Series: Creighton wins 2-1
Creighton: 35-13, 12-6 MVC
One week after losing a series at Wichita State, Creighton hit the road for their last league series away from Omaha. The Bluejays needed to win their series at Evansville to remain in first place in the Valley with one weekend of league games left. They were able to take the first two games against the Aces, thanks to solid starting pitching by Jonas Dufek and Ty Blach and effective appearances by the Bluejays’ bullpen regulars.
After playing former CU coach Jack Dahm’s Iowa Hawkeyes Tuesday, Ed Servais and the league-leading Jays host second place Missouri State with a Missouri Valley Conference championship on the line. The Bears enter the three-game series one-half game back of the Bluejays in the standings. MSU and Evansville played only twice in the regular season, as inclement weather forced the cancellation of their third game on May 1. And while Wichita State (at Bradley) enters the weekend just one full game back of Creighton in the standings, all eyes will be on TD Ameritrade Park as the Valley looks to crown a regular season champ.
Friday (and Saturday): Creighton 2, Evansville 1 (12 Innings)
It took 12 innings over two days, but the Bluejays pulled out a one-run win in the series opener. Creighton’s Jimmy Swift singled with one out in the 12th inning, and then advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and an Evansville error. Swift scored on a squeeze bunt by Alex Staehely, and Chase Webb and Jack VanLeur made the lead hold up in the bottom of the inning despite a leadoff single.
The game started Friday evening, but was suspended after the fifth inning due to weather concerns. Dufek did not pitch when the game resumed Saturday, having struck out seven Aces and not allowing a run in five innings Friday. Evansville’s Kyle Lloyd matched Creighton’s ace Friday, but he too did not return when the game resumed Saturday.
The Bluejays got 7 innings of one-run relief from Reese McGraw, Kurt Spomer, Mark Winkelman, Webb, and VanLeur, with Webb picking up the win in relief.
Saturday: Creighton 4, Evansville 0
The Jays didn’t need nearly as long to win the second game of the weekend. Ty Blach bounced back from a subpar start against Wichita State last Friday and continued the momentum he picked up against Nebraska earlier in the week. He surrendered just three hits and three walks in seven innings, and Winkelman and VanLeur completed CU’s seventh shutout of the season.
The Jays collected 11 hits to just 5 for UE. Nick Judkins, Jimmy Swift, Staehely, and Mike Gerber each had two hits for CU, and Gerber added his sixth home run of the season.
Sunday: Evansville 10, Creighton 1
Cody Fick made sure the Aces dealt Creighton a setback on Evansville’s Senior Day. Evansville’s star two-way player threw a complete game, giving up just one run while picking up his seventh win of the season and salvaging the last game of the weekend for the host team.
Greg Hellhake started the game for Creighton but couldn’t make it out of the third inning despite striking out four Aces. He gave way to Brandon Koenigstein, who lasted less than two innings before giving up five runs (four earned). Nick Musec and Erik Mattingly pitched the final frames for the Jays, allowing Creighton’s bullpen regulars some rest.