Creighton Softball Tabbed Fourth in BIG EAST Preseason

OMAHA, Neb. – Coming off the programs most successful season in over a decade, the Creighton softball team was picked to finish fourth in the 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the league announced on Friday, January 17. 
 
Creighton received one first-place vote and a total of 43 points, falling three points shy of St. John’s who was picked third with 46 points. Defending BIG EAST regular-season and tournament champion Villanova was tabbed the preseason favorite by the league coaches, earning six first-place votes and 61 points overall, while UConn generated two first-place votes and 57 points to finish second. 
 
Seton Hall checked in at fifth with 39 points, while Butler (28) edged out Providence (27) by one point for fifth. DePaul (14) and Georgetown (9) rounded out the poll in the eighth and ninth position respectfully. 
 
The Bluejays return 11 letterwinners from last year’s team that advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament championship game and finished tied for second overall with a 36-22 record for its first 35-win season since 2010. 
 
All-BIG EAST Second Team selection Sydra Seville returns to patrol the outfield after leading the Bluejays in batting average (.367) last season. She is joined by her counterpart and All-BIG EAST First Team honoree Ella Dalton, who owned a .315 batting average with 45 hits, including a team-high two triples and seven stolen bases last spring.
 
On the infield, the Bluejays are led by 2024 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year recipient Ashten Pierson. Pierson, one of only four Bluejays to start all 58 games last season, led the league with a perfect 1.000 percent fielding percentage on 38 putouts, contributing 48 assists and fielding five double plays during league action a season ago. She's accompanied by standout junior Lily West, who hit .326 on 60 hits and recorded a team-high tying 32 runs scored a season ago. 
 
Creighton ranked third in the BIG EAST in both strikeouts (289) and earned run average (3.36) last season but is forced to replace the 2024 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year Natalia Puchino, who led the league in ERA (1.83) and wins (26) a year ago. Senior Kenzie Schopfer, however, will headline the Bluejays pitching staff in 2025, as she looks to build upon her six-win, 64 strikeout and 4.00 ERA season from a year ago. In addition, the Bluejays will look for sophomores Brooklyn Patchen and Brooke Shifflett to be key contributors in the circle this season. 
 
Creighton opens the 2025 season at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C. on Feb. 7-9, battling Purdue Fort Wayne to begin the new campaign. The home portion of the schedule begins on March 11 when the Jays welcome in former Missouri Valley Conference rival Drake. 
 
BIG EAST play begins on March 7 when Creighton travels to take on Providence in Rhode Island. The top six finishers in the BIG EAST regular-season standings will qualify for the BIG EAST Championship presented by Jeep, with the winner receiving the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Regionals.
 
Results (First Place Votes)
1. Villanova - 61 (6)
2. UConn - 57 (2)
3. St. John's - 46
4. Creighton - 43 (1)
5. Seton Hall - 39
6. Butler - 28
7. Providence - 27
8. DePaul - 14
9. Georgetown - 9