Friday, May 11
Philadelphia, Pa.
2:00 pm
Creighton University
at
Villanova
Photo by: Joe Willman
Bluejays Face Villanova In Final BIG EAST Series
5/10/2018 5:32:00 PM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- Looking to close out its BIG EAST season on a high note, the Creighton Baseball team headed to Pennsylvania to face Villanova this weekend.
Download the complete preview (PDF).
Scouting the Bluejays (2018: 28-15, 5-9 BIG EAST)
Coming off two midweek victories over Nebraska and Nebraska-Omaha, the Bluejays turn their attention to a make or break series with Villanova this weekend.
Creighton needs three victories over the Wildcats and some help to secure a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament in two weeks.
The Bluejays enter the weekend with their three starters set as Tapani, Ragan and Church each pitched well last weekend against Seton Hall.
The offense, meanwhile, delivered 10 runs or more for the tenth time in 2018 as the
Bluejays bested the Mavericks 10-6 on Wednesday.
Bluejays vs. Villanova
Creighton leads the series with the Villanova, 12-1. Head coach Ed Servais is 11-1 against the Wildcats.
A game-by-game account of the Bluejays' battles with the Wildcats under Servais is below. The Bluejays have won the last 10 games, including in Plymouth Meeting.
Villanova (11-1)
   4/17/14   L   3-6
   4/18/14   W   12-6
   4/19/14   W   4-0
   5/14/15   W   13-5
   5/15/15   W   4-2
   5/16/15   W   4-3
   4/29/16   W   9-3
   4/30/16   W   10-4
   4/30/16   W   6-5
   4/21/17   W   6-5
   4/22/17   W   11-2
   4/23/17   W   2-1
Scouting the Wildcats (2018: 8-33, 0-12 BIG EAST)
After opening the season, the Wildcats have dropped 33 of 37 games. Despite being 0-12 in BIG EAST play Villanova has been highlight competitive. The Wildcats are 0-4 in one-run games in conference.
Villanova has decided to juggle its weekend rotation as Ryan Doty is not slated to start during the weekend. Doty has started 11 games this season, with this being the first weekend he would miss.
As a team the Wildcats bring a 4.75 team ERA into the weekend, as well as a team batting average of .226. Villanova's leading hitter is Ryan Toohers (.286).
Bluejays Collect First Three-Game Sweep of Huskers
Creighton's 5-4 win over Nebraska on May 8, gave the Bluejays its first three-game of the Huskers in program history.
The Bluejays won the first three of four games in one season in 1989, 1990 and 1993, but lost the series finale each time.
Creighton swept the 1992 season from Nebraska, but only two games were played. Â
What the Bluejays Need
There are several scenarios that could lead to the Bluejays earning a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament.
In five games against Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska-Omaha this spring, Creighton has scored in the first inning each game and did not trail at any point in those 45 innings.
Bluejays Assures Nebraska is a BLUE STATE
With five wins and no losses against Nebraska and Nebraska-Omaha, Creighton is assured of claiming the season series with its intra-state rivals.
The Bluejays have one game remaining this season against UNO to complete a sweep of the State on Tuesday, May 17.
Hull, Evans and Johnson Step Forward for Creighton
Facing midweek games against Nebraska and UNO, the Bluejays desperately needed fresh arms to step forward. Juniors Denson Hull, Evan Johnson and freshman Ian Evans answered the call.
The trio combined for 12 innings, allowing five runs on 12 hits. The most important stat, however, may have been a combined three walks and nine strikeouts.
Ortega Unsung Hero Against Huskers
Appearing in just 12 games entering May, including a mere six at-bats, sophomore Nick Ortega remained ready. Rather than pout or mope, the Bluejay legacy (his father Eddie Ortega was also a Bluejay) remained ready.
On Tuesday, May 8 that preparation showed as Ortega was sent to left field as a defensive replacement to start the bottom of the eighth inning. When Nick went into the game Creighton led 5-2, but Nebraska got a walk, a single and a double to make it 5-3 with no outs and two men in scoring position.
Head coach Ed Servais brought in reliever Bobby Kametas. The first batter Kametas faced lined a ball towards the left-center field gap. With virtually every other outfielder on the Creighton roster the ball would have tied the game, but not Ortega. The Florida native raced toward the gap to glove the first out and while the runner at third scored, Ortega's throw kept Nebraska's Jesse Wilkening at second.
