Creighton University
Notre Dame
Creighton and Northern Iowa to Meet for Last Time This Weekend on Baseball Field
4/9/2009 4:15:00 PM | Baseball
Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton is looking to continue its MVC dominance this weekend against Northern Iowa...CU is coming off a 15-0 rout of Nebraska in Lincoln on Tuesday night...Vicente Cafaro had a career night going a perfect 5-5 with five runs scored including three doubles...He and T.J. Roemmich teamed up for all five of the Bluejays' doubles , as Roemmich tied a career-high with two doubles of his own...Jonas Dufek has been the hottest pitcher for the Jays lately, as he struck out a career-high 10 last Sunday against Evansville...Robbie Knight has been the best hitter on the season, hitting a team-high .361 with a .490 on-base percentage that is also tops on the club...Preseason All-MVC selection Darin Ruf leads the team in RBI with 30, and is tied with Roemmich for tops on the squad with six home runs.
Scouting the Panthers
Northern Iowa comes into Omaha for what is likely its last trip ever, barring a College World Series appearance in June...Due to financial issues, it has been declcared that 2009 is the last season for UNI baseball, ending a run of 103 years on the diamond for the Panthers...This season the team is 13-16, and 2-7 in conference...Leading the way for UNI is Travis Bennett who is hitting .372 with a team-high three home runs and 32 RBI...In the bullpen Zach Zirbel has been automatic, appearing in 12 games, spanning 19.2 innings, allowing just two earned runs good for a team-best 0.92 ERA...In the rotation, the team has relied on Friday starter Nick Kirk who has a 3-2 record in seven starts with a 2.88 ERA.
Series History
In what will likely be the last time Creighton and Northern Iowa meet on the diamond, CU comes into the series with a 45-28 all-time edge, including a 5-2 mark in the last seven meetings.
The last time the Panthers came to Omaha was in 2007, when the Jays earned a three-game sweep.
Gaining Some Perspective
Creighton's 15-0 victory over Nebraska on Tuesday night marked some milestones in program history. Below are the notable achievements accomplished the Jays in Lincoln:
First shutout over NU since a 6-0 win on April 4, 1990.
Largest win over the Huskers since a 19-1 game on April 1, 1992.
Largest win against any Big 12 team since the 19-1 win over Nebraska.
Worst defeat Nebraska has suffered in Haymarket Park history.
Most runs scored in a true road game for CU since a 16-0 victory over Indiana State on April 22, 2007.
Most runs scored in back-to-back road wins since scoring 25 total runs against North Dakota State in the doubleheader on May 9, 2007.
Seven Strong
On Tuesday, starter Greg Hellhake went just 1.0 inning, allowing no runs and no hits. It snapped a streak of seven straight games, where Bluejay starters went at least 5.0 innings. That is the longest streak since May 3-11, 2008.
Cool Hand Cafaro
On Tuesday night against Nebraska, Vicente Cafaro had quite a few career-highs in 5-5 night, leading Creighton to a 15-0 victory. Below are his accomplishments:
Career-high five hits, most hits in a game by a CU player since Robbie Knight against Missouri on May 5, 2008.
Career-high three doubles, most by a Jay since Dan Norquist at Sam Houston State on February 11, 2005.
Career-high five runs scored, most since Joe Dunlop did it against Northern Iowa on April 2, 1995, tying a school-record.
Hot Start
Creighton has continued its hot MVC start through nine games. Creighton's 7-2 start in the MVC is its best through nine game since an 8-1 start in 2005.
“K” King
Jonas Dufek was dealing last Sunday against Evansville, en route to striking out 10 Purple Aces. It was the most strikeouts by a Bluejay since May 26, 2007 when Pat Venditte accomplished the feat.
Dufek has dominated of late. In his last six appearances, spanning four starts, he has an ERA of 2.43 in 29.2 innings. He has gone 2-2 during that time, striking out 21 and walking five.
Surviving the Long Ball
Last weekend against Evansville, Creighton surrendered two home runs for the fourth and fifth times this season. It was the first time Creighton has won when surrendering 2+ long balls, as the team is now 2-3 when doing so.
Saving the Day
After his teammates ran into trouble last Friday, Jack VanLeur came on in the seventh inning to pitch the final 2.1 innings for his first career save. He allowed one run on two hits to preserve the 7-4 win and pick up his first save in 35 career appearances.
Staying Alive
Robbie Knight's 16-game hitting streak came to an end Tuesday against Nebraska. Overall during his streak he was 24-65 (.369), good for second on the team during that time.
