OMAHA, Neb. – Sophomore Ella Dalton and junior Sydra Seville each record three hits, while sophomore Natalia Puchino recorded her BIG EAST-leading 23rd win of the season as the Creighton Softball team extended their winning streak to seven with a 5-2 win over Providence on Friday night at the CU Sports Complex.
The win lifted the Bluejays to 32-19 on the season and to 15-7 in league play, while the Friars fell to 21-22-1 overall and 10-12 in BIG EAST action.
Trailing 1-0 after an unearned run in the top of the first inning, Creighton opened up its first lead of the game with three runs in the bottom half of the frame. After loading the bases with three straight walks to Cayla Nielsen, Lily West and Madeline Vejvoda, senior Emma Rosonke delivered in a big way, lining a two-run double off the left center field wall to give Creighton a 2-1 lead. Following another walk to Dalton, which loaded the bases once again and forced a pitching change, sophomore Erika Perez patiently drew a four-pitch walk to push the Jays lead out to 3-1.
Puchino and Providence reliever Riley Quirk would settle in over the next four innings, keeping each team at bay until the Bluejays scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to snag a 5-1 lead.
Back-to-back singled from West and Vejvoda got the Bluejays started before a hit-by-pitch from Rosonke loaded the bases for the third time in the contest. Dalton then dropped in an RBI single to left to push the lead to 4-1, while Seville rocketed an RBI single back up the middle to score the Jays fifth run of the game.
Following an amazing diving stop by freshman Ashten Pierson to open the seventh, Providence’s Julia Renny blasted a solo home run to left center to cut the Bluejays lead to 5-2. It, however, wasn’t enough as Puchino closed the door to record her 23rd win of the season.
Dalton and Seville paced the Bluejays offense with three hits apiece, while Nielsen recorded two of her own, becoming just the tenth Bluejay in program history to record 200 career hits. West, Vejvoda and Rosonke each collected a hit as the Bluejays finished the contest with 11 base knocks.
Improving to 23-5 this season, Puchino continued her climb up the single season wins list, moving into a tie for seventh with Kelly Brookhart. Puchino also recorded her 150th strikeout of the season, punching out four while allowing just one earned run on four hits.
The Bluejays and Friars continue their three-game series on Saturday afternoon during the Bluejays second annual Alumni Day. First Pitch is schedule for 2 p.m. at the CU Sports Complex.
Creighton Softball beats Providence
