INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Creighton softball team fell to Butler, 3-0, during the series finale on Sunday at the Butler Softball Field.
The Bluejays moved their season record to 14-24 on the year and 4-15 in conference play, while the Bulldogs improved to 26-14 overall and 12-5 in the BIG EAST.
Creighton managed a pair of hits during the final game of the weekend, while the Bluejay pitching staff allowed just five hits and forced Butler to leave six runners stranded on base.
The Bulldogs threatened in the bottom half of the first inning with runners on second and third, but Creighton starting pitcher Alexis Wiggins recorded a strikeout and a groundout to third to end the inning.
The Bluejays stranded sophomore Alyssa Gappa at second in the top half of the second before Butler’s Bri Avery delivered an RBI single into the left center to take an early 1-0 lead after the second inning.
The Bulldogs starting pitcher Alyssa Graves retired the next eight Bluejays until Gappa worked her second five-pitch walk of the game. Gappa was moved around to third on back-to-back sacrifice bunts by Saren Croker and Cayla Nielsen but was left stranded, keeping the Bluejays off the scoreboard.
Butler extended their lead out to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the home half of the fifth inning. Lauren Fey drew a leadoff walk and stole second before advancing to third on a fielding error. After Ellie Boyer stole second to place runners on second and third, Mackenzie Griman single right back up the middle to make the score 3-0.
Creighton once against place a running in scoring position as junior Kiara Mills recorded a two-out single back up the middle for the Bluejays first hit of the afternoon. Mills then stole second, her third stolen base of the season, and advanced to third on a wild pitch but was left stranded as Rosonke was unable to push Mills across the plate.
Junior Mikayla Santa Cruz entered the circle to retire the side in order in the bottom of the sixth, keeping the score 3-0. Down to their final two-outs, Gappa doubled to left, her third time on base in the game, before Graves retired the final two Bluejays to earn her second shutout of the year.
Gappa and Mills recorded one hit a piece, while Gappa drew a pair of walks for the Bluejays offense. Freshman Alexis Wiggins struck out three during 4.1 innings of work, while Santa Cruz did not allow a hit in 1.2 innings of relief.
The Bluejays will head back on the road for their final midweek contest of the season at South Dakota on Tuesday. First pitch between the Bluejays and Coyotes is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Nygaard Field in Vermillion, S.D.
Creighton Softball blanked by Butler