Leading the Way
The Creighton bullpen has gotten alot of work through the first half of the season. Carrying the bulk of the load has been pitchers Jack VanLeur and Bob Lackovic. The two pitchers are tops in the nation in terms of appearances as VanLeur's 21 is the most in the NCAA, while Lackovic's 20 appearances ranks second according to boydsworld.com.
Breakout Batter
Since hitting his first career home run on March 7 against Albany, Carson Vitale has been the team's hottest hitter going 24-57 (.421) with three doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI.
Sweeping the Salukis
The sweep of Southern Illinois on March 28-29, was a rarity for Creighton. The last time CU managed to capture every game in a series against SIU was April 9-11, 1999, when the Jays managed a four-game sweep. The Bluejays have now won eight of the last 10 against the Salukis.
Shut ?Em Down
Jonas Dufek threw a complete game seven-inning shutout on March 29 against Southern Illinois. He allowed just three hits and a walk, while striking out four. It was the first seven-inning complete game shutout for the Bluejays since Ben Mancuso did it against Indiana State on April 22, 2007.
Season's Best
While Dufek's shutout was the first time the pitching staff had not allowed a run this season, Creighton had another notable performance on Saturday by Jeremy Hauer. Hauer tied his career-high by going 7.2 innings, and struck out a career-best nine hitters. Both marks were season-highs for the Jays.
Terrific Trio
In the series against Southern Illinois, March 28-29, starters Greg Hellhake, Jeremy Hauer and Jonas Dufek all went at least 6.0 innings for the first time in 2009. It was the first time the Jays have had three starters in a row go at least 6.0 innings since May 3-4, 2008, when the team did it against Southern Illinois.
The 20.2 innings the three pitchers combined for is the longest such streak since Zak Moore, Pat Venditte and Marc Lewis combined for 21.2 innings from May 24-26, 2007.
Another Revival
Another pitcher to find success of late, after struggling in the start of the year is reliever Jack VanLeur. Since March 7 against Coastal Carolina, VanLeur has allowed just three runs in 19.1 innings, good for a 1.83 ERA, second on the team during that time. He has struck out 15 and walked six, while allowing just eight hits, as hitters have hit just .194 against him during the span.
Gotta Watch This One
Vicente Cafaro's hidden ball trick in game two of the doubleheader against Southern Illinois, was not the first time he had successfully done it. Cafaro also used the trick as a member of Iowa Western CC, in the NJCAA World Series in 2007.
Overcoming the Odds
CU had to overcome some adversity to win game one of the doubleheader on March 28 against Southern Illinois. The team committed four errors for the first time since June 3, 2007 against Arkansas. It was the first win the Jays have had when committing four errors since April 20, 2007 against Indiana State.
Bucking the Trend
Prior to the doubleheader against Southern Illinois on March 28, Creighton had lost its first nine games that were decided by two runs or less, including an 0-5 record in one-run contests. That trend was discontinued on March 28, as the Jays won both games by a score of 4-3.
CU had also been 0-11 in games it scored five or less before March 28. However, when scoring six+, the team is 11-3.
Identical Twins
Creighton's 4-3 victories in both games of the twin bill on March 28, marked the first time since April 12-13, 2007 that the team has won back-to-back games by identical scores. The last time came against Bradley, win CU won by identical scores of 4-2.
Right At Home in the Valley
March 28 marked the conference home opener for the Bluejays in 2009. CU is on quite a winning streak in its conference home opener, where it hasn't lost since a 2001 loss to Northern Iowa.
Fast Start
The Bluejays got out to quick leads in each of their six games from March 15-25. The team had scored in the first inning in those six straight contests for the first time since it did it from April 22-May 5, 2007.
Six Run Rule
The March 24 series opener against North Dakota proved to be a little more difficult than the Jays had bargained for. The game marked the first time that CU has won when allowing six or more runs. For the season Creighton is 1-9 when allowing six+.
10+ Club
Prior to March 25 against North Dakota, the Creighton offense had collected at least 10 hits in its last seven games, before just getting nine in the series finale against the Fighting Sioux. The last time CU had a team collect 10 or more hits in seven straight games was April 20-May 4, 2007.
Let's Play Six
This season, the outcome of the game has been decided for the most part after six innings. In 30 games played this year, the team leading after six is 24-2. In three ties so far this year after the two-thirds mark, CU is 1-3.
Creighton blew its first lead of the year, when leading after eight innings March 25 against North Dakota. The Jays are now 14-1 in those situations.
