DENTON, Texas — The Creighton softball team fell during a pair of games on Friday at the North Texas Invitational in Denton, Texas. The Bluejays lost 3-1 against Missouri State before dropping a 2-1 contest to North Texas.
The Bluejays moved to 3-4 on the season.
Creighton allowed only five total runs and seven hits in two games, but the Bluejays offense managed only seven hits and two runs.
The Bluejays fell behind during the first game of the day by allowing a pair of runs in the first inning. Missouri State took advantage of three walks and an error to plate two early runs.
Creighton cut the deficit to a single run in the bottom of the third inning. Sam Alm reached on a fielders choice, stole second and scored on an RBI single off the bat of Cayla Nielsen.
During the fourth inning, the Bluejays had a runner at third base with only one out. Mikaela Pechar attempted to drive in Jacey Sawyer from third base with a squeeze attempt, but Missouri State recorded an out with a fielders choice at home plate to maintain the lead.
The Bears added to their lead with a RBI single up the middle during the top of the seventh.
Pechar led off the last of the seventh with a single but did not advance as Missouri State went to its bullpen and recorded three consecutive strikeouts.
Kiele Miller pitched the complete game against the Bears and allowed two earned runs while scattering four hits, walking six and striking out three.
Creighton fell during the night cap on a walk-off.
North Texas drew a pair of walks during the bottom of the seventh before an RBI single ended the game.
The Mean Green opened the game with a run in the bottom of the first via a two-out solo home run.
The Bluejays tied the contest at 1-1 in the fifth. Pechar reached on a two-base error before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Victoria Alvarez. Creighton executed a squeeze play to plate Pechar as Kaitlynn Hunt laid a bunt down the first-base line before the first baseman misfired a throw towards the catcher at home plate.
After allowing a pair of hits during the first inning, Bluejay starter Mikayla Santa Cruz retired 17 consecutive batters she faced before walking a batter with one out in the seventh. The sophomore ended the game with three hits and two earned runs allowed, while walking two and striking out three.
Ashley Cantu recorded Creightons lone hit against North Texas with a one-out single in the sixth inning.
Mean Green starting pitcher Hope Trautwein recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts.
The Bluejays return to action at the North Texas Invitational with a pair of games on Saturday. Creighton will matchup against UT Martin at 10 a.m. before facing Abilene Christian at 12:30 p.m.
