Creighton University
South Dakota
Softball Returns to Lone Star State For Boerner Invitational
2/19/2026 9:00:00 AM | Softball
Creighton will take on South Dakota, UT Arlington and Wichita State in Arlington, Texas
Game #11: Creighton Bluejays (3-7) vs. South Dakota Coyotes (2-8)
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 • 12:30 p.m. || LIVE STATS | CU NOTES
Game #12: Creighton Bluejays (3-7) at UT Arlington Mavericks (4-5)
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 • 5:30 p.m. || LIVE STATS | WATCH | CU NOTES
Game #13: Creighton Bluejays (3-7) vs. Wichita State Shockers (3-5)
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 • 10 a.m. || LIVE STATS | CU NOTES
Game #14: Creighton Bluejays (3-7) vs. Wichita State Shockers (3-5)
Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 • 12:30 p.m. || LIVE STATS | CU NOTES
Game #15: Creighton Bluejays (37) at UT Arlington Mavericks (4-5)
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 • 11:30 a.m. CT || LIVE STATS | WATCH | CU NOTES
This Weekend
Creighton returns to the Lone Star state for the second time this season as the Bluejays compete in five games at the Boerner Invitational in Arlington, Texas.
The Bluejays open play with a rematch against South Dakota on Friday, Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m., before battling host UT Arlington at 5:30 p.m.
The Jays return to the field on Saturday for a doubleheader against former Missouri Valley Conference rival Wichita State at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
The weekend wraps up on Sunday, Feb 22 with a rematch against UT Arlington at 11:30 a.m.
All five games will take place at Allan Saxe Field in Arlington, Texas.
Broadcast Information
Creighton's matchups against UT Arlington on Friday and Sunday will be the only games aired on WAC International this weekend. A login is required to view to games on https://www.wacinternational.tv/.
Live Stats Information
All five contests this weekend will have free live stats available at http://creighton.statbroadcast.com.
Fans can also find the links on the GoCreighton.com softball schedule page.
Scoring updates and infographics will be provided on social media vs. Twitter at
@BluejaySoftball.
Bluejays not Blue Jays
Creighton's mascot is the Bluejays or Bluejay, one word. Conversely the MLB Toronto team is the Blue Jays.
Scouting Creighton (3-7)
Creighton is 3-7 through the first 10 games of the season, with wins over Central Arkansas, Sam Houston and Drake. The Bluejays are coming off a 1-4 showing at the Bear Down Fiesta where they suffered losses to No. 17 Arizona, Coastal Carolina and Utah Valley.
Freshman Zoey Greenwood has been a bright spot in the lineup, pacing the Bluejays with a .375 batting average on a team-best nine hits, three doubles and six RBI.
Junior Kaelan Schultz has stepped into a leadership role this season and showcasing her power early on, hitting .286 with two doubles, a triple, home run and four RBI. Schultz and veteran returners Lily West (.259 BA, 7 Hits, 6 BB), Erika Perez (.250 BA, 6 BB, 2 HR) and Ella Dalton (.261 BA, 6 Hits, 3 SB) will be relied on to lead this talented group.
Freshman Audrey Gilman owns two of the Bluejays three wins this season, pacing the Jays with a 4.45 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 28.1 innings of work, while junior Brooklyn Patchen owns 14 strikeouts and a 7.80 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched.
As a team, Creighton is hitting .250 with 13 doubles, seven home runs, 27 walks and 35 runs driven in, while the pitching staff owns a 6.73 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 61.1 innings of work.
Creighton returns seven starters among 13 letterwinners from last season's 30-25 squad that posted the programs first back-to-back 30-win seasons since 2009-10 and finished runner-up in the BIG EAST tournament for a second consecutive year. With the continued success, the Bluejays were picked to finish second in the 2026 BIG EAST Preseason Poll.
Head coach Krista Wood is in her fourth season with the Bluejays and holds a 599-403 career record, including a 91-84 mark at Creighton.
Scouting South Dakota (2-8)
South Dakota is 2-8 this season, after going 0-5 last weekend at the GCU Invitational. The Coyotes two wins this season came over Sam Houston and Creighton during the Bearkat Classic on opening weekend.
Brooke Carey has stepped into a starring role, posting a team-best .414 batting average with 12 hits and six runs scored. She is supported by Delaney White, who hits at a .241 average with a team-best five RBI.
Madison Evans has been a strong two-way player, leading the way in the circle with two wins on a team-best 2.48 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched, while hitting .258 with two doubles and four runs scores at the plate.
