Series Preview
- Friday: 7:00 p.m., Rosenblatt Stadium
- Saturday: 2:00 p.m., CU Sports Complex
- Sunday: 12:00 p.m., CU Sports Complex
In the second-to-last weekend of games ever played at The Complex, the Jays face the predicament of needing to win all eight of their remaining games to win 30 for the sixth consecutive season after being swept by Wichita State last weekend. With Wednesday’s doubleheader at North Dakota State being canceled, the Jays will finish the season on a 17-game homestand, which theoretically gives them an outstanding chance at winning all eight…except they’re winless in non-conference play at the Complex this year, and have struggled at home in general.
Nonetheless, because of the rainout, this is the first time in program history the Jays will have a road stretch and homestand of 15 or more games in the same season. It will be the longest homestand to end a regular season in Creighton history, with the next longest homestand to end a regular season being 12 games in 1998.
This weekend, they welcome in first-year NCAA D1 team Seattle University, a team that coincidentally has just eight wins all season, and has struggled mightily both on the mound and at the plate.
Just how tough have things been for the Redhawks this season?
Well, they’ve allowed twice as many runs as they’ve scored, for one thing (178 runs scored, 357 allowed). They’re hitting just .239 as a team, with only 17 home runs. And they don’t hit for power to the gaps, either, with just 16% of their hits going for extra bases. Put another way using advanced metrics: their team OPS (On-Base + Slugging) is a ghastly .637.
On the mound, the stats are deceiving. Their team ERA is nightmarish, just a shade under 7 (6.84), they walk nearly as many as they strikeout, and they allow opposing offenses to hit .304 against them. But their top three starting pitchers have a combined 4.60 ERA with an opponent batting average almost 50 points lower. Fortunately the Jays will only face one of those three this weekend, and they get the worst of the bunch in Arlo Evasick (1-9, 5.52 ERA, 2:1 K/BB).
The Friday game at Rosenblatt features the “Ultimate Tailgate” beforehand, where Jays fans are encouraged to enjoy the flavors of several local restaurants who will have tents set up. New Men’s Basketball coach Greg McDermott will also be there to meet and greet the fans. Saturday and Sunday’s games will be back at the Complex.
Weather Forecast
Its a glorious day outside today, the reward for four consecutive cold and rainy days in Omaha. By 5PM when the tailgate starts, it should be in the mid-60s with a light breeze and very few clouds. But since I’m not a meteorologist, I’ll let the professionals take it from here.
About Last Weekend…
Creighton suffered a tough sweep at the hands of Wichita State. Wichita State controlled the first two games, but Creighton held a 7-5 lead heading into the ninth inning of game three. The Shockers rallied for three runs in the frame. Go read Danny’s recap of all the gory details if you’re feeling like bringin’ on the heartbreak, Def Leppard style.
Last year…and Historically
Seattle and Creighton have never met in baseball, and best as I can tell, they’ve never met in any sport. I could make something up, but that seems rather uncouth.
On The Mound
Friday: Jonas Dufek (7-2, 4.11 ERA) vs Seattle’s Arlo Evasick (1-9, 5.52 ERA)
Saturday: Ty Blach (2-3, 3.12 ERA) vs Seattle’s Conor Spink (0-4, 8.58 ERA)
Sunday: Brandon Koenigstein (4-2, 4.40 ERA) vs Seattle’s Brian Shannon (1-3, 13.83 ERA)
Obviously, as the weekend progresses, the pitching matchups get more and more favorable for the Jays. Those are some horrifying numbers for the Seattle starters, and their peripheral numbers are even worse. Spink and Shannon both walk nearly as many as they strikeout, and have averaged just five innings per start. Meanwhile, the Jays counter with Blach and Koenigstein, two pitchers who have pitched well all season long.
Tale of the Tape
As detailed above, Seattle has been absolutely horrendous at the plate this season. Lets stack them up in the Tale of the Tape are see just how they compare!
| Category |
Creighton
|
Seattle
|
| Batting Average |
.281
|
.239
|
| Runs Scored |
277
|
178
|
| Hits |
400
|
341
|
| Doubles |
87
|
57
|
| Triples |
15
|
4
|
| Home Runs |
39
|
17
|
| Stolen Bases-Attempts |
36-55
|
24-39
|
| OPS |
.813
|
.637
|
| ERA |
4.94
|
6.84
|
| Complete Games |
2
|
1
|
| Saves |
8
|
5
|
| Runs Allowed |
230
|
357
|
| Walks |
121
|
168
|
| Strikeouts |
257
|
204
|
| Batting Average Against |
.275
|
.304
|
Facts, Figures, and Fodder
Ed Servais is one win away from the milestone 250th in his CU career … For the second straight season, the Jays are at the top of the nation in fielding percentage, at .981 … Creighton’s pitching staff has allowed the fewest runs in the MVC, has walked the fewest batters, and has allowed the fewest stolen bases … Creighton is 9-0 when they give up three runs or less, and 11-1 when allowing four or fewer runs.
Media Guide
All three games can be heard live on 1620 AM in Omaha, with John Bishop and Dave Gustafson on the call. The games are also streamed live from GoCreighton.com.