the Bluejay returners with a .421 batting average with five doubles, three home runs, while driving in 16 RBI. Senior Sydra Seville followed closely behind, hitting at a .417 clip with one double, one triple and 11 runs scored.

Year-by-year home records since 2014:

2025: 1-1

2024: 16-3

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

CU Sports Complex Turns Into Launching Pad

Creighton has also produced some big hitters throughout its powerful lineup over the years and the Bluejays hope to continue that trend this season.

CU blasted only one home run in the home opening doubleheader with Drake as graduate Hannah Poole launched her first home run as a Bluejay over the centerfield wall.

Last spring CU blasted a total of 24 home runs, with 16 of those coming from within the confines of the CU Sports Complex.

Sophomore Sydney Potter led the way with six home runs last year at home, while Lily West recorded three homers and Ella Dalton added in one of her own.

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).

Below takes a look at the home run 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

2 (1) 2 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

RPI Update

The latest NCAA Softball RPI, released through games of March 24, has Creighton with the seventh-best RPI in the BIG EAST.

Creighton had an RPI of 205, with big conference opportunities against UConn (56), St. John's (95), Butler (143) and Seton Hall (147) remaining on the schedule.

Creighton is 7-1 this year against teams with an RPI worse than 205, but 4-15 against teams in the top 200. The best RPI team that Creighton has beaten is No. 79 Saint Mary's.

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 seven straight wins when scoring at least five runs.

Over the last 25 seasons, Creighton is 382-57 when scoring five or more runs. In the same time span Creighton is 245-423-3 when scoring four runs or fever.

Creighton is also 166-39 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 98-4 when scoring eight or more runs, which included a perfect 15-0 record in 2024. Including the Jays' five wins this season and the 15 wins they had last year, Creighton has now won 29 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.

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 27 relief appearances this season, the Bluejay bullpen has a combined 2.89 ERA and a 5-4 record with two saves.

The CU pen has tossed 65.1 innings and struck out 48 batters, while limiting foes to a .248 batting average.

Below is a breakdown of the Bluejays starting pitching stats vs. the Bluejays relief pitching stats.

Category Starters Relief

Record 6-12 5-4

ERA 3.60 2.89

IP 118.2 65.1

Hits 101 63

Runs 79 41

ER 61 27

SO 85 48

BB 81 39

Double Trouble

Over the last two seasons Creighton has consistently been able to snag extra-bases, and that has been the case once again this season.

The Bluejays currently rank tied for fourth with 37 doubles, trailing on St. John's (46), Villanova and DePaul (38). Among the leaders in the BIG EAST is junior Erika Perez, who is tied for fourth in the league with seven two-baggers.

This spring the Bluejays have recorded a season-high five doubles twice, including five in CU's season-opening win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Feb. 7.

The 37 doubles are the Bluejays most through the first 27 games of a season since the Jays set a school record with 79 doubles during the 1993 season.

CU has recorded 77 doubles each of the last two seasons, 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

Free Softball

Creighton has played four extra-inning games this season, including three in the past two weeks at Villanova and against Seattle. The Bluejays, however, have not had the best of lucky this season, falling to 1-3 in extra-inning contests.

The Bluejays lone extra-inning win this season was a 4-3 8-inning win over Purdue Fort Wayne in the finale of the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C.

Sophomore Sydney Potter lifted the Bluejays to the victory over PFW, 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 95-97-2 all-time in extra innings games, including a 19-15 mark since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.

Amongst the Bluejays extra-inning games is Creighton's 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.

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 43 of the teams 110 RBI this season, while slugging 12 doubles and eight home runs (four each).

Perez currently own a team-best seven doubles, while Potter and Perez have each blasted four home runs. Potter leads the team with 23 RBI, with Perez not far behind with 20 RBI of her own as the tandem have generated 11 multi-RBI games this season.

In total, Potter has collected 56 career RBI in 73 career games on 14 doubles and 13 home runs. In comparison, Amy Baker, the Bluejays all-time RBI leader, recorded 49 RBI in her first 73 games as a Bluejay back in 2010-11.

Welcome Back Kaelan Schultz

Sophomore Kaelan Schultz returned to the diamond for the first time in 378 days, earning the start in the Bluejays BIG EAST opener at Providence on March 7.

Schultz torn her ACL sliding into home during a contest against Nevada on Feb. 23 last year, missing the rest of the 2024 season.

In her return to the field Schultz delivered in a big way at the plate, launching two home runs in the series finale against Providence on March 9.

Schultz became the first Bluejay to with two home runs in a game since Cayla Nielsen homered twice against UConn on April 23, 2023, while also becoming the first Bluejay to hit home runs in back-to-back at bats since Alyssa Gappa did so against New Mexico State on Feb. 24, 2023.

Home Opener History

Despite falling to Drake in the home opener on Tuesday, 5-3, Creighton still owns a 32-16 record (.681) in home openers, including wins in 15 of the last 19 home openers (does not include 2020 when Creighton did not play a home game).

Head coach Krista Wood now holds a 13-5 overall record in home openers as a head coach, including a 2-1 record at Creighton, a 4-3 record at South Dakota State and a 7-1 record at Wayne State College.

The Bluejays are scheduled to play 17 more home games this season, including BIG EAST series against UConn, Butler, St. John's and Seton Hall.

League Opener History

Creighton owns a 24-15 record all-time in conference openers, including a 1-2 record under Krista Wood after last Friday's setback at Providence.

Creighton is now 6-5 in BIG EAST openers but have won 13 of its last 19 conference opening-games, including wins in the final seven Missouri Valley Conference lid-lifters.

In the 24 seasons that Creighton has won its conference opener, it has finished .500 or better in league play 21 times and owns a combined .647 (299-163-1) winning percentage during league contests.

In the 14 previous years in which Creighton lost its league opener, the Bluejays have finished with a losing record on eight occasions and owns a combined .445 (114-142) during league games.

In league road openers, Creighton is 25-14 overall and 1-2 under Wood, which includes last spring's 3-0 shutout wins at St. John's.

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

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 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.

One-Hit Wonder

Sophomore Brooke Shifflett nearly tossed the Bluejays' 29th no-hitter since 1994 on March 1 in Creighton's 4-0 win over Saint Mary's.

The Missouri native threw all 7.0 innings, striking out a career-high six batters while allowing just one hit in the fourth inning on the way to earning the first complete-game shutout of her Bluejay career.

Below is a list of Creighton one-hitters since joining the BIG EAST in 2014.

Date Opponent Pitcher

3/1/25 Saint Mary's Brooke Shifflett

2/16/24 Bethune-Cookman Jena Lawrence

Alexis Wiggins

Natalia Puchino

3/8/23 vs. Penn Natalia Puchino

3/25/22 Providence Kate Mullally

3/6/20 LIU Kiele Miller

2/28/20 Purdue Fort Wayne Mikayla Santa Cruz

3/17/19 South Dakota State Kiele Miller

2/15/19 Ark.-Pine Bluff Laura Roecker

3/5/18 Villanova Kiele Miller

Bryana Clark

3/9/16 Holy Cross Sydnee Eck

3/6/16 Akron Sydnee Eck

4/13/14 Seton Hall Becca Changstrom

3/13/14 Siena Becca Changstrom

4/8/14 South Dakota State Mac Millspaugh

Brittany Telecky