After a thrilling 11-4 win over Kansas in the Fayetteville Regional opener, Creighton Baseball had a date with one of the nation’s top programs in No. 6 Arkansas. However, the Bluejays couldn’t replicate the same success they had the day before. Facing a deep Arkansas lineup and an efficient outing from ace Zach Root, the Bluejays fell 12-1 in the winner’s bracket game of the NCAA Tournament Fayetteville Regional.
Creighton (42-15) was limited to five hits and struck out seven times, while Arkansas (45-13) used five homeruns and 14 free passes to steadily pull away in front of 10,115 fans at Baum-Walker Stadium.
“Arkansas played a heck of a game,” Head Coach Ed Servais said. “Give them a lot of credit. They were good in all three phases. Their pitcher was outstanding. He threw a lot of pitches. He threw three pitches, quality pitches for strikes. Obviously, offensively, they were they were on point tonight. You know, drove the baseball, hit several home runs, and then defensively they made the play. So, give them all the credit, you know, they certainly outplayed us tonight.”
Arkansas opened scoring in the top of the second and built its lead across five frames. Omaha native, Cam Kozeal, launched a solo homer out to left field to put the Razorbacks on the scoreboard and doubled to right field the following inning to bring home Ryder Helfrick for a 3-0 lead. Reese Robinett found space to bring Kozeal home, but was left stranded as Creighton starter, freshman Wilson Magers, struck out Justin Thomas Jr. to end the inning.
The Razorbacks kept on pilling runs on runs as SEC Player of the Year and Helfrick each homered twice to build at 1-20 advantage in the top of the seventh.
Creighton’s pitching staff, which entered the night ranked top 15 nationally in ERA, struggled with command throughout. The Bluejays used four arms and issued 12 walks and a pair of hit-by-pitches.
Magers allowed four runs over three innings and took the loss. Sophomore Shea Wendt followed with three innings of relief, allowing four runs and seven walks. Left-handers freshman Anthony Unga and junior Shane Curtin covered the final three innings, with Curtin delivering a scoreless final two innings and registering four strikeouts.
“There’s no way you can be a team like this walking 12 hitters,” Servais said. “You just can’t give up 12 free bases with walks, a couple hit by pitches and expect to even have a chance against a team of this nature.”
Offensively, Creighton managed just three hits in the first six innings. Junior outfielder Teddy Deters reach base three times and scored the Bluejays’ lone run in the seventh on a fielder’s choice groundout. Senior Nolan Sailors, who was a single shy of a cycle in Friday’s win over Kansas, went 0-for-4.
Arkansas’ starter Root went six innings, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out seven. He consistently got ahead in counts and kept Creighton hitters off balance with quick tempo and late-count pitch variation.
“He had four good pitches that he could put wherever he wanted,” Deters said. “I thought the fast ball was really lively, and then his breaking balls and change up, so that was pretty good as well.”
Creighton will now face North Dakota State (21-33) in Sunday’s elimination game, with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. CT. The Bluejays split a pair of home games with the Bison earlier this season. The winner will advance to face Arkansas later Sunday night.