LONGWOOD, Fla. – The Creighton softball team allowed only one run during a pair of victories on Friday at THE Spring Games in Longwood, Florida. The Bluejays defeated LIU, 2-0, and recorded a 2-1 win over Bethune-Cookman.
Creighton improved to 10-8.
Kiele Miller posted a one-hit shutout as the Bluejays opened their trip to Florida with a two-run victory against LIU.
Miller struck out five and walked two, while allowing a single hit during the opening inning and recorded the complete-game victory.
Creightons pair of runs came in the top of the second frame. Mikaela Pechar led off the inning with a walk before Kailey Wilson hit a double off the left-field wall to put runners at second and third base. Kiara Mills put the Bluejays in the run column with a two-RBI double off the right-field wall to drive in pinch-runners Jacey Sawyer and Madeline Vejvoda.
The Bluejays threatened in the third as Ashley Cantu singled into left before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt and ground out to second base but the inning ended with a fly out to right.
During the sixth inning, Creighton put runners on the corners with two outs. Mileah McKelvy hit a single to center field and Wilson singled into left to send pinch-runner Sydney Jenkins to third base. The frame ended with a diving play by the LIU third baseman.
Wilson finished the game 2-for-3 as the Bluejays recorded six hits.
Miller stranded a pair of runners in the first inning and the Sharks ended the game with six runners left on base.
Mikayla Santa Cruz allowed a single run and scattered six hits during a complete-game victory against Bethune-Cookman.
The Bluejays scored single runs in both the third and fifth innings, as Creighton recorded its first one-run victory of the season.
Kaitlynn Hunt doubled to right-center field to start the home-half of the third. Cantu singled and Hunt advanced to second before Cayla Nielsen sent a ground ball towards the middle of the infield and the BCU defense failed to record an out as Nielsen reached on an infield single. The Wildcats did record an out at home plate as Pechar sent a ground ball to first base before the first baseman successfully threw out Cantu trying to score.
Bethune-Cookman tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth with a pair of singles.
Creighton regained the advantage in the bottom fifth. Sam Alm led off the inning with a double, advanced to third on a bunt single and scored on an RBI groundout by Cantu. Nielsen walked and McKelvy was hit by the pitch to load the bases before the Wildcats recorded an out at home plate on a force play.
Santa Cruz sat down six of the final seven batters she faced to end the game.
Cantu went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Hunt finished 2-for-2 and scored once.
Creighton returns to the fields at Boombah Soldiers Creek in Longwood, Florida on Saturday morning. The Bluejays will play No. 12 Florida State at 10 a.m. before facing Cleveland State at 12:30 p.m.
