INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Sophomore standout pitcher Natalia Puchino struck out a career-high tying 10 batters while becoming the first Bluejays since Tara Oltman in 2007 to throw a nine-inning complete-game shutout as the Creighton softball team took the series with a 1-0 nine-inning win over Butler on Sunday afternoon.
The win lifts the Bluejays to 27-19 on the season and to 11-7 in BIG EAST play, while Butler fell to 20-25 overall and to 9-12 in league action.
For the second time in three days, the Bluejays and Bulldogs took a scoreless battle into extra-innings as neither team had a runner advance past second in the first eight innings of the contest.
Moving into the ninth, senior Madeline Vejvoda led off the frame with a double deep into the left centerfield gap before advancing to third on a pass ball. Following an flyout, sophomore Ella Dalton reached on an error by the Bulldogs second baseman which allowed Vejvoda to score from third for the lone run of the game.
Puchino would then retire the side in the bottom half of the ninth to secure her 20th win of the season. Her 20 victories are tied for the tenth most in a single season in program history and are the most since Becca Changstrom recorded 22 wins during the 2013 season.
Offensively, the Bluejays recorded six hits, including two each from senior Cayla Nielsen and junior Sydra Seville.
The Bluejays return home and begin a seven-game homestand to close out the regular season on Tuesday, April 23 when they host crosstown rival Omaha at 5 p.m. at the Creighton Sports Complex.
Creighton Softball claims series finale over Butler
