Baseball
Wordekemper, Eric
Eric Wordekemper
- Title:
- Assistant Coach (Pitching Coach)
Eric Wordekemper took over as the Bluejays’ pitching coach in the fall of 2016 after spending three seasons as a volunteer and undergraduate assistant. He spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons as an undergraduate assistant coach at Creighton, completing his degree in Integrated Leadership Studies in the spring of 2015. In 2016 he served as the
volunteer assistant.
During his first three seasons in complete control of the Creighton pitchers, Wordekemper has placed his stamp on the program by developing arms.
Taking over a team that issued 186 walks and 338 strikeouts over 483 innings in 2016, Wordekemper helped the Creighton staff lower that number to 150 walks and 399 strikeouts in 2017. Wordekemper’s impact helped the Creighton squad claim the 2017 BIG EAST regular season title and three Bluejay pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft (Rollie Lacy, Keith Rogalla and David Gerber).
The following year, Wordekemper helped Ryan Tapani go from a 7.01 ERA in 25.2 innings as a junior (2017) to an All-America level of 10-1 with a 2.38 ERA in 94.2 innings during 2018. Tapani was selected in the 21st round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.
Last season Creighton pitchers recorded 426 strikeouts and allowed just 214 walks in 481 innings, as the Bluejays reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012. Just as he did with Tapani in 2018, Wordekemper brought Evan Johnson from a 6.08 ERA in 13.1 innings (2018) to a 9-2 mark in 2019 with a 3.26 ERA in 77.1 innings. Johnson went on to sign a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners
“The game has continued to evolve since I was a student-athlete. Pitching has become more impactful and being in the dugout with coach Servais ignited a desire to pass on the knowledge I have to young men,” said Wordekemper.
An 11-year veteran in pro ball, Wordekemper was drafted by the New York Yankees following his junior season at Creighton in 2005. He had stints at all levels for the New York Yankees over the course of seven seasons reaching as high as the AAA level for the Yankees in 2006 (Columbus) as well as 2009-11 (Scranton Wilkes-Barre). Wordekemper received the Pitcher of the Year Award for the Florida State League in 2007, amassing a 0.57 ERA. He played a season in Taiwan, three stints in Mexico, winter ball in Venezuela, and two stints at the Independent level.
During his three seasons as a Bluejay (2003-05), Wordekemper posted a combined 14-8 record over 173.1 innings. His best season came in 2005 as he delivered a flawless 6-0 record in 43.1 innings.
Eric and his wife, Natalie, were married during the summer of 2017. The couple lives in Omaha and welcomed their first child, Tess, in February of 2019.
volunteer assistant.
During his first three seasons in complete control of the Creighton pitchers, Wordekemper has placed his stamp on the program by developing arms.
Taking over a team that issued 186 walks and 338 strikeouts over 483 innings in 2016, Wordekemper helped the Creighton staff lower that number to 150 walks and 399 strikeouts in 2017. Wordekemper’s impact helped the Creighton squad claim the 2017 BIG EAST regular season title and three Bluejay pitchers were selected in the MLB Draft (Rollie Lacy, Keith Rogalla and David Gerber).
The following year, Wordekemper helped Ryan Tapani go from a 7.01 ERA in 25.2 innings as a junior (2017) to an All-America level of 10-1 with a 2.38 ERA in 94.2 innings during 2018. Tapani was selected in the 21st round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals.
Last season Creighton pitchers recorded 426 strikeouts and allowed just 214 walks in 481 innings, as the Bluejays reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012. Just as he did with Tapani in 2018, Wordekemper brought Evan Johnson from a 6.08 ERA in 13.1 innings (2018) to a 9-2 mark in 2019 with a 3.26 ERA in 77.1 innings. Johnson went on to sign a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners
“The game has continued to evolve since I was a student-athlete. Pitching has become more impactful and being in the dugout with coach Servais ignited a desire to pass on the knowledge I have to young men,” said Wordekemper.
An 11-year veteran in pro ball, Wordekemper was drafted by the New York Yankees following his junior season at Creighton in 2005. He had stints at all levels for the New York Yankees over the course of seven seasons reaching as high as the AAA level for the Yankees in 2006 (Columbus) as well as 2009-11 (Scranton Wilkes-Barre). Wordekemper received the Pitcher of the Year Award for the Florida State League in 2007, amassing a 0.57 ERA. He played a season in Taiwan, three stints in Mexico, winter ball in Venezuela, and two stints at the Independent level.
During his three seasons as a Bluejay (2003-05), Wordekemper posted a combined 14-8 record over 173.1 innings. His best season came in 2005 as he delivered a flawless 6-0 record in 43.1 innings.
Eric and his wife, Natalie, were married during the summer of 2017. The couple lives in Omaha and welcomed their first child, Tess, in February of 2019.
2013 Creighton Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Dan Smith
Friday, October 30
Jim Hendry & Alan Benes (4/11/11)
Friday, October 30
CREIGHTON BASEBALL
Thursday, October 15
Ambidextrous Pitcher
Thursday, October 15
