Friday, May 1
Omaha, Neb.
6:00 PM
Creighton University
28-24, 16-6
2
vs
1
DePaul
19-29, 7-15
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DePaul | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Creighton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | X | 2 | 5 | 0 |
Photo by: Nick Barajas
Gilman and Perez Lift Softball to 2-1 Series Opening Win Over DePaul
5/1/2026 8:39:00 PM | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. – Powered by a two-run single from senior Erika Perez in the fourth and another strong performance from freshman Audrey Gilman in the circle, the Creighton softball team edged out DePaul, 2-1, in the series opener on Friday night at the Creighton Softball Stadium.
The Bluejays improved to 28-24 overall and 16-6 in BIG EAST play to stay in contention for the regular season title, while DePaul fell to 19-29 overall and 7-15 in league action. Creighton's 16 BIG EAST wins this season are tied with last year's 16 league wins for the most in a season since joining the league in 2014.
Gilman picked up her 10th win in BIG EAST play (10-0) and her 15th win (15-8) overall, after striking out six and allowing just four hits in her 10th complete-game effort of the season. Junior Kaelan Schultz paced the Bluejays with a pair of hits, while Perez drove in both runs in the victory.
DePaul took the early lead as the first three Blue Demons reached base safely. Alexis Houge worked a leadoff walk to open the game and moved to second on a single from Morgan Rogers, before Jolie Adams laced an RBI double into the right centerfield gap to give DePaul a 1-0 lead.
Gilman settled in from there retiring the next 11 DePaul batters to keep the Jays within striking distance.
Creighton would answer the call in the bottom half of the fourth as senior Lily West drew a four-pitch walk to open the frame. Schultz followed with a single to right, her second hit of the game, before advancing to second and third on a sacrifice bunt from Tara Vandewater. One out later, Perez lasered a two-run single through the left side to put the Jays out in front 2-1.
Clinging to a one-run lead, Gilman kept the Blue Demons at bay the rest of the way with three punchouts to secure her 15th win of the season.
Creighton and DePaul will continue their three-game set on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Creighton Softball Stadium.
NOTES: Creighton's 16 BIG EAST wins this season are tied with last year's 16 wins for the most in a BIG EAST season since joining the league prior to the 2014 season … Creighton has now won seven straight and nine out of the last 10 meetings with DePaul … Creighton improved to 6-5 this season in one-run contests and picked up just its second win this season when scoring 2 or fewer runs in a game …With two at-bats on Friday, Lily West set a new program record for at-bats in a career with 708 … Lily West also scored a run on Friday, moving into third on Creighton's career runs scored list with 131 runs scored in her career … Lily West recorded the 238th hit of her career on Friday and is now seven hits shy of tying Bluejay Hall of Famer Christy Lunceford's school record of 245 career hits.
The Bluejays improved to 28-24 overall and 16-6 in BIG EAST play to stay in contention for the regular season title, while DePaul fell to 19-29 overall and 7-15 in league action. Creighton's 16 BIG EAST wins this season are tied with last year's 16 league wins for the most in a season since joining the league in 2014.
Gilman picked up her 10th win in BIG EAST play (10-0) and her 15th win (15-8) overall, after striking out six and allowing just four hits in her 10th complete-game effort of the season. Junior Kaelan Schultz paced the Bluejays with a pair of hits, while Perez drove in both runs in the victory.
DePaul took the early lead as the first three Blue Demons reached base safely. Alexis Houge worked a leadoff walk to open the game and moved to second on a single from Morgan Rogers, before Jolie Adams laced an RBI double into the right centerfield gap to give DePaul a 1-0 lead.
Gilman settled in from there retiring the next 11 DePaul batters to keep the Jays within striking distance.
Creighton would answer the call in the bottom half of the fourth as senior Lily West drew a four-pitch walk to open the frame. Schultz followed with a single to right, her second hit of the game, before advancing to second and third on a sacrifice bunt from Tara Vandewater. One out later, Perez lasered a two-run single through the left side to put the Jays out in front 2-1.
Clinging to a one-run lead, Gilman kept the Blue Demons at bay the rest of the way with three punchouts to secure her 15th win of the season.
Creighton and DePaul will continue their three-game set on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Creighton Softball Stadium.
NOTES: Creighton's 16 BIG EAST wins this season are tied with last year's 16 wins for the most in a BIG EAST season since joining the league prior to the 2014 season … Creighton has now won seven straight and nine out of the last 10 meetings with DePaul … Creighton improved to 6-5 this season in one-run contests and picked up just its second win this season when scoring 2 or fewer runs in a game …With two at-bats on Friday, Lily West set a new program record for at-bats in a career with 708 … Lily West also scored a run on Friday, moving into third on Creighton's career runs scored list with 131 runs scored in her career … Lily West recorded the 238th hit of her career on Friday and is now seven hits shy of tying Bluejay Hall of Famer Christy Lunceford's school record of 245 career hits.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Gilman, Audrey (15-8)
L: Bella Nigey (4-8)
Batting:
2B: Jolie Adams 1
RBI: Jolie Adams 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Alexis Houge 1
Batting:
2B: Schultz, Kaelan 1
RBI: Perez, Erika 2
SH: Vandewater, Tara 1
Base Running:
RUNS: West, Lily 1 ; Davis, Lynn 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
C/UTL
/ Softball
Creighton Softball Highlights vs. DePaul, 5/1/26
Saturday, May 02
Creighton Softball Highlights vs. Omaha, 4/28/26
Wednesday, April 29
Creighton Softball Highlights vs. UConn, 4/26/26
Sunday, April 26
Creighton Softball Highlights vs. UConn, 4/25/26
Saturday, April 25
