Villanova Tops Creighton Again in Extra Innings Softball Thriller

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Creighton softball team suffered a second consecutive disappointment, losing to Villanova 5-4 in 10 innings on Saturday afternoon at the Villanova Softball Complex.

The Bluejays now stand at 1-4 in BIG EAST play and 11-1 overall, while the Wildcats improved to 3-2 in the conference and 11-13 for the season with the win.

Saturday’s clash marked the fifth extra-inning encounter between the two teams, with Villanova holding a 3-2 edge in those contests. The back-and-forth nature of the game mirrored Friday’s opener, where pitching dominated the early play.

Creighton struck first in the fourth inning, taking a 1-0 lead. Sophomore [Player Name] initiated a rally with a bloop single to left, while a single from graduate [Player Name] placed runners on first and second. Junior [Player Name] followed with an RBI single, allowing the Bluejays to get on the board.

Villanova responded promptly, scoring twice in the bottom of the fourth. Singles from Maranda Runco and Kelsey White, along with a hit-by-pitch on Brooklyn Ostrowski, loaded the bases. Ava Franz then delivered a two-run single through the infield, giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead.

Creighton countered in the fifth, regaining the advantage with three runs. Senior [Player Name] opened with a single, though was cut down at second when junior [Player Name] reached on a fielder’s choice. Following a Villanova fielding error, sophomore [Player Name] launched her fourth home run of the season, giving Creighton a 4-2 lead.

But the Wildcats did not back down; they tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth with two runs on singles from Ostrowski and Franz. The teams remained locked in a stalemate for the next four and a half innings.

The tension climaxed when Franz hit a 3-2 pitch over the centerfield wall, clinching the walk-off win for Villanova.

Notably, seven different Bluejays achieved a hit in the game, with Seville leading the charge with a career-high three hits. Meanwhile, Schultz, Poole, and Dalton contributed two hits each.

On the mound, [Player Name] faced the tough loss, allowing just one run on two hits in 4.2 innings. Franz excelled for Villanova, finishing with three hits and four RBIs, while Kat Gallant secured her sixth win of the season, pitching five scoreless innings of relief.

Creighton and Villanova will conclude their three-game series on Sunday at 10 a.m. Central at the Villanova Softball Complex.