South Dakota as a team is hitting .235 with eight doubles, six home runs, 23 walks and 22 runs scored, while the pitching staff owns a 4.34 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 61.1 innings of work.
Series History Against The Coyotes
Creighton leads the all-time series against South Dakota, 20-9.
The Bluejays have won seven of the last nine meetings but dropped a 5-2 decision to the Coyotes early the season.
South Dakota owns a 4-3 edge in neutral site matchups, which includes wins in each of the last four contests.
Krista Wood owns an 21-14 record as a head coach against South Dakota, including a 3-1 mark at Creighton.
Scouting UT Arlington (4-5)
UT Arlington is off to a 4-5 start, with a pair of wins over Tulsa to go along with wins over UMass Lowell and New Mexico State.
Mia McNulty leads the charge, hitting .441 with two doubles, a team-best five home run and 14 RBI, Marley Neises boasts a .393 average with two doubles, three home runs and a team-high tying 14 RBI and 12 runs scored.
In addition, six other Mavericks own a .300 batting average or higher, led by Talia Maldonado who has posted a .348 average with seven RBI and six runs scored.
UT Arlington has spread the wealth around the circle this season with Kynlee Bowling leading the way with a 5.60 ERA in 15 innings of work. She is supported by Maddie Furniss who owns a 7.22 ERA and three strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched.
As a team, UT Arlington is hitting .321 with 10 doubles, 14 home runs and 66 RBI, but have posted an 8.11 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 57.0 innings of work.
Series History Against The Mavericks
Creighton and UT Arlington have met 21 times previously with the Bluejays holding a 14-7 edge in the all-time series.
CU won 12 of the first 15 meetings in the series dating back to 1985 but have dropped four of the last six contests.
Overall, Creighton is 4-5 in games played in Arlington, Texas, which includes losses in each of the last three contests.
Head coach Krista Wood is 0-2 in her career against the Mavericks.
Scouting Wichita State (3-5)
Wichita State is 3-5 this season, with win over Northwestern State, New Mexico and Texas State. The Shockers its only losses have come against power conference foes in then No. 22 Mississippi State, No. 9 Arkansas, No. 18 Clemson and at Baylor.
Sophomore Gabby Scott tops the Shockers offensive with a .391 batting average on nine hits and nine RBI, while Ausha Moore follows closely behind hitting at a .350 average with seven hits, four RBI and four runs scored.
Sophomore Ryley Nihart has been a workhorse in the circle for Wichita State this season, owning a 3.71 ERA with15 strikeouts in 22.2 innings of work. Classmate Ava Sliger has also provided quality innings, posting a team-best 2.21 ERA with give punchouts in 12.2 innings pitched.
As a team, Wichita State is hitting .241 with nine doubles, six home runs and 32 RBI, while posting a 4.89 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 53.0 innings of work.
Series History Against The Shockers
Creighton owns a 51-32 all-time lead in the series with Wichita State, including an 8-2 edge in neutral site matches.
The Bluejays and Shockers met annually as they both competed as Missouri Valley Conference rivals from 1993 to 2013.
The teams have met just six times since 2014, as Creighton moved to the BIG EAST following the 2013 season.
Creighton has lost four straight meetings, which a three-game sweep over the Jays on opening weekend in 2021. The Bluejays last win in the series was a 12-11 victory at the Creighton Tournament on March 17, 2018.
Krista Wood is 1-3 in her head coaching career against Wichita State.
Milestone Watch
- Krista Wood owns 599 career wins and is four wins shy of becoming the 43rd active Division I head coach to record 600 career victories.
- Saturday's first matchup against Wichita State marks Creighton's 2,500th game as a program.
- Lily West has driven in 95 runs in her career and is now only five RBI away from becoming the 13th Bluejay ever to collect 100 career RBI.
- Lily West owns 189 career hits, a mere 11 hits shy of becoming the 11th Bluejay to collect 200 career hits.
- Lily West owns 27 career doubles and is now seven shy of cracking Creighton's career doubles top 10 list.
- Ashten Pierson has been hit by a pitch 18 times in her career and is now one hit by pitches shy of tying Mileah McKelvy for eighth on Creighton's career hit by pitch record list.
The KJ Murphy - UT Arlington Connection
Assistant coach KJ Murphy will be returning to her old stomping grounds for the first time since serving as a graduate assistant for the Mavericks in 2023.
The Baytown, Texas native also had an illustrious five-year playing career at UT Arlington, where guided the Mavericks to 117 wins and earned NFCA All-Region and All-Sun Belt First Team honors from 2018-22.
