Bluejays Snap Huskers' 14-Game Win Streak

Omaha, Neb. --- The Creighton Bluejay softball team snapped an eight-game losing skid to Nebraska and put an end to the Huskers' third-longest winning streak in school history Thursday night at the Creighton Sports Complex. Creighton pitchers Marie Gieron and Shelli Mellegaard combined for a one-hit shutout and a 1-0 win over Nebraska in front of 347 fans. The Huskers, who brought a 14-game winning streak into the game, fall to 27-16 on the year with their first loss since March 18.

One of Nebraska's best chances to score might have come in the top of the first inning. Jennifer Lizama, playing in her first game since March 22 after suffering a partially-torn hamstring, drew a two-out walk. Ginger Taylor, who came in to pinch run for Lizama, then advanced to second when Creighton shortstop Cara Van Winkle misplayed an Amber Burgess grounder. But Jamie Fuente, who was on a four-game hitting streak entering the game, grounded out to second to end the inning. The Huskers recorded their only hit of the game in the top of the second when Jenifer Williams hit a chopper deep in the hole at shortstop causing a no throw by Winkle. Amanda Buchholz sacrificed Williams to second where she would remain after Lori Tschannen and Alice Brewer were retired. Creighton put its first run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Francesca Nix drew a leadoff walk and Marie Gieron collected the second of her two singles to advance Nix to third. Emily Townsend then struck out before Ashlee Trapp, who came in to run for Gieron, stole second, leaving two runnres in scoring position. Sami Herbster then became the second strikeout victim of the inning for NU starter Leigh Ann Walker before Nix and Trapp baited Nebraska into a run down with Nix crossing the plate before Trapp could be tagged out at second. Jenny Voss came on in relief of Walker in the sixth inning and walked her first batter, Temple Windhorst. A fielder's choice then put Nix on first and she immediately advanced to second on a passed ball. A Gieron groundout moved Nix to third to bring up Townsend with two outs. Townsend laid down a perfectly placed bunt that scored Nix from third and gave the 'Jays a 2-0 lead. Mellegaard, who relieved Gieron in the top of the fifth, struck out the side in the top of the seventh for her second save of the year. Gieron improved to 7-3 while Walker picked up her first loss since March 17, to fall to 11-5.

The Huskers return to conference play at home this weekend with a single game on both Saturday and Sunday against Baylor. Saturday's contest will begin at 4:30 p.m. and can be heard on campus radio station KRNU (90.3). Sunday's game will start at 1 p.m. and broadcast live on KRNU.

Nebraska 000 000 0 0 1 0
Creighton 000 101 x 2 4 1
W: Marie Gieron (7-3); L: Leigh Ann Walker (11-5); S: Shelli Mellegaard (2)
E: Van Winkle; LOB: Nebraska 5, Creighton 3
SH: Buchholz (4); SB: Trapp; CS: Fuente (3); PB: Burgess (7); Time: 1:48; Attendance: 347