The Creighton women’s softball team came out swinging but could not make it past the strong pitching and consistent defense of crosstown rival Omaha, losing 2-1. 

In the top of the first inning, Creighton had back-to-back singles by junior Cayla Nielsen and freshman Lily West. Junior Alyssa Gappa was walked, which led to the bases being loaded for the Bluejays with one out. Graduate Kailey Wilson was up at bat, and she was walked giving Creighton a 1-0 lead with the RBI. 

After the first inning, the Bluejays’ offense became cold. Nine strikeouts by the Maverick’s senior pitcher Kamryn Meyer and the consistent UNO defense combined to not give up another run.  

The Mavericks responded quickly to the Bluejays run with a solo homerun to tie the game in the bottom of the second inning. An RBI, hit down the third base line, gave Omaha the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. 

A rare occurrence took place during the bottom of the fifth inning, where a UNO base runner left first base early off a hit. The runner left before the pitch was released by the pitcher, resulting in a discussion between the umpires and Creighton coaching staff. It was decided to have the runner called out, and the batter had to return to the batter’s box. 

Throughout the game, freshman catcher Lily West was able to get three hits off the Maverick’s experienced pitching staff.  

“Before the game, I watched film with Coach Wood to figure out my approach with an up-ball pitcher, and we decided to do the mental things, which I am happy with the outcome of it,” West said. 

Creighton coach Krista Wood said in a post-game interview that the Jays did not come up with the clutch hit.  

“After the homerun, our girls continued to battle on the mound, and we did not let that bother us,” she said. 

Two days later, the Bluejays took on Big East opponent Seton Hall in a three-game series. 

In the series opener at home on March 24, Creighton tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second following a home run from junior outfielder Emma Rosonke. However, Seton Hall followed with a home run in the top of the third and began to gain momentum. The Bluejays were unable find any traction, falling behind 7-2. 

The next day, the Bluejays faced another large deficit, as Seton Hall scored eight runs in six innings. Although junior outfielder Cayla Nielsen and freshman catcher Lily West scored in the sixth inning, Creighton was defeated 8-2. 

In the final game of the series, the Bluejays found themselves down 6-0 by the fifth inning. However, the Bluejays went on a 5-0 run up to the seventh inning, as Nielsen knocked in a home run, sending her and freshman outfielder Ella Dalton around the bases to make the score 5-2 in favor of the Pirates. 

In the seventh inning, the Bluejays continued to pick up momentum, as two doubles from Rosonke and junior infielder Madeline Vejvoda brought in three runs, bringing the score to within one run at 6-5. Unfortunately, the Bluejays were unable to close the gap, and the game finished 6-5. 

With the losses to Omaha and Seton Hall, the Bluejays fell to 13-18 on the season. 

 Creighton returns to the field on March 31 to face another Big East opponent in the 12-19 Butler Bulldogs at 3:30 p.m.