Creighton University
Evansville
Baseball Wins Series Opener Against Evansville, 7-4
4/3/2009 9:45:00 PM | Baseball
OMAHA, Neb. - The Creighton baseball team improved to 6-1 in MVC play as it defeated Evansville, 7-4.
In the top of the first Robbie Knight led off the game with a hit-by-pitch. He advanced to third on a hit-and-run by Elliot Soto who singled to right. Ruf then hit a double over Purple Ace third baseman Cody Fick's head, scoring Knight. Vicente Cafaro then drove in Soto on a ground out to second, giving the Jays a 2-0 lead after one.
Creighton was back at it in the top of the second as Carson Vitale and Nick Becker hit back-to-back singles to put runners at first and third with no outs. Knight then hit a rocket to third that Fick was able to knock down and throw out Becker at first, but not before Vitale scored from third.
In the third inning, the Purple Aces put a two-out rally together, thanks to a couple of singles and a walk to Fick, loading the bases. Fortunately for the Jays, Greg Hellhake got Greg Wallace to line to center to end the rally, and keep it at 3-0 Jays.
Vitale and Becker again made runners on first and second with no out, in the top of the fourth. Knight followed with a single to center to load the bases, and give Knight a 14-game hitting streak. Soto grounded into a double play that brought home Vitale.
The Jays added insurance in the top of the seventh as reigning MVC Player of the Week, Jimmy Swift hit a double down the left field line to plate Ruf and Cafaro from first and second and give CU a 6-0 lead.
Evansville put a rally together in the seventh as Matt Patterson walked a man and then gave up a two-run home run to Alex Acheson. Bob Lackovic then came in and got two outs, but also hit two batters and walked a man, to make it a 6-3 game.
Creighton put the game away in the top of the ninth as T.J. Roemmich drew a walk to load the bases with one out. Swift then hit a ground ball to Fick who threw wide to home, allowing Soto to score.
Evansville crept a tad closer in the bottom of the ninth as Fick led off the inning with a home run.
Hellhake got the win (2-1) going 5.0 innings without allowing a run. He allowed three hits and struck out four while walking four.
The Bluejays and Purple Aces will get together again on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., from Braun Stadium.
NOTES: Knight's hit-by-pitch in the first inning was the 64th of his career...He is currently ninth on the NCAA all-time leaderboard in that category...Vitale tied a career-high with three hits...Prior to Vitale striking out in the eighth, he had reached base in seven consecutive plate appearances, including six hits...Kirk Clark made his first appearance since March 25 against North Dakota...Jack VanLeur earned his first career save, going 2.1 innings, allowing just one run on two hits...Ruf tied his career-high with three strikeouts.
