The Creighton men’s baseball team is off to its first 3-0 start since 2000.
The Bluejays finished their weekend sweep of the University of Central Arkansas last Sunday with a 5-1 victory in Conway, Ark.
Junior pitcher Nick Musec picked up a win after 2.2 innings of work. Senior infielder Chance Ross went 3-for-5 at the plate. Creighton started scoring early, with senior infielder Nick Judkins banging a two-run homer in the first inning.
That was all the pitching staff needed, as they would only need one run all game. Junior pitcher Andrew Urban made good use of his first career start, pitching three scoreless innings. The bullpen came in after that and made sure that the outcome was never really in doubt.
The game last Saturday had a much more exciting ending.
Tied at three runs apiece at the end of nine innings, the two teams played an extra frame. That one inning was all that Creighton’s offense needed.
The Bluejays scored four runs in the top of the 10th. Sophomore outfielder Mike Gerber, junior infielder Alex Staehely and senior infielder Michael Mutcheson all knocked in runs.
While the run support was encouraging, head coach Ed Servais sees room for improvement.
“That game should have never went to extra innings,” Servais said. “We had some opportunities to end it earlier, but it is encouraging that our offense came through in the 10th.”
The game on Feb. 17 was special for more than one reason.
Junior pitcher Ty Blach’s triumphant pitching performance led the Bluejays to a 4-3 victory.
Blach struck out six batters in five innings and he picked up his first victory of the season. Blach gives most of the credit to his teammates, though.
“A large part of that game was the defense behind me,” Blach said. “Alex Staehely made a few great plays at shortstop. Chance Ross made some plays, too, and Anthony Bemboom caught a great game.”
The win was also coach Servais’ 300th career win at Creighton. Servais now holds a 302-165 record with the Bluejays.
The Bluejays are playing again Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. They will be facing the Portland Pilots in Portland, Ore.