The Creighton Bluejays softball team delivered an exciting weekend sweeping the Villanova Wildcats with three walk-off home runs, with Saturday and Sunday’s games ending by run rule. Through the exciting offense, Creighton showcased a high level of team resilience but also a strong defensive game through pitching.
The opening game on Friday set the tone for an exciting weekend as the Jays pulled off an 11-10 walk-off win. Creighton got off to a strong start with freshman Zoey Greenwood robbing Villanova of a home run in the second inning with an impressive catch at the wall to keep the Bluejays within striking distance.
Creighton found themselves in a back-and-forth with the Wildcats, trading runs through the innings. After numerous lead changes, the Jays found themselves down 10-8 in the seventh inning and were looking to rally their way back to a win.
Relief pitcher and freshman Audrey Gilman helped keep the Wildcats from scoring and ultimately earned herself the win on the game. This set the stage for Keegan Mayhue, who hit a three-run home run putting the Bluejays up 11-10 and giving them the win.
As Mayhue rounded the bases, she was greeted with her teammates at home plate and a water bottle shower in celebration. With the new Creighton softball stadium opening at the beginning of this season, this was the first walk-off hit in the park.
In Saturday’s matchup, Creighton dominated Villanova with an 11-3 run rule victory. The Wildcats struck first with a solo home run in the second inning, but the Jays responded in a dramatic fashion.
In the bottom of the second inning, Creighton scored seven runs, including a pinch-hit grand slam from senior Ashley Smetter that made everyone in the dugout rise to their feet.
Pitcher and freshman Ava Drehs gave a complete game performance allowing just three runs with Villanova hitters struggling to make contact. After hitting a batter in the third inning, Drehs kept her composure and was able to bounce back.
“She settled in and started to just trust her spots, trust her spins,” head coach Krista Wood said. “She did a good job hanging in there … adjusted well and kept us in the game.”
After this, Creighton continued their rampage with another home run. Junior Avery Barnard delivered the final blow with a three-run home run putting the Bluejays up 11-3 and ending the game on a run rule in the fifth inning.
The final game on Sunday was just as exciting, as Creighton completed their sweep with a 10-1 victory with yet another walk-off. The freshman pitcher started off strong; she found her groove and struck out the next three batters.
The momentum continued in the first inning with a leadoff home run from Zoey Greenwood, and the Jays put up four runs to start out the game.
Sophomore transfer Tara Vandewater continued to impress this weekend with a two-run walk-off home run to end the game and the series. Vandewater has earned Sports Illustrated Player of the Week for her performance against the Wildcats. The Jays showed the joy of softball with their celebrations throughout the weekend and will be carrying this momentum into the coming week.
After a matchup against the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Wednesday, the Jays began a non-conference series with the Redhawks. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
