Omaha, Neb. — Coming off a Covid shortened 14-14 seasons in 2021, the Creighton Softball team is primed for a full and successful 2022 campaign. On Thursday the Bluejays were picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll, which would send Creighton back to the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time since 2018.
Villanova was picked to claim the title after reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2021 with six first-place votes and 62 total points. DePaul is just one step back with three first-place votes and 58 points, while Connecticut (48 points) and Creighton (41 points) round out the top four. The remaining five teams rank in the following order: Butler (39 points), St. John’s (26 points), Seton Hall (22 points), Providence (20 points) and Georgetown (8 points).
Creighton returns the bulk of its 2021 team, led by Kailey Wilson’s .398 average at the dish. Wilson was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season, hitting .432 batting average during BIG EAST games. The sophomore designated player launched four home runs against BIG EAST pitching, drove in 15 runs and posted a .773 slugging percentage. She also walked nine times and ranked third in the league with a .537 on-base percentage. Additionally, Wilson had a team-best eight hits and seven RBI with two outs during conference contests. The left-handed slugger played in 27 games overall and led the Bluejays with eight home runs and 26 RBI, while holding a .747 slugging percentage.
In the circle the Bluejays will lean on junior Mikayla Santa Cruz to anchor the rotation. Santa Cruz is Creighton’s leading returner with a 5-4 record in 57.2 innings. She closed the 2021 season with a 4.73 ERA, making 10 starts and appearing in 15 contest.
Creighton opens the 2022 season with three consecutive tournaments in Texas, beginning on Feb. 11-13 in El Paso. The Bluejays kick off the season against Idaho State at 2:00 pm, then face tournament host El Paso at 8:00 pm.
2022 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
(first-place votes)
- Villanova (6) – 62
- DePaul (3) – 58
- UConn – 48
- Creighton – 41
- Butler – 39
- St. John’s – 26
- Seton Hall – 22
- Providence – 20
- Georgetown – 8