She finished her career ranked tied for ninth with 16 home runs and sits just outside the top 10 with 27 career doubles.
Murphy posted the best offensive numbers of her career as a senior, recording a .405 batting average, the fifth-best single season mark in program history, while pacing the Mavericks in hits (62), doubles (13), home runs (6), RBI (31) and walks (21).
In the classroom, Murphy became just the sixth UTA softball player to earn CSC academic All-District honors in program history, while earning her bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2021 and her master's in criminology and criminal justice in 2023.
No Shocker Here
Junior Avery Barnard is in her second season with the Bluejays after transfer from Wichita State following the 2024 season.
The Beatrice native will be taking on her former team for the first time since transferring this weekend in Arlington, Texas.
In one season with the Shockers, Barnard appearing in 26 games, mainly as a pinch runner, scoring a total of seven runs.
Meanwhile, Barnard has earned 23 starts and has appeared in 51 games, recording a .279 batting average with 29 hits as a Bluejays.
In addition to Avery's relationship to Wichita State, her sister, Addie, was a three-time All-American with the Shockers program.
Bluejays to Surpass 2,500 Games Played
Saturday's first game against Wichita State will mark Creighton's 2,500 game as a Division I program.
The Bluejays enter the weekend with a 1,474-1,020-3 all-time record, outscoring its opponents 10,093-7,594, an average margin of 1.001 runs per game in 2,497 games as a program.
Creighton is 16-9 all-time in games where it surpasses any 100 games played milestone, as seen below.
Game #W-L Result Year
1 0-1 Lost to College of St. Mary, 5-7 1977
100 56-44 Beat Nebraska-Kearney, 10-0 1980
200 140-60 Beat Nebraska, 1-0 1981
300 207-93 Lost to Missouri, 1-2 1983
400 278-122 Beat Oklahoma City, 1-0 1985
500 344-156 Lost to Iowa State, 0-1 1987
600 416-184 Beat Utah, 4-0 1989
700 480-220 Beat Ball State, 2-0 1991
800 530-270 Beat Southern Utah, 4-3 (13 Inn.) 1992
900 580-320 Lost to Kansas, 1-5 1994
1000 633-367 Lost to Nebraska, 1-5 1996
1100 688-412 Beat Bradley, 3-0 1998
1200 747-453 Lost to Nebraska, 2-3 (8 Inn.) 2000
1300 801-499 Beat Stephen F. Austin, 1-0 2002
1400 852-548 Beat Wichita State, 5-1 2004
1500 932-567-1 Beat Kansas, 3-2 2005
1600 989-610-1 Beat Evansville, 5-4 (8 Inn.) 2007
1700 1057-641-2 Beat North Dakota State, 5-0 2009
1800 1122-676-2 Lost to UT Arlington, 1-2 (8 inn.) 2011
1900 1171-726-3 Beat New Mexico, 5-1 2013
2000 1229-768-3 Beat Pacific, 2-0 2015
2100 1277-820-3 Lost to South Dakota, 6-20 2017
2200 1330-867-3 Beat South Dakota State, 1-0 2019
2300 1379-918-3 Beat Seton Hall, 4-2 (9 inn.) 2022
2400 1421-976-3 Lost to Nebraska, 0-9 (5 inn.) 2024
2497 1474-1020-3 Lost to #17 Arizona, 0-8 (5 inn.) 2026
Wood Chases 600th Win
Krista Wood owns 599 career wins as head coach entering this weekend's Boerner Invitational in Texas. She won more than 200 games at both Wayne State College and South Dakota State and owns a career .600 career winning percentage in 19 seasons and 1002 games as a head coach.
Only 43 active Division I softball coaches, and only 97 active softball coaches across all levels, own 600 or more victories. She will join Villanova's Bridget Orchard (961) as the only BIG EAST coaches to record more than 600 career wins.
Krista Wood's Milestone Victories
Date W-L Opponent & Site Score
3/4/07 1-0 WSC vs Dominican (NY) 6-1
2/26/10 100-68 WSC vs Pittsburg St. 4-2
4/11/12 200-114 Upper Iowa at WSC 6-4
3/10/16 300-198 SDSU vs. Holy Cross 14-3
4/21/19 400-282 Purdue Ft. Wayne at SDSU 6-4
4/28/22 500-315 St. Thomas at SDSU 10-0
A Grand Occasion
Last Saturday's win over Drake marked Krista Wood's 1,000th game as a head coach in 20 seasons in the dugout.
Wood's boasts a 599-403 record, which includes a 270-154 record at Wayne State from 2007-14, a 238-164 record from 2015-22 at South Dakota State and a 91-85 record from 2023-Present at Creighton.
