Creighton University
Canisius
Baseball Drops Final Game in North Carolina
2/20/2011 10:51:00 AM | Baseball
CARY, N.C. - The Creighton baseball team (2-1) finished opening weekend with a loss, dropping the Sunday game 4-1 to Canisius (2-1). The Jays fell behind and couldn't put together enough of a comeback to overcome strong pitching from the Griffs.
The Jays didn't have a baserunner until the bottom of the third inning when freshman Brad McKewon hustled out an infield single, and then advanced to second on a throwing error by the third baseman. But Creighton couldn't manage to get him around.
Hellhake continued to mow through batters, allowing just two baserunners in the first three innings, one reached on an error and the other a single through the right side, just past the outstretched glove of a diving Alex Staehely. Hellhake then struck out the next batter to end the inning.
Creighton had another baserunner in the top of the fourth. With one out, Jimmy Swift picked up Creighton's second hit of the day, a liner back up the middle. Trever Adams then popped up for the second out. Swift stole second, putting himself in scoring position, but Scott Thornburg struck out to end the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Canisius' Jamieson led off the inning with a double down the left field line. After a ground out to Chance Ross at third and another Hellhake strikeout, Jamieson stole third base. But Hellhake again forced a ground ball to Ross to get the Jays out of the fourth, game still tied at 0-0.
The Jays brought up the top of the order in the top of the sixth, and Ross led off with a basehit up the middle, just past the glove of the diving second baseman. Nick Judkins then sacrifice bunted Ross to second, almost legging out the throw. Swift came up with one out, working his count to 3-1 before getting the walk. Adams sent a ball down the right field line that was caught in foul territory, but allowed Ross and Swift each to advance a base. Thornburg then flew out to leave two runners on base.
Hallhake walked the leadoff batter of the bottom of the sixth, lead off batter Will Chomicki, who was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Torralba. Creighton intentionally walked Jamieson, putting runners on first and second base for the four-hole Brian Burton. After loading the count to 3-2, Burton ripped a ball down the third base line, driving in both runners. Creighton brought in Mark Winkelman, who forced two fly balls to right field to end the inning. Hellhake finished with a career high six strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. He picks up his first loss of the season giving up just three hits and two earned runs.
The Jays went three-up, three-down in the top of the seventh before Canisius threatened again. Gruarin led off the inning with a walk and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Gruarin advanced to third on a fly ball by Barone to center. After Chomicki was walked, Creighton brought in Chase Webb to pitch. Webb then struck out Torralba to end the threat. Winkleman finished the game with 1.1 innings pitched and two walks.
Creighton threathened in the top of the eighth, when Judkins started a two out rally, driving his first hit of the day up the middle. Swift was then hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Canisius brought in Ryan Fennell to face Adams, who walked on four straight pitches. Thornburg then stepped in with two outs and the bases loaded, and was also walked in four straight pitches. Staehely stood in next and grounded out to second to end the inning.
The Jays gave up two more runs in the bottom of the eighth and put together a rally of their own in the top of the ninth. Michael Mutcheson came in with one out and drew a walk, but an Erik Mattingly fly-out to left field and Ross fly out to shortstop ended the game.
Creighton finished with five hits on the day with Ross, Judkins, Swift, Thibodeaux and McKewon each getting a hit. Creighton left nine runners stranded on base while Canisius left six and had six hits. Hellhake gets the loss for the Jays while Cortright earns the win.
The Jays travel to Lawrence, Kan., to take on the Jayhawks on Tuesday, February 22. Live stats will be available on www.gocreighton.com.
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