Series Details
- Thursday at 12:30 p.m. // Live Stats // Watch $// 1180 AM
- Friday at 6:30 p.m. // Live Stats // Watch on NET // 1620 AM
- Saturday at 1:00 p.m. (regular season finale) // Live Stats // Watch $ // 1620 AM
The Mother Nature Report
After watching a ten-minute downpour erase a Mother’s Day clash with No. 22 Nevada last Sunday, Ed Servais and the Bluejays are hoping for some better luck in getting their final regular season series into the books. Unfortunately, the weather forecast is not going to make that as easy as many would like. According to accuweather.com, a 40% chance of thunderstorms on Thursday and a 60% chance on Friday threatens the first two games between Creighton and Villanova.
- High 60s at first pitch on Thursday afternoon; thunderstorms possible
- Mid 70s at first pitch on Friday evening; thunderstorms possible
- High 70s at first pitch on Saturday afternoon
Thoughts on Villanova
The Wildcats will enter Thursday’s series opener with a losing record overall and in Big East play (22-25 / 7-8). However, they find themselves in a three-way tie for third place with Seton Hall and Georgetown, and one game ahead of Butler. All four teams will be playing this weekend for the chance to clinch the one of the last two spots in the Big East Tournament. Creighton and Big East regular-season champion St. John’s have already secured the first two bids.
Although they have a losing record on the season, the Wildcats will come to Omaha having won seven of their last 10 games. All three of their losses in that stretch have been by three runs or fewer, so they’re playing well at a time when they need to the most.
Villanova is led offensively by a few different players. Junior left fielder Adam Goss leads the team in batting average (.329), on-base percentage (.440), and runs scored (39), while sitting in second on the club with 12 stolen bases. Junior first baseman Max Beermann provides the pop with a team-leading 18 doubles, six home runs, and 37 runs batted in. Another big threat is junior third baseman Kevin Jewitt. Aside from hitting the game-winning in the top of the 10th inning against Saint Joseph’s on Tuesday night, the West Chester, Pennsylvania native leads the team with 14 stolen bases, and is second in home runs (4) and runs batted in (29).
On the mound, the Wildcats sport an earned run average of 4.09 and the best mark among their normal weekend rotation is sophomore left-hander Hunter Schryver’s 4.55 earned run average. Normal Saturday starter Ryan Doty left his last start after just 2/3 of an inning due to injury. It is unknown whether or not he will be available to pitch against Creighton.
The Creighton Bluejays, by the Numbers
- Record: 27-17 (10-4 Big East)
- RPI: 69, according to ncaa.com (1st in the Big East)
Catching up with Creighton
Creighton brings a 4-6 record over their last ten games into the final series of the regular season. Their last four home games have all gone to the opponent, starting with a one-run loss to Nebraska. Then 5-4 and 4-0 losses this weekend to Nevada before dropping a 6-2 decision on Tuesday night against Arkansas. The Bluejays are 1-5 in their last six games at TD Ameritrade Park, and have not won there since April 21 when they beat Nebraska-Omaha, 8-2.
On the Mound
Projected Starters
- Thursday, May 14: Creighton RHP Matt Warren (5-2, 2.84 ERA) vs. Villanova LHP Hunter Schryver (1-5, 4.55 ERA)
- Friday, May 15: Creighton RHP Rollie Lacy (5-0, 2.31 ERA) vs. Villanova LHP Mike Sgaramella (4-2, 3.56 ERA)
- Saturday, May 16: Creighton RHP Keith Rogalla (3-2, 4.18 ERA) vs. Villanova LHP Josh Harris (3-3, 6.15 ERA)
Creighton
- 3.25 earned run average (National Rank: 33)
- 1.66 strikeout-to-walk ratio (National Rank: 196)
- .976 fielding percentage (National Rank: 22)
- 7.58 hits allowed per game (National Rank: 12)
Villanova
- 4.09 earned run average (National Rank: 109)
- 1.54 strikeout-to-walk ratio (National Rank: 221)
- .969 fielding percentage (National Rank: 105)
- 9.43 hits allowed per game (National Rank: 146)
At the Plate
Creighton
- .266 batting average (National Rank: 193)
- .354 slugging percentage (National Rank: 229)
- .350 on-base percentage (National Rank: 193)
- 4.9 runs per game (National Rank: 205)
Villanova
- .269 batting average (National Rank: 180)
- .357 slugging percentage (National Rank: 218)
- .358 on-base percentage (National Rank: 154)
- 4.7 runs per game (National Rank: 229)
