The Creighton softball team has finally hit its stride.
The Bluejays have won 10 of their last 11 games including seven in a row. The win streak includes sweeps over Iowa State, Bradley and Missouri-Kansas City, and a victory over the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the Jays’ only home night game of the season on Wednesday.
During the win streak, Creighton has outscored its opponents by a total score of 37-8.
“We are getting into a little bit of a sync,” Creighton head coach Brent Vigness said. “We are getting over some injuries and we are playing with a lot of confidence. We are getting into the middle of the schedule, so we have to be playing with a lot of confidence to succeed.”
In a doubleheader against Iowa State on March 18, sophomore ace Tara Oltman threw a complete game on the way to a 2-1 victory in the first game, then picked up the save with three innings of relief in a 3-1 win in the second game.
The first game was won when freshman infielder Liz McKewon hit a walk-off single into left field that scored sophomore outfielder Michelle Graner.
Senior first baseman Mary Egan had a two-RBI double in game two that proved to be the difference.
Cold weather cut a three-game series with Bradley in Peoria, Ill., to only two games, both of which Creighton won to open conference play. Senior catcher TJ Eadus, junior shortstop Bailey Dawson and junior designated player Cassidy Nee all had home runs in the doubleheader on March 21.
Oltman recorded the win in both games, going the distance for a 2-0 win in the first game, and coming on in relief to win the second game 2-1.
Against UMKC on Tuesday, the Jays took another doubleheader, this time with more ease. They won game one 7-1 and won game two 11-1 in only five innings due to a 10-run mercy rule.
Oltman got the win in game one thanks in large part to Eadus’ team-leading seventh home run of the season, and freshman pitcher Emily Humpal recorded the win in game two.
The offensive explosion continued on Wednesday as Creighton defeated UNL 7-2 in front of a nearly-full CU Sports Complex.
A two-run home run by junior catcher Laura Kratochvil and a three-run homer by sophomore outfielder Michelle Graner paced the Jays. Sophomore infielder Renae Sinkler added two RBIs.
Oltman went the distance in the game and picked up her 15th win of the season.
“They’re a very good team,” Vigness said. “Our approach was very good. We were confident and loose, but at the same time focused. It’s a good sign for us and we need to continue this way in order to keep winning.”
Creighton is 22-10 and will play three games against Northern Iowa this weekend at the CU Sports Complex. A doubleheader is set to start at noon on Saturday with the finale coming at noon on Sunday.