The Creighton softball team finished 2-3 last weekend in the Kajiwaka Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The classic, which was hosted by Arizona State University, opened the 2013 season for the Jays.
The team earned a split on Thursday with a 5-1 defeat of University of New Mexico and a 5-2 setback to San Diego State University. Junior utility player Blaire Lowe led the team in hits with four, contributing to the Jays’ 17 on the day. Junior outfielder Ellen Homan and pitcher Alexis Cantu each contributed with three.
After a full day on Thursday, the Jays returned to the field on Friday afternoon against No. 14 University of Florida, the highest ranked team on their 2013 schedule.
“Our mindset was to stay relaxed and have fun,” senior infielder Ashley Frutos said.
Despite their attitude, the Jays fell to Florida 13-3. While the loss was a disappointment, the team sees the game as an opportunity.
“I think playing teams like that will help us be better later on,” Lowe said. “We’re going to be better off playing big teams early in the season.”
They didn’t have much time to dwell, as a 5-3 win against Oregon State University resulted in celebration for the Jays.
Senior catcher Amy Baker led Creighton at bat with a homer in each game, going 3-for-5 on the day with four runs batted in. Freshman outfielder Kelsey Allender had two hits against Oregon State and senior utility player Sammy Snygg hit her fourth career homer against Florida.
The final game of the weekend didn’t go as planned for the Jays as they suffered a 4-3 loss against Stephen F. Austin University. The Ladyjacks came out ready to go, closing out the third inning 3-0.
In the top of the fourth, a Cantu homerun lit a spark for the Jays and two more runs tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the 5th. However, the Jays did not score for the remainder of the game.
Looking back, the team is pleased with their weekend opener.
“Overall, I think it was great to get the jitters out this weekend,” Frutos said. “We really came together to see what we can do when we play together.”