Beware the 25th of March
March 25 has been a productive day for Darin Ruf the last two years. After homering twice on the day last year against South Dakota State, he hit a home run in the first inning on Wednesday against North Dakota to give him three home runs in the last two years on March 25.
Loving Nature
On March 22 against Indiana State, the Bluejays had their 12-game winning streak against the Sycamores snapped. Even with the loss, Creighton has won 18 of the last 20 meetings between the two schools, and has not lost at home against ISU since May 4, 2002.
Streak Snapper
After starting 0-22 through the first six games of the season, Vicente Cafaro was on a 14-game hitting streak, a current team-high, before going 0-4 March 24 against North Dakota. During the streak Cafaro was 23-55 (.418).
Streak Snapper Part II
March 24 snapped another streak for the Bluejays as reliever Matt Patterson surrendered his first earned run of the season. He began the season throwing 16.1 scoreless innings.
Lacking Nothing
In the series opener against Indiana State on March 20, Bob Lackovic had a career-performance in shutting down the Sycamores to preserve the 9-4 win. He threw a career-high 3.1 innings, including a career-best four strikeouts, as he picked up his first win of the season.
Valley Openers
Creighton was able to snap its three-game losing streak in conference openers, March 20 at Indiana State as the team won 7-3.
This year marked the seventh straight season that CU has opened its conference schedule on the road. The last time the Jays were at home to open MVC play was March 22, 2002 against Illinois State.
The matchup with the Sycamores was the first time since 1999 that the two teams have met to open the conference season for the Jays. In that span, CU has played Illinois State three times, Missouri State twice Wichita State once, Northern Iowa once, Bradley once and Evansville once to open the conference schedule. The only team Creighton has not opened MVC play with in that time is Southern Illinois, as the two teams last did it in 1998.
Long Ball
As a team in the series finale against South Dakota State on March 15, Creighton launched four home runs en route to its 12-3 victory. That total is the most hit by the Bluejays since April 22, 2007, when the team hit five against Indiana State.
Going Going Gone
On March 15 in the second game of the double header against South Dakota State, right fielder T.J. Roemmich hit two home runs. For the season he has six home runs and 18 RBI, both career-highs.
Prior to the game, the last Bluejay to hit two home runs in a game was Robbie Knight, who hit two against Missouri on May 5, 2008.
Milestone Marker
On March 14 against South Dakota State, head coach Ed Servais reached the 200 wins mark during his time at Creighton. Over his first six seasons at the helm of CU, Servais is 211-114.
Home Sweet Home
The series on March 14-15 against South Dakota State marked the home opener for Creighton after spending its first 14 games on the road. Among the places the Bluejays traveled to over the first 14 games are Texas, Arizona, Kansas, South Carolina and North Carolina.
The Bluejays extended their home opener winning streak to eight games with their 8-2 win over South Dakota State. The group has not lost its first home game of the season since a 2001 defeat to Northern Iowa, 5-3. Under head coach Ed Servais the team is 5-0.
Developing a Complex
Last season at the CU Sports Complex, CU was 18-1. The only loss of the season came in the team's last regular season game, against Louisiana-Monroe.
This season the team has already surpassed its loss total at the site, going 6-2 in its first eight games.
Great Defense
The 8-2 win over South Dakota State on March 14 marked the third time in four games, Creighton had held the opposition to two runs or less. The last time that happened was April 26-May 3, 2008, when Creighton allowed just two runs in three games combined.
He's a Saturday Guy
Saturdays for shortstop Elliot Soto have produced career-high results. On March 7, against Albany, Soto had a career-high four hits, going 4-6 with three runs scored. On Saturday, March 14 against South Dakota State, he tied his career-high going 4-5 with two runs scored.
Offensive Offense
In the last two outings of its spring trip, Creighton scored a combined two runs, after being shutout 1-0 to Coastal Carolina and losing 6-2 to UNC-Wilmington. It is the lowest output in back-to-back games for the Jays since April 6-7, 2007 against Wichita State when the team lost 2-1 and 7-1.
Leader in the Clubhouse
Senior Darin Ruf needed just 13 putouts March 14 to become the all-time leader in CU history. He picked up those 13, moved into the lead. Ruf, who now has 1,955 career putouts, was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2007, for his defensive play at first base.
Career Performance
Greg Hellhake pitched the best game of his career thus far March 14 against South Dakota State. He went a Bluejay career-high seven innings, allowing just two runs on five hits. He struck out two and walked just two.