Wood's is one win shy of becoming just the second active head coach in the BIG EAST to record 600 career victories, joining Villanova's Bridget Orchard (961).
Here's a breakdown of her record per 100 games.
Game # W-L Result Year
1 1-0 Beat Dominican (NY), 6-1 2007
100 57-43 Lost to St. Cloud State, 2-0 2008
200 126-74 Lost to Omaha, 8-1 2010
300 192-108 Beat Northern State, 5-2 2012
400 255-145 Beat Upper Iowa, 11-1 (6 inn.) 2014
500 301-199 Beat Hampton, 13-7 2016
600 343-257 Beat Niagara, 9-6 2018
700 410-290 Lost to Murray State, 1-0 2020
800 487-313 Beat Omaha, 6-3 2022
900 543-357 Lost to St. John's, 10-0 (5 inn.) 2024
100 599-401 Beat Drake, 3-2 (5 inn.) 2026
Leadoff Power
Senior Lily West moved into the leadoff spot in the lineup this past weekend at the Bear Down Fiesta and delivered in a big way, blasting a leadoff home run in the Jays 3-2 win over Drake on Feb. 14.
The leadoff homer marked the second leadoff home run of West's Bluejay career and the first leadoff home run by a Bluejay since she delivered a leadoff home run against Georgetown on March 28, 2024.
West Eyes 200 Hits
Lily West entered her senior season with 182 hits in her prolific career and has already collected seven hits this season for the Bluejays.
West's 182 hits entering her senior season were the most by a Bluejay in their first three seasons in program history.
The Choctaw, Okla. native now stands just 11 hits shy of becoming the 11th Bluejay ever to reach the 200-hit milestone. The most recent Bluejay to surpass the 200-hit milestone was Cayla Nielsen in 2024.
West has played in 176 career games and can become just the second Bluejay ever to record more than 50 hits in four straight seasons, joining Creighton Hall of Famer Christy Lunceford.
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. Cayla Nielsen 209 2020-24
Sue Frederick 209 1986-89
7. Ellen Homan 203 2011-14
Wendy Moon 203 1991-94
9. Renae Sinkler 201 2007-10
Jean Tierney 201 1980-83
- Lily West 189 2023-Pr.
Most Hits, After 3 Seasons at Creighton
Hits Yr1 Yr2 Yr3 Name Years
182 58 60 64 Lily West 2023-25
169 55 62 52 Christy Lunceford 1994-96
168 50 70 48 Heidi Geier 1996-98
162 52 67 43 Ellen Homan 2011-13
161 64 43 54 Wendy Moon 1991-93
159 42 59 58 Jean Tierney 1980-82
149 44 57 48 Ashley Cantu 2017-19
148 28 57 63 Kelly Brookhart 1988-90
142 51 41 50 Amy Baker 2010-12
140 21 69 50 Sue Frederick 1986-88
West Hitting Way Into Top-10
Ten games into her senior season, Lily West looks to continue her climb up the Bluejay ranks in career batting average.
West currently ranks 10th all-time with a .330 career batting average, while owning 189 career hits.
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 Sydra Seville 133-399 2022-25
.333 Cayla Nielsen 209-627 2020-24
9. .331 Kiara Mills 123-372 2019-22
10. .333 Lily West 189-573 2023-Pr.
West Staying Durable
Senior 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 176 games of her Bluejay career.
Her 176 consecutive starts are the longest starting streak by a Bluejay since Kelsey Allender started 185 consecutive games from 2013- 2016.
Lily's Keeping it 100
Lily West, one of the most prolific hitters in program history, is looking to rewrite the record book in 2026 as the senior slugger closes in on multiple career milestones.
With a leadoff home run against Drake on Feb. 14, West became the 20th Bluejay in program history to record 100 career runs scored.
In addition, the senior slugger owns 95 career RBI and is now just five RBI shy of becoming the 13th Bluejay in program history to record 100 career RBI and only 12 RBI away from tying Lauren Cisneros for 10th on Creighton's all-time career RBI list. She will also join the other 12 Bluejays as the only players to ever record 100 hits and 100 RBI in their Creighton careers.
Bluejays with 100 Career Hits & 100 Career RBI
No. Name RBI Hits Years
1. Amy Baker 167 191 2010-13
2. Renae Sinkler 146 201 2007-10
3. Abby Johnson 144 172 2002-05
4. Kailey Wilson 125 168 2019-23
5. Bailey Dawson 121 183 2006-09
Stacey Rybar 121 194 2001-04
7. Liz Dike 119 180 2012-15
8. Jody Schwartz 113 179 1985-88
9. Christy Lunceford 110 245 1994-97
10. Lauren Cisneros 107 165 2003-06
11. Emma Rosonke 106 103 2021-24
12. Dede Pendleton 103 184 1991-95
- Lily West 95 189 2023-Pr.
