Creighton vs. Missouri State Preview
- Thursday: 12:00 p.m., TD Ameritrade Park
- Friday: 7:00 p.m., TD Ameritrade Park
- Saturday: 1:00 p.m., TD Ameritrade Park
Media Menu
Today’s radio broadcast, led by John Bishop and David Gustafson, takes place on 1180 AM KOIL. The series coverage shifts to 1620 AM KOZN Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Go to the schedule page on GoCreighton.com for a link to listen online, and for live stats.
Last weekend…
The Bluejays beat Evansville twice, but the Bears swept Bradley at home, thus cutting Creighton’s lead in the standings to just one-half game entering the last weekend of regular season plays in the Valley. Meanwhile, Wichita State hosted Indiana State and took two of three from the Sycamores, leaving the Shockers one game behind CU in the standings.
A sweep this weekend by Creighton gives the Bluejays the title, while a sweep by the Bears would bring the trophy to Springfield. But if either team wins the weekend by taking two of three, and Wichita State sweeps Bradley, the Shockers would catapult past CU and MSU for at least a share of the Valley crown.
Last year…
Missouri State hosted Creighton and took two of three from the Jays. Rain forced the final two games of the weekend to take place as a doubleheader, and the Bears swept the twin bill with two one-run wins.
Historically…
The Bears hold a slim advantage in the all-time series, 37-35. Under Ed Servais, now the winningest coach in Creighton baseball history, the Bluejays are 12-12 against MSU.
Creighton needs to win the series to capture at least a share of the Missouri Valley Conference championship, which would be the Jays’ first since 2005 and just the second in school history. Missouri State, meanwhile, is trying to win its fourth regular season title. The Bears took home the trophy in 2001, 2003, and 2009.
On the Mound
- Thursday: Jonas Dufek (8-1 / 2.38) vs. Nick Petree (8-1 / 2.89)
- Friday: Ty Blach (9-1 / 2.53) vs. Blake Barber (7-3 / 3.04)
- Saturday: TBA vs. TBA
The pitching matchups for the first two games of the weekend promise to be special, as the starters are a combined 32-6 and pepper most of the league’s pitching statistics leader boards. And from top to bottom, both teams’ pitching staffs are comparable. Dan Kickham, the Bears closer, leads the Valley in saves and offers MSU a lock-down option for the late innings. Creighton’s bullpen regulars, led by Kurt Spomer, surrendered only one earned run against Evansville and blanked Iowa in a 5-3 win against the Hawkeyes Tuesday.
At the Plate
Missouri State batters lead the league in batting average, while striking out the fewest times in the Valley. The Bears trail only Wichita State in total hits, and only the Shockers and Illinois State Redbirds in runs scored. The Bluejays offer a more feast-or-famine outcome, sitting squarely in the middle of the league in measures such as batting average, on base percentage, and total bases while pacing the Valley in slugging percentage, triples, and home runs. That’s not to say CU doesn’t do the little things: the Jays lead the Valley in being hit by pitch and sacrifice bunts.
Individually, Trever Adams continues his outstanding senior campaign. Creighton’s biggest offensive threat is in the top three league-wide in the Triple Crown categories (third in batting average, third in runs batted in, and first in home runs). He leads the league in total bases, as well.
The Bears are led by Brock Chaffin, Aaron Conway, and Kevin Medrano. Chaffin, a JUCO transfer in his first year at MSU, leads the team in batting average and is among Valley leaders in average, slugging percentage, and on base percentage. Conway and Medrano, both preseason All-MVC selections, also power the Bears lineup.
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