Career Performance II
Jonas Dufek pitched the best game of his career thus far on March 10 against No. 14 Coastal Carolina. He went a Bluejay season-high 7.1 innings, allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out four and walked just two.
All Conference Performance
T.J. Roemmich was named MVC Player of the Week on March 9, for his 9-20 performance during the week of March 2-8. His .450 average was a team-high as well as his three home runs, which all occurred in the last three games of the week.
Stranded
This season the Creighton offense has struggled at times from a lack of run production, but not from a lack of opportunities. On the season the Bluejays have had 533 total base runners compared to their opponents having just 411 total base runners.
Creighton has had 185 of its 533 runners score for a 34.71 %.
Its opponents have had 140 of its 411 runners score for a 34.06 %.
Lucky Day
Dan Blair's lucky day is apparently March 8. Before the game against IPFW, he had not had a hit since March 8, 2008. In the game on March 8, of this year he had his first career double.
Freshmen Fire
Creighton has gotten some help in its bullpen from freshmen Brandon Koenigstein and Otto Roberts. The two have combined to strikeout 23 hitters in 22.0 innings of work.
Eight Ball
Through the team's first eight games, only T.J. Roemmich had a hit in every game. During the streak he went 11-33 (.333), which was good for third on the team.
Can We Do This Annually?
On June, 2, 2007 Creighton beat Albany 21-11 in the teams' inaugural matchup at the NCAA Regional held at Fayetteville, Ark.
On March 7, in the schools' second-ever matchup, CU broke out of an early season slump, scoring 20 runs.
In the two teams' meetings, the Jays own a 41-16 advantage.
Not a Good First Impression
The Bluejays finally broke their six-game losing streak on March 1 against Notre Dame. It is the first time in Creighton's recorded history that it started 0-6.
Creighton's six-game losing streak was not something the program is used to. The streak was the longest since a 2003 stretch saw the team lose six straight contests from April 18-April 25.
Good Offensive Display
After not having a big offensive display in almost a year, on March 1 against Notre Dame Creighton knocked out 16 hits, en route to a 6-3 victory. Those 16 hits were the most by the team since March 16, 2008 against Chicago State. Creighton has since had three 17+ hit performances in the last month. (20 vs. Albany on 3/7, 17 vs. South Dakota State on 3/15 and 18 vs. North Dakota on 3/24)
Breaking the Luck of the Irish
The March 1 win against Notre Dame snapped an eight-game losing streak for Creighton against the Fighting Irish. Prior to Sunday's game, Creighton had not beaten Notre Dame since March 13, 1983.
No Rest On Sundays
Robbie Knight has been on a tear in the Bluejays' Sunday games thus far. In seven games, Knight has batted a team-high .516 (16-31) with two doubles and six RBI to go along with nine runs scored.
Raging Bull
Those that have watched Bluejay closer Kirk Clark warm up in the bullpen, have most likely noticed his mannerisms of pacing back and forth just before being called in.
In the ninth inning on March 1 against Notre Dame, Clark got the chance to close the door on the Irish as he picked up his first career save. He retired the side in order, striking out two of the three hitters he faced.
In 14 appearances this year, opponents are only hitting .219 against him.
That's Efficient
March 1 against Notre Dame Greg Hellhake was able to keep the Bluejays out of serious trouble through the first four innings, without having much work for himself. Hellhake needed just 33 pitches through the first four innings, as he faced just one above the minimum number of batters.
This is “Hau-er” we do it
On Feb. 27 Jeremy Hauer had a very impressive start against Dayton. He threw 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just five hits while also striking out five. It was his best start since May 3, 2008 against Missouri State when he threw 7.2 scoreless innings.
His five strikeouts were his most since March 15, 2008 against Chicago State when he had eight punchouts.
Beware of the Brooms
Creighton is not used to suffering a four-game sweep. Prior to the season opening series against Sam Houston State, Feb. 20-22, the last time Creighton was swept during a four-game series was May 5-6, 2001 in back-to-back doubleheaders against Missouri State.
Extra Extra!
Through the first four games this year, Creighton played in two extra-inning games. Last season it took 28 games before CU was involved in two extra-inning games. The Bluejays were 5-1 in extra-inning affairs in 2008. This year Creighton is 1-2 in extra frames, getting its first win on Sunday against Evansville.
Close Call
The first five of Creighton's losses this year were by two runs or less. It is the first time since April, 11-17, 2007 that five games in a row have been decided by two runs or less.