Bluejays with 100 Career Runs Scored
No. Name R Years
1. Cayla Nielsen 137 2020-24
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
11. Lauren Cisneros 113 2003-06
12. Melanie Dorsey 112 2002-05
13. Mary Yori 108 1980-82
14. Michelle Graner 108 2007-10
15. Michelle Koch 106 2007-10
16. Shelly Esser 103 1992-95
17. Ellen Homan 102 2011-14
18. Lily West 101 2023-Pr.
19. Madeline Vejvoda 100 2020-24
20. Wendy Moon 100 1991-94
Two-Hits, One Inning
Creighton sent 12 batters to the plate during its 7-run sixth inning against Sam Houston last Friday night. The Bluejays batted around, with junior Avery Barnard smacking two hits in the inning.
Barnard, a Beatrice, Neb., native opened the frame with a double to right and later recorded an RBI single, becoming the first Bluejay to collect two hits in the same inning since Madeline Vejvoda did so against Omaha on April 23, 2024.
Catch Them If You Can
Creighton has soared around the base paths this season, racking up 14 stolen bases over the first 10 contests, including a season-high six bags against South Dakota on Feb. 8.
CU's six stolen bases were three shy of the school record and tied for the fourth-most in a single game in program history.
The six stolen bases were also its most in a single game since the Jays stole seven bags against UC Santa Barbara on March 2, 2025, and the second-most in a single-game in the last 15 years.
Creighton Single-Game Stolen Bases
1. 9 - vs. Connecticut 3/13/91
2. 7 - at UC Santa Barbara 3/2/25
7 - vs. Bradley 3/31/01
4. 6 - eight times, last vs. South Dakota 2/8/26
Last season Creighton stole 72 bases, the most by a Bluejay squad since joining the BIG EAST in 2014 and the most by a Creighton team since the Jays swiped 82 bags during the 2005 season.
Below is a breakdown of the stolen bases totals since joining the BIG EAST in 2014 and Creighton's single season stolen base top 10 list.
Stolen Bases since Joining the BIG EAST
Year SB SB Att. SB%
2026 14 17 82.4
2025 72 84 85.7
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
Creighton Team Stolen Bases
Stolen Bases
1. 89 1991
2. 83 1995
3. 82 2005
4. 79 1997
5. 74 1999
6. 72 2025
7. 71 1993
Schultz Swipes
Kaelan Schultz entered her junior season having recorded just one stolen base in her first two seasons with the Bluejays.
She, however, flashed her speed last weekend, recording two stolen bases in five games at the Bearkat Classic. One of those stolen bases was perfectly executed double steal, in which Schultz stole home for the Bluejays first run of the game against South Dakota.
With her steal of home, Schultz became the third Bluejay in the last four years (since head coach Krista Wood's arrival) to steal home and the first do it since Ashten Pierson stole home against DePaul last season.
Prior to head coach Krista Wood's arrival in 2023, the last time Creighton had stolen home was in 2011.
Making a First Impression
Sophomore Tara Vandewater made an immediate impact in her first week as a Bluejay, earning a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.
The Winterset, Iowa native, posted a team-best .462 (6-of-13) batting average with two home runs, a double and two stolen bases, while registering a 1.000 slugging percentage and a team-high six RBI.
She made a lasting impression in her first game, blasting a three-run home run to left in her first Bluejay at-bat and driving in a career-high four runs during the Jays' 5-4 season-opening win over Central Arkansas on Feb. 6.
With her first career home run in her first Bluejay at-bat, Vandewater became the first Creighton player to homer in her Bluejay debut since Sara Loeffelholz launched a homer in her Creighton debut against Indiana State in 2009.
Can't Keep Perez Off the Bases
Erika Perez reached base safely in 22 straight games dating back to last season, before having her streak snapped going 0-for-2 against Drake on Feb. 14.
The Madera, Calif. native came into her senior season with a lot of confidence after finishing last year on a 15-game on-base streak.
Perez's 22-game on-base streak was the third longest streak by a Bluejay since 2010 and longest since Amy Baker reached base safely in 37 consecutive contests in 2013.
During her 22-game on-base streak, Perez hit .373 with 19 hits, four doubles, and a team-high 19 walks to go with nine runs scored.