Kametas closed the eighth without further incident, but needed Ortega to stab another potential game-tying liner in the ninth to lift Creighton to a 5-4 win and the first three-game sweep of Nebraska in school history.
When the Big Boys Deliver, Creighton Wins
The Bluejays 3-4 hitters throughout the vast majority of games this season have been sophomore Will Robertson and junior Mike
Emodi.
Creighton is 10-0 this year and 14-0 all-time when Emodi & Robertson each have an RBI in the same game.
Download the complete preview (PDF).
Creighton at Villanova
@ Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth
May 11 @ 2:00 pm
May 12 @ 12:00 pm
May 13 @ 12:00 pm
TV: None
Radio: None
Online Stream: http://www.villanova.com/collegesportslive/?media=570885 ($)
Stats: http://www.villanova.com/sports/m-basebl/sched/nova-m-basebl-sched.html
Once on the schedule page, click the GameTracker link
Probable Pitching Matchups (2018 Stats)
Friday   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
CU - Ryan Tapani - RHPÂ Â Â 2.51Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 79.0Â Â Â 72Â Â Â 24Â Â Â 22Â Â Â 23Â Â Â 75
VU - Jonathan Rosero - RHPÂ Â Â 5.36Â Â Â 1-6Â Â Â 14Â Â Â 9Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 45.1Â Â Â 46Â Â Â 34Â Â Â 27Â Â Â 26Â Â Â 31
Saturday   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
CU - Mitch Ragan - RHPÂ Â Â 4.33Â Â Â 4-4Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 62.1Â Â Â 63Â Â Â 31Â Â Â 30Â Â Â 33Â Â Â 47
VU - Jimmy Kingsbury - RHPÂ Â Â 5.71Â Â Â 0-7Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 9Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 52.0Â Â Â 66Â Â Â 40Â Â Â 33Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 39
Sunday   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
CU - Preston Church - LHPÂ Â Â 4.62Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 48.2Â Â Â 44Â Â Â 29Â Â Â 25Â Â Â 22Â Â Â 38
VU - Tyler Arella - LHPÂ Â Â 6.09Â Â Â 2-2Â Â Â 16Â Â Â 4Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 34.0Â Â Â 42Â Â Â 26Â Â Â 23Â Â Â 14Â Â Â 33
Â
@ Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth
May 11 @ 2:00 pm
May 12 @ 12:00 pm
May 13 @ 12:00 pm
TV: None
Radio: None
Online Stream: http://www.villanova.com/collegesportslive/?media=570885 ($)
Stats: http://www.villanova.com/sports/m-basebl/sched/nova-m-basebl-sched.html
Once on the schedule page, click the GameTracker link
Probable Pitching Matchups (2018 Stats)
Friday   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
CU - Ryan Tapani - RHPÂ Â Â 2.51Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 79.0Â Â Â 72Â Â Â 24Â Â Â 22Â Â Â 23Â Â Â 75
VU - Jonathan Rosero - RHPÂ Â Â 5.36Â Â Â 1-6Â Â Â 14Â Â Â 9Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 45.1Â Â Â 46Â Â Â 34Â Â Â 27Â Â Â 26Â Â Â 31
Saturday   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
CU - Mitch Ragan - RHPÂ Â Â 4.33Â Â Â 4-4Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 62.1Â Â Â 63Â Â Â 31Â Â Â 30Â Â Â 33Â Â Â 47
VU - Jimmy Kingsbury - RHPÂ Â Â 5.71Â Â Â 0-7Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 9Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 52.0Â Â Â 66Â Â Â 40Â Â Â 33Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 39
Sunday   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
CU - Preston Church - LHPÂ Â Â 4.62Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 48.2Â Â Â 44Â Â Â 29Â Â Â 25Â Â Â 22Â Â Â 38
VU - Tyler Arella - LHPÂ Â Â 6.09Â Â Â 2-2Â Â Â 16Â Â Â 4Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 34.0Â Â Â 42Â Â Â 26Â Â Â 23Â Â Â 14Â Â Â 33
Â
Scouting the Bluejays (2018: 28-15, 5-9 BIG EAST)
Coming off two midweek victories over Nebraska and Nebraska-Omaha, the Bluejays turn their attention to a make or break series with Villanova this weekend.
Creighton needs three victories over the Wildcats and some help to secure a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament in two weeks.
The Bluejays enter the weekend with their three starters set as Tapani, Ragan and Church each pitched well last weekend against Seton Hall.
