VILLANOVA, Pa. – A seven-game homestand comes to an end this weekend for the Villanova softball program as the Wildcats (9-13, 1-2 BIG EAST) host the Creighton Bluejays for a three-game conference series from Mar. 14-16.

BATTLING THE BLUEJAYS    
One of the surprises of the 2024 softball campaign makes their way to the Main Line this weekend as the Wildcats welcome last year's BIG EAST runners-up to the Villanova Softball Complex. The Bluejays were projected to finish sixth last year and made it all the way to the championship game, but are expected to compete for the title again this year. Creighton was one of just two conference teams to take a series over the 'Cats last year, besting VU in two of three games in Omaha before Villanova took the BIG EAST title against the Bluejays. The Wildcats swept both the 2022 and 2023 contests against the Jays, moving to 17-12 all-time opposite Creighton.

MATCHUP WITH MONMOUTH    
The Wildcats kicked off their week of action on a high note, taking down Monmouth 10-5 on Wednesday afternoon. The 'Cats got good production out of their starters in the lineup and were able to get some playing time for the reserves while outlasting the Hawks. Kelsey White contributed VU's first multi-double game of the season while Brooklyn Ostrowski hit a two-run homer and Elaina Wagner scored twice while driving in two runs with her first career triple. Villanova got time in the circle for its three young reserve right-handers with Maddy Burns receiving her first start and Sophia Mount going two stanzas of relief. Maranda Runco totaled two hits and scored twice at the plate in addition to her first career win as a pitcher with a staff-high three innings and two strikeouts.

THE PITCHING PLAN    
After the graduation of Villanova's all-time saves leader and 2024's Friday starter, the roles and spots in the Wildcat rotation were up for grabs entering the year. Through the early portion of the season it's been a three-headed monster for the 'Cats, who have relied heavily on junior Kat Gallant and freshman Lexi Kobryn for just under 70 percent of the innings while White has started as the pitcher five times in addition to her outfield duties. Gallant has showcased her prowess in the circle during her third campaign, tossing six complete games with a team-best 35 strikeouts. Kobryn burst onto the scene right away, earning BIG EAST Pitcher & Freshman of the Week after a pair of complete game shutouts at the Joan Joyce Classic. White has been steady as ever, surrendering zero walks in 25 innings. Beyond those three, there's opportunity for a trio of young right-handers in Runco, Burns and Mount.

HEADLINE ABOUT CREIGHTON

• So far in 2025, the Bluejays have accumulated a record of 11-9 with three wins at the Kickin' Chicken Classic, four at the Kennesaw State Tournament and two at the UC Santa Barbara Tournament before dropping a pair of BIG EAST contests at Providence last weekend.
• Creighton racked up a 36-22 record in 2024 with 16 conference Ws, battling out of the losers' bracket to finish as runners-up at the BIG EAST Tournament to the 'Cats. 
• Two of Creighton's hitters are above .300 on the year, led by a .406 average and 28 hits from Sydra Seville and 25 knocks for Lily West. Erika Perez paces the squad with four homers and five doubles and Furman transfer Hannah Poole maintains a .293 average in 15 starts.
• CU must replace the conference's Pitcher of the Year Natalia Puchino in the circle, but returns sophomores Brooklyn Patchen (44.2 innings and eight starts) and Brooke Shifflett (team-high six wins and 37 strikeouts) plus senior Kenzie Schopfer (five starts) while first-year Abby Rusher (2.55 ERA in 10 appearances) rounds out the rotation.

All three games will feature streaming on FloCollege, with statistics courtesy of StatBroadcast. The opener on Friday starts with a first pitch at 3:00 p.m. while Saturday is 12:00 p.m. and Sunday is slated for 11:00 a.m. from the Villanova Softball Complex.