Longest Creighton On-Base Streaks Since 2010
OB Streak Player Year
37 Amy Baker 2013
28 Alexis Cantu 2012
22 Erika Perez 2025-Pr.
21 Sydra Seville 2025
21 Ashley Cantu 2019
20 Anna O'Gorman 2017
20 Kelsey Allender 2015
19 Kailey Wilson 2022
18 Lily West 2025-26
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
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Junior Ashten Pierson was hit by a pitch in the season opener against Central Arkansas on Feb. 6, recording the 18th hit-by-pitch of her Bluejay career.
Pierson's 18 career hit-by-pitches are tied with Liz McKewon for the ninth-most all-time in a career at Creighton. She is now one hit by pitch shy of tying Mileah McKelvy for eighth on Creighton's top 10 career hit by pitch record list.
Last season, Pierson was hit by a pitch 12 times, a total that ranks tied with Jen Daro for second-most in a single season in program history.
CREIGHTON CAREER HIT BY PITCH TOP 10
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 24 2021-24
7. Sami Herbster 21 2000-03
8. Mileah McKelvy 19 2016-20
9. Ashten Pierson 18 2024-pr.
Liz McKewon 18 2008-11
Walk This Way
Senior Erika Perez has walked six times during the Bluejays first 10 games over the season, including five during the Jays opening weekend at the Bearkat Classic in Texas.
The Madera, Calif. native drew a career-high tying three walks in the Jays' 5-4 win over Central Arkansas in the season-opener before draw one addition walk in each contest against Sam Houston and South Dakota.
Perez's five walks during opening weekend were the second-most in the BIG EAST, trailing only the seven walks drawn by DePaul's Alexis Houge in the first week of play.
Perez has now drawn 57 walks in her Bluejay career and is now 12 walks shy of tying Karla Hughes for 10th on Creighton's career walks record board.
Creighton Career Walks Top 10
No. Name BB Years
1. Michelle Graner 111 2007-10
2. Alexis Cantu 110 2012-14
3. Amy Baker 104 2010-13
4. Kailey Wilson 94 2019-23
5. Abby Johnson 85 2002-05
6. Renae Sinkler 81 2007-10
7. Jen Daro 80 2014-17
8. Jody Schwartz 78 1985-88
9. Ashley Cantu 70 2017-21
10. Karla Hughes 69 1979-82
- Erika Perez 56 2023-Pr.
Put it in Neutral
Creighton is 34-24 in neutral site matches under Krista Wood, which includes a 2-5 mark this season.
Just getting started, Creighton is hitting .263 with 42 hits, 10 doubles, five home runs, 21 walks, 25 runs scored and 14 stolen bases, while boasting a 6.73 ERA with 28 strikeouts in the circle.
Last season the Bluejays went 10-5 on neutral fields, hitting .303 with 122 hits, 9 doubles, 10 home runs, 70 RBI, 43 walks and 73 runs scored, while converting on 15 of their 19 stolen bases attempts. In the circle, the Jays posted a 3.93 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 98.0 innings of work.
Creighton will play 11 of their first 20 games at neutral sites this spring.
Magic Number 5
Since the turn of the century, Creighton has had tremendous success when scoring five or more runs and the Bluejays look to continued that success this season after owning a 25-4 record when scoring five or more runs last spring.
Over the last 25 seasons, Creighton is 402-60 when scoring five or more runs. In the same time span Creighton is 247-436-3 when scoring four runs or fever.
Creighton is also 186-42 when scoring five or more runs in a game since joining the BIG EAST in 2014, including a 2-2 record this season.
During that same time frame the Bluejays are 108-5 when scoring eight or more runs, which included a 15-1 record in 2025. Prior to Creighton's 22-18 loss to Connecticut on March 28, Creighton had won 29 consecutive games when scoring eight or more runs.
Additionally, Creighton had won 35 straight games when scoring 10+ runs, before March 28th setback to the Huskies. Overall, the Bluejays have won 44 of their last 45 games when scoring more than 10 runs.
Season Opener History
Creighton opened the 2026 campaign with an 5-4 win over Central Arkansas on Feb. 6, lifting the Bluejays to 24-26 (.480) all-time in season-openers.
The Bluejays are now 3-1 in lid-lifters under Krista Wood, but just 5-8 in season-openers since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.
The Bluejays, however, have outscored foes by an average of 4.28 to 4.10 runs per game in the 50 season-openers.
Head coach Krista Wood is 15-5 all-time in lid-lifters, including an 8-5 mark at the Division I level. Wood also sported a 7-1 record in season-openers at Wayne State College.