Prior to last weekend, Creighton had not had five straight losses been decided by two runs or less since 2006,
Below is the last time Creighton had five straight losses decided by two runs or less
Date Opponent Score (Inn.)
4/14/06 at Southern Illinois 2-3 (10)
4/11/06 Kansas State 4-5
4/9/06 Illinois State 13-14
4/4/06 Nebraska 4-6
4/2/06 Wichita State 1-3 (8)
Working on Fundamentals
The opening weekend against Sam Houston State (Feb. 20-22) saw all four games decided by two runs or less, making the execution of fundamentals crucial in deciding the outcomes. On the weekend Bluejay base runners were picked off three times. All of last season CU had just six runners picked off.
Fielding fundamentals also came into play as CU saw it's error total rise in three straight games (0-1-2-3) for the first time since a four game stretch from April 8-15, 2005, when the team also had a streak of (0-1-2-3).
Useless Fact of the Season
Creighton's 8-6 loss on Feb. 20 was somewhat of a rarity for those who have watched the team over the years. Coming into the game, the Bluejays had not lost a game by the score of 8-6 since April 29, 1995 against Bradley, a streak spanning 757 games.
The 7-5 loss on Feb. 21 was a bit more recent as the team last loss by that score on May 12, 2002 against Stetson, a streak spanning 360 games.
Career Series
Sophomore Jimmy Swift had a career series against Sam Houston State (Feb. 20-22). On Feb. 20 night he provided CU with its first two runs of the season, courtesy of a home run in the second inning. It was the first home run of his career. The next day he continued his hot hitting as he hit a double down the left field line to bring in a run. It was the first double of his career, and he finished with four RBI on the weekend, surpassing his previous career season-high of two.
Career Game
Darin Ruf tied a couple of career-highs in the second game of the doubleheader on Feb. 21 against the Bearkats. He tied his previous career bests of hits in a game as well as RBI, as he went 4-4 with five RBI. He also hit the fifth triple of his career.
Good Luck Streak Snapped
Coming into the season opener on Feb. 20, Creighton had been 12-1 in games that pitcher Jeremy Hauer started, including eight straight wins to close the season in 2008. Unfortunately the streak was snapped as Hauer received the loss, going 4.0 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits.
Congrats to Coach Smith
Last week it was announced that Creighton pitching coach Rob Smith was named one of two recipients for 2008 NCAA Teaching Pro Award. The other was Bob Shepherd of North Florida
Smith is one of two CU coaches to be honored for their work last season. In December head coach Ed Servais was tabbed as one of two NCAA FieldTurf Coach of the Year recipients. The other was the College World Series champion Mike Batesole of Fresno State.
No Runs For You
Since Rob Smith took over as pitching coach in 2007, Creighton has finished 14th in ERA in each of the last two seasons. Coming into 2009, the team's overall ERA since Smith took over was 3.71, good for 11th in the nation.
Team ERA
1. Wichita State 3.22
2. North Carolina 3.23
3. Virginia 3.31
4. Rice 3.391
5. Long Beach 3.392
6. San Diego 3.394
7. UC Irvine 3.51
8. Charlotte 3.63
9. Louisville 3.69
10. St. John's 3.713
11. CREIGHTON 3.715
Defense Wins Championships
Since 2007, Creighton owns the second-best fielding percentage in the NCAA. The Bluejays are one of just two schools to finish in the top-10 in fielding percentage in each of the last two years (TCU), and are one of just three schools to finish in the top-15 each of the last two years (TCU and Oregon State). Below are the top fielding percentages since 2007.
Team Fielding Pct.
1. Oregon State - .97559367
2. CREIGHTON - .9754241
3. South Carolina - .97526579
4. TCU - .97506535
Look Out!
Junior Robbie Knight has not been one to be afraid of opposing pitchers coming inside. Knight owns the school record for most hit by pitches during a career with 66. In 2007 he set the NCAA single-season record after being beaned 35 times. He is currently eighth on the NCAA all-time hit by pitch leaderboard.
NCAA Record Book, Career HBP's
Player, Team Years G HBP
Brett Lilley, Notre Dame 2005-08 231 109
Tony Hurtado, San Francico 1997-00 221 92
Cody Rizzo, Notre Dame 2003-06 233 84
Gabe Somarriba, Fla. Atlantic 1999-02 226 81
Mark Muscenti, Cincinnati 2003-06 211 76
Jeff Ontiveros, Texas 1999-02 258 74
Clay Schwartz, Milwaukee 1994-97 180 68
Robbie Knight, Creighton 2007-Pr. 147 66
