While in limited supply, midweek games can decide whether a baseball team has a successful season. Over the last two seasons, the Bluejays baseball team has been dominant in midweek games. They had won seventeen straight midweek games in a streak that dates back to 2023. However, on Tuesday night, this streak came to an end with the Bluejays falling 3-2 to the North Dakota State Bison.
The game got off to a promising start for the Bluejays as they gained an early 1-0 lead after the first inning on a walk with bases loaded. The Bison were able to respond scoring a run off of an error in the third inning and scoring another in the sixth inning on an RBI single. The Bluejays tied the game up at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning with the run coming off of a sacrifice fly. The score remained the same for the next two innings but North Dakota State was able to scratch across a go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning on an RBI single. The Bluejays were unable to answer in their half of the ninth and dropped the game 3-2 to bring their record to 19-9 overall.
The Bluejays had won eight of their ten previous games so this game could just be a speedbump along the season. However, there are still some things that can be taken away from the loss.
#1- Avoiding Errors at Inopportune Times
There is never a good time for a team to make an error but there are certainly some times that are more costly than others. Both the Bluejays and the Bison committed two errors in the game but they had different effects on the game. Both North Dakota State errors came on pickoff plays that were overthrown and the Creighton runner was able to advance. These are still costly in the game but the Bison recovered in both cases and didn’t give up a run following either error. However, one of the Bluejay’s errors came in the third inning with a runner on third base and two outs. It was a very difficult play to make as it was a hard-hit groundball at the first baseman. However, if the Bluejays had been able to make this play it would have prevented the runner from scoring and the Bluejays would have still held the 1-0 lead. Other factors contributed to the Bluejays being unable to come away with a victory but it is difficult to overstate the importance of this play.
#2- The Importance of Not Leaving Runners in Scoring Position
Scoring has rarely been a problem for the Bluejays over the last few weeks. Last weekend against Connecticut, the Bluejays scored 32 runs in three games. However, they were only able to score two against the Bison. This was not due to a lack of hits as they totaled eight for the game. The problem came from not getting a single hit when runners were in scoring position. The Bluejays went 0-12 when runners were in scoring position and left runners stranded at third base in each of the first five innings. The Bluejays had few problems getting runners on base and even into scoring position but that is only half of the equation. The Bluejays were for the most part unable to capitalize when given scoring opportunities which greatly decreased run production and ultimately was a deciding factor in the game.
#3- Waiting for the Right Pitch
Throughout a game, an offense is likely to face multiple pitchers. This is even more likely in a midweek game when the pitchers are commonly throwing with shorter rest. Teams can take advantage of this and force pitchers to throw more pitches to get them tired. This leads to more mistakes from the opposing pitcher which can lead to hits or walks. The Bluejays did this successfully in the first inning as the Bison threw 32 pitches in the first inning alone. This included two walks and ultimately led to a run. However, for the rest of the game, the Bison never threw more than twenty pitches in an inning. A lot of this came from the Bison throwing good pitches but a portion also comes from swinging early in counts. Sometimes the right pitch can come early in an at-bat but in a game with very few hard-hit balls, it is very important to get into a hitter count. This leads to better opportunities and sometimes a free pass to first base.
The Bluejays will return to action Friday afternoon when they travel to New Jersey for a three-game Big East series against the Seton Hall Pirates. The first pitch for the series opener is set for 3 p.m. today.