Krista Wood in Season-Openers
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
2/6/25 Creighton Central Arkansas W, 5-4
It Gets Earlier Every Year
Creighton's season-opener at the Bearkat Classic against Central Arkansas took place on February 6, tied for the second-earliest start date for a season-opener in Creighton Softball history.
The only earlier starts in program history came in 2015 (Feb. 5) when the Jays defeated Pacific, 2-0, at the Kajikawa Classic is Tempe, Ariz.
In comparison, Creighton's season-opener in 1977, its first season as a program, didn't take place until March 28.
Making Opening Statements
Despite holding a 24-26 record in season-openers, Creighton has outscored its opponents 214-205 in 50 season-opening contests.
In the Bluejays' 24 victories, they have averaged an impressive 6.92 runs per game, including five or more runs on 13 different occasions. The Bluejays have also held its opponents to just 1.50 runs per contests in its 24 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 214 (4.28) 205 (4.10)
In Wins 166 (6.92) 36 (1.50)
In Losses 48 (1.85) 169 (6.04)
Mix of Old and New
Creighton returns 13 letterwinners and seven starters from last season's squad that went 30-25 and finished as the BIG EAST Tournament runner-up for a second consecutive season. The Bluejays also reloaded, bringing in 11 newcomers to the softball program.
Of this season's 11 new faces, eight are freshmen and three are incoming transfers from, Oklahoma State, North Texas and McLennan CC.
Of note, this is the fourth straight season the Bluejays have had at least nine newcomers join the program.
Making an Entrance
Creighton has had 10 players make their Bluejay debut over the first two weekends of play. Of those 10 players who made their debut, six made their Creighton debut in the Jays starting lineup.
The Bluejays do have two players; Aubriella Martinez and Mazie Flud; that could make their debuts this weekend in Texas.
Below is a look at how Creighton's current players have performed in their Creighton debuts.
Name AB H R 2B HR RBI
Dalton 0 0 1 0 0 0
Perez* 3 1 0 0 0 1
West** 3 1 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
McCutcheon 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ramos 1 0 0 0 0 0
Bailey** 3 0 0 0 0 0
Vandewater** 2 1 1 0 1 4
Greenwood* 3 0 0 0 0 0
Trevino 1 0 0 0 0 0
Vazquez 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mayhue* 3 0 0 0 0 0
Name IP H R ER K BB
Patchen 1.1 5 5 5 1 2
Drehs* 0.0 3 2 2 0 0
Gilman 5.2 3 1 0 2 2
Harris* 1.1 2 0 0 1 2
Maloney 1.0 3 4 4 1 1
* - Started Bluejay Debut
**-Started Bluejay Debut in Season-Opener
Freshmen Contribution
Since joining the BIG EAST in 2014, Creighton had only had 14 true freshmen start the Bluejays season opener. On Feb. 6 vs. Central Arkansas, that number rose to 15 as Emma Bailey got the starting nod in right field.
This marked the first time a freshman had started the season-openers since Ashten Pierson earned the starting job at shortstop in 2024, when she became the first freshman in league history to earn BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year honors. In addition, Lily West is the only other active Bluejay to have started a season-opener as a freshman, earning the starting role behind the plate for the season-opener in 2023.
Below is a list of Bluejay freshmen to earn a season-opening start since 2013.
Bluejay Freshman to Start Season Opener Since 2013
Year Name Position
*2026 Emma Bailey Right Field
*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 2026 season with a 2-3 showing at the Bearkat Classic on Feb 6-8 in Huntsville, Texas. It was the ninth time since joining the BIG EAST in 2014 that Creighton has finished the first weekend of the season with two or more wins, including all four seasons under head coach Krista Wood.
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.
2026: 2-3 in Huntsville, Texas
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.
Tough Sledding
Creighton has never shied away from playing a tough schedule, and that is no different in 2026. The Bluejays will play five different teams that made the 2025 NCAA Tournament, as well as Preseason Top 25 ranked Arizona on Feb. 15 and Nebraska on March 31.
Production Returns
Creighton returns seven regular starters from last spring's team that finished 30-25 and capped off the year as the runner-up in the BIG EAST Tournament for a second consecutive season.
All told, CU returns 64.4 percent of its starts, 63.3 percent of its hits, 64.5 percent of its runs, 68.1 percent of its doubles, 57.4 percent of its home runs, 65.4 percent of its RBI, 61.1 percent of its stolen bases and 72.5 percent of its walks off last year's squad.