The offense, meanwhile, delivered 10 runs or more for the tenth time in 2018 as the
Bluejays bested the Mavericks 10-6 on Wednesday.
Bluejays vs. Villanova
Creighton leads the series with the Villanova, 12-1. Head coach Ed Servais is 11-1 against the Wildcats.
A game-by-game account of the Bluejays' battles with the Wildcats under Servais is below. The Bluejays have won the last 10 games, including in Plymouth Meeting.
Villanova (11-1)
   4/17/14   L   3-6
   4/18/14   W   12-6
   4/19/14   W   4-0
   5/14/15   W   13-5
   5/15/15   W   4-2
   5/16/15   W   4-3
   4/29/16   W   9-3
   4/30/16   W   10-4
   4/30/16   W   6-5
   4/21/17   W   6-5
   4/22/17   W   11-2
   4/23/17   W   2-1
Scouting the Wildcats (2018: 8-33, 0-12 BIG EAST)
After opening the season, the Wildcats have dropped 33 of 37 games. Despite being 0-12 in BIG EAST play Villanova has been highlight competitive. The Wildcats are 0-4 in one-run games in conference.
Villanova has decided to juggle its weekend rotation as Ryan Doty is not slated to start during the weekend. Doty has started 11 games this season, with this being the first weekend he would miss.
As a team the Wildcats bring a 4.75 team ERA into the weekend, as well as a team batting average of .226. Villanova's leading hitter is Ryan Toohers (.286).
Bluejays Collect First Three-Game Sweep of Huskers
Creighton's 5-4 win over Nebraska on May 8, gave the Bluejays its first three-game of the Huskers in program history.
The Bluejays won the first three of four games in one season in 1989, 1990 and 1993, but lost the series finale each time.
Creighton swept the 1992 season from Nebraska, but only two games were played. Â
What the Bluejays Need
There are several scenarios that could lead to the Bluejays earning a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament.
- Step 1: The first and maybe most important task for the Bluejays to earn a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament is for Creighton to take three from Villanova.
- Step 2: Wait for the outcome of the Butler/Georgetown series.
- Step 3: Root for Red Storm and Pirates. St. John's faces Butler in the final weekend, while Georgetown battles Seton Hall.
In five games against Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska-Omaha this spring, Creighton has scored in the first inning each game and did not trail at any point in those 45 innings.
Bluejays Assures Nebraska is a BLUE STATE
With five wins and no losses against Nebraska and Nebraska-Omaha, Creighton is assured of claiming the season series with its intra-state rivals.
The Bluejays have one game remaining this season against UNO to complete a sweep of the State on Tuesday, May 17.
Hull, Evans and Johnson Step Forward for Creighton
Facing midweek games against Nebraska and UNO, the Bluejays desperately needed fresh arms to step forward. Juniors Denson Hull, Evan Johnson and freshman Ian Evans answered the call.
The trio combined for 12 innings, allowing five runs on 12 hits. The most important stat, however, may have been a combined three walks and nine strikeouts.
Ortega Unsung Hero Against Huskers
Appearing in just 12 games entering May, including a mere six at-bats, sophomore Nick Ortega remained ready. Rather than pout or mope, the Bluejay legacy (his father Eddie Ortega was also a Bluejay) remained ready.
On Tuesday, May 8 that preparation showed as Ortega was sent to left field as a defensive replacement to start the bottom of the eighth inning. When Nick went into the game Creighton led 5-2, but Nebraska got a walk, a single and a double to make it 5-3 with no outs and two men in scoring position.
Head coach Ed Servais brought in reliever Bobby Kametas. The first batter Kametas faced lined a ball towards the left-center field gap. With virtually every other outfielder on the Creighton roster the ball would have tied the game, but not Ortega. The Florida native raced toward the gap to glove the first out and while the runner at third scored, Ortega's throw kept Nebraska's Jesse Wilkening at second.
Kametas closed the eighth without further incident, but needed Ortega to stab another potential game-tying liner in the ninth to lift Creighton to a 5-4 win and the first three-game sweep of Nebraska in school history.
When the Big Boys Deliver, Creighton Wins
The Bluejays 3-4 hitters throughout the vast majority of games this season have been sophomore Will Robertson and junior Mike
Emodi.
Creighton is 10-0 this year and 14-0 all-time when Emodi & Robertson each have an RBI in the same game.
Players Mentioned
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LHP
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RHP
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RHP
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OF
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OF
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RHP
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