OMAHA, Neb. – The Creighton softball team captured its eighth consecutive victory, posting an 8-2 win over Providence on Saturday afternoon to claim their sixth BIG EAST series win of the season.
The Bluejays improved to 16-7 during BIG EAST play and to 33-19 overall with their eighth straight win, while Providence was eliminated for BIG EAST Tournament contention falling to 21-23-1 overall and to 10-13 in league play with the loss.
With UConn sweeping Georgetown this weekend, Creighton will need a win on Sunday to secure the No. 2 seed in next week’s BIG EAST Tournament. With a loss the Jays will be the No. 3 seed.
Creighton opened the scoring in a big way in the bottom of the second, plating four runs on four hits. Senior Emma Rosonke opened the frame with a leadoff single to left, before a wild pitch and a single from Sydra Seville put runners on the corners with one out. After Seville stole second, sophomore Erika Perez drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman Ashten Pierson would then sneak an RBI single through the right side to score the Bluejays first run of the game. Senior Cayla Nielsen followed with a bases clearing double into the left center field gap to give the Bluejays a 4-1 lead.
The Friars responded quickly, cutting the Bluejays lead in half with two runs of their own in the top half of the third. Following a pair of singles from Tori Grifone and Elisa Smith, Gabriella Lee reached on a Bluejay error to load the bases. Providence capitalized on the mistake as Rachael Petrarca lined a two-run single into center to cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Bluejays, however, answered with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings on an RBI double to center by senior Alyssa Gappa and a sacrifice fly to left from sophomore Ella Dalton to regain a four-run lead for Creighton at 6-2.
Creighton would add two insurance runs in the bottom half of the sixth as Pierson scored on a throwing error while in the middle of a pickle to make it 7-2. Senior Madeline Vejvoda then followed with a sacrifice fly to left to secure the 8-2 win for the Bluejays.
Pierson and Nielsen guided the Bluejays offense with two hits apiece, while Nielsen recorded her 40th double of her career, moving into a tie for fourth with Kelly Brookhart on Creighton all-time career doubles list.
Sophomore Natalia Puchino earned her 24th win of the season, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings of one hit ball. Freshman starter Brooklyn Patchen providing 3.1 innings of work, allowing two runs on just four hits with three strikeouts.
Creighton and Providence will conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon during senior day with the first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.
Creighton Softball Stays Hot with 8-2 Win Over Providence