The Bluejays, however, only return 33.2 percent of its innings pitched, 37.8 percent of its strikeouts, 36.7 percent of its pitching wins and 58.9 percent of its putouts from last season's team.
Below is a breakdown of the production that is back:
Stat Returners Departures
Starts 354 (64.4%) 196 (35.6%)
Hits 300 (63.3%) 174 (36.7%)
Runs 207 (64.5%) 114 (35.5%)
Doubles 47 (68.1%) 22 (31.9%)
Home Runs 31 (57.4%) 23 (42.6%)
RBI 191 (65.4%) 101 (34.6%)
Walks 124 (72.5%) 47 (27.5%)
Stolen Bases 44 (61.1%) 28 (38.9%)
IP 124.0 (33.2%) 249.0 (66.8%)
K's 96 (37.8%) 158 (62.2%)
Wins 11 (36.7%) 19 (63.3%)
PO 659 (58.9%) 460 (41.1%)
Coaching is Key
After leading the Bluejays to a 30-25 record in 2025, its first back-to-back 30-win seasons since 2009-10, and a runner-up finish in both the BIG EAST Tournament for a second consecutive season, head coach Krista Wood's expectations are higher than ever as the Creighton Softball program seeks its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.
In just three seasons as the Creighton head coach, Wood has engineered one of the nation's greatest turnarounds
.She has coached seven first team and four
second team All-BIG EAST picks, while also recruiting and coaching the 2024 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year (Natalia Puchino) and the two-time BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year (Ashten Pierson). In addition, Wood has also coached five NFCA All-Great Lakes Region, 11 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and 38 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete members during her first three seasons.
Bluejays Tabbed Fourth In Preseason Poll
Fresh off its second consecutive BIG EAST Finals appearance and its first back-to-back 30-win seasons since 2009-10, the Creighton softball team was picked to finish second in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Friday, January 16.
It's just the second time in Creighton's 13 years in the BIG EAST Conference that the Bluejays have been picked second, as the 2014 squad was also picked second in the Jays inaugural season in the league. It is the Bluejays highest preseason pool ranking since being the league favorites in 2019.
Creighton collected two first-place votes and earned 51 points in the poll, trailing only St. John's six first-place votes and 62 overall points. Defending BIG EAST Tournament champs Connecticut received the final first-place vote and tied Creighton with 51 points for second, just ahead of Villanova, who was tabbed fourth with 50 points.
Providence was picked to finish fifth with 32 points, while Butler came in right behind with 31 points. The bottom three teams in the pool are Seton Hall (24), DePaul (15) and Georgetown (8).
2025 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. St. John's (6) - 61
T2. Creighton (2) - 51
T2. UConn (1) - 51
4. Villanova - 50
5. Providence - 32
6. Butler - 31
7. Seton Hall - 24
8. DePaul - 15
9. Georgetown - 8
Creighton's BIG EAST Preseason Poll History
Year Preseason Pick Actual Finish
2014 2nd 4th
2015 5th 7th
2016 5th T-5th
2017 5th 6th
2018 5th 2nd
2019 1st 6th
2020 4th N/A
2021 5th 4th
2022 4th 8th
2023 5th T-8th
2024 6th T-2nd
2025 4th T-3rd
2026 2nd TBD
Home Sweet Home
The Creighton Softball program enters a new era in 2026 with the opening of an state-of-the-art facility that ranks amongst the finest in all of Nebraska in the new Creighton Softball Stadium.
Built in conjunction of Creighton's $300 million Fly Together project, the Creighton Softball Stadium is the first of several key elements in the continued renovation of the athletic corridor on the east side of campus.
The 79,011-square-foot stadium features state-of-the-art Triple Threat FieldTurf across the entire playing surface, as well as a 15' 11 1/8" x 31' 6 5/16' fully electronic Daktronics DVX-2802 video/scoreboard in right-center field that will be operated from a new press box. The press box amenities include radio/TV booths, as well as separate space for the public address announcer, official scorer and local/national media. Key analytical technology, such as Trackman and an AWEAR Camera System, will provide enhanced statistical data to elevate player development.
The facility will also feature three pitching rubbers in both the home and visiting bullpen areas, just down the line from sunken dugouts that include storage space and player restrooms.
In addition, the facility has 298 fixed seats and a capacity of 600 with the potential for seating to be added in the future. Restrooms and concessions spaces will be provided at the main entrance of the stadium. Additionally, the facility is accessible to individuals with disabilities and seating inside the stadium meets ADA standards.
The field's dimensions are 200' down the left field line, 220' to straight-away center and 200' down the right field line.
