Baseball Looks to Keep Winning Ways Alive on the Road this Week
3/15/2011 11:21:00 AM | Baseball
Creighton (12-3, 0-0)
@ Air Force (6-9, 0-0) • March 16 • 12:00 p.m. (DH)
vs. Valparaiso (1-15, 0-0) • March 19 • 1:00 p.m.
@ SIU Edwardsville (4-11, 0-0) • March 19 • 4:00 p.m.
ERA W-L App GS SV IP H R ER BB SO
Creighton
Wed. - Greg Hellhake, LHP 5.65 2-1 4 4 0 14.1 10 9 9 9 9
Wed. - Brandon Koenigstein, RHP 5.91 0-0 4 2 0 10.2 16 11 7 3 7
Sat. - Ty Blach, LHP 3.00 3-0 3 3 0 18.0 17 6 6 6 12
Sat. - Jonas Dufek, RHP 2.00 2-0 3 3 0 18.0 15 6 4 7 23
Air Force
Wed. - Kincaid Koehler, LHP 7.36 0-0 4 0 0 3.2 4 3 3 2 1
Wed. - Cameron White, RHP 24.75 0-0 3 0 0 4.0 15 12 11 2 5
Last Time Out
The Jays bounced back after two losses to sweep South Dakota State, outscoring the Jackrabbits 25-3 on the weekend. Strong pitching performances followed closely by a solid and aggressive mental approach at the plate helped the Jays capture the series sweep.
Creighton 6, SDSU 0 - In one of his best outings this season, Ty Blach went 7.0 innings, striking out a career high eight in the combined shutout. Seven hits by eight and nine hole hitters Chance Ross and Joey Bowens led the Jays offensively. The Jays scored two in the bottom of the second, added a single run in both the fifth and sixth before topping off the scoring with two in the bottom of the seventh.
Creighton 6, SDSU 3 - In what proved to be a back and forth game, the Creighton baseball team put together a three run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning to get the 6-3 win over SDSU. The Jays finished the day with 10 hits, with Trever Adams and Nick Judkins each finishing the day 3-for-4 from the dish. Reese McGraw picked up the win for the Jays in the Saturday afternoon game.
Creighton 13, SDSU 0 - In the second shutout of the weekend, Creighton put together a season high 16 hits, led by Jimmy Swift, Alex Staehely and Chance Ross with three hits a piece, while Swift and Trever Adams each scored four runs in the game. Pitching was a strong point in the win, with the Jays using seven different pichers. Greg Hellhake picked up the win,
Scouting Creighton
The Jays have started off the 2011 season with one of the best starts in Bluejay history, certainly the best under Ed Servais, rolling to a 9-3 start, highlighted by a four game sweep over New Mexico (2010 NCAA Tournament participant). The most recent start that was better was in 1999, when the team went 15-1 to open the season, including a 12 game win streak. Creighton was picked to finish fifth in the MVC this season, returning 20 players and just four starters from the team that went 27-25 last season. Creighton is being led offensively early this season by Alex Staehely and Trever Adams. Staehely has exploded in the early games, with a triple and game winning RBI in the 4-3 win over Kansas and a triple and three doubles over the weekend. Staehely is still swinging a hot bat, leadign the team with a .367 batting average and a hit in 10 of the 12 games. Adams has improved his batting average almost .300 points after a slow start. He leads the team in RBI (11), home runs (2) and is tied for the lead with two triples. Overall, the team is hitting .255 with 66 runs on 104 hits and 21 doubles. The Jays have had solid pitching performances on the mound already this season. Jonas Dufek and Greg Hellhake set career strikeout records in their first outings, with 11 and six, respectively while Ty Blahc fanned a career high of eight against South Dakota State University (3/11/11). Jack VanLeur has been solid as a middle reliever, holding opponents to just a .105 average against him, giving up just one earned run on the seasn in 13.2 innings pitched. The pitching staff has a combined 3.50 ERA and is holding opponents to a .244 batting average against.
Scouting the Falcons
The Air Force Falcons have gotten out to a good start, behind the pitching of Sean Carley, who was named the Mountain West pitcher of the week in the last week. The team is 6-9 overall, and the game on Wednesday will be the first at home for the team this season. The Falcons are hitting .276 as an offense, led by NathanCarter and Patrick Lobo, who each have a .389 batting average. Carter and Blair Roberts have a team high 21 hits, while Alex Bast and Parker Mayo have hit two home runs each (the team has eight). The Falcons are quick on the bases, having stole 19 of 26 this season, led by Garrett Custons who is a perfect seven of seven. The pitching staff has been the most improved for the team this season, with Evan Abrecht leading in the wins category with four. Carley has a 2.25 ERA and threw a complete game, two hit shutout, striking out 12 batters against Bowling Green. Overall, the Falcons have a 5.05 ERA and hold opponents to a .314 batting average. The team is currently on a two game losing skid.
Last Time Out
The Falcons fell 5-1 to Bucknell in their last outing, as poor offensive struggles proved to be the downfall. The team had just eight hits and didn't get on the scoreboard until the ninth inning. Three USAFA players had two hits a piece, with Nathan Carter, Garrett Custons and Jon McMahon each picking up multiples on the day.
Scouting the Crusaders
Valparaiso has struggled in the early goings this season, including losing a four game series at UNLV last weekend. The team is hitting .219 this season, with just three players (Ben Olejniczak, Kyle Gaedele and Steven Scoby) hitting over .300. The team has hit two homeruns and 23 doubles, part of 116 total hits on the season, with Gaedele leading the way with 20 hits. The team does show speed, as they have safely stolen 26 of 30 bases this season, with Gaedele also leading the way with nine of 10. The defense has committed 31 errors on the season, puttign together a .945 fielding percentage. On the mound, Tyler Deetjen has the only win of the season, starting in four games this season. Damon McCormick leads the staff with 24.2 innings pitched. A combined 6.84 ERA has proven rough for the team, giving up 128 runs and giving opponents a .300 batting average against the team.
Last Time Out
The Crusaders took on UNLV, falling 6-5 after giving up an unearned run in the bottom of the 11th inning. The Crusaders fell early, but got on the board in the third and scored three runs taking the lead in the third inning. Valpo added to its lead in the fourth, but then allowed the UNLV Rebels to come back into the game in the seventh, and tie it in the eighth, with three runs on two home runs. Two hitters for Valpo had two hits a piece, Robbie Robinson and Michael Morman each picking up two of the eight total hits the team had.
Scouting the Cougars
The SIU Edwardsville Cougars have put together a stretch of three wins, after starting the season just 1-11. The team is hitting .267 from the plate, with 79 runs scored on 138 ttal hits. The team has four home runs, led by Joel Greatting with two. Devin Caldwell has a .357 average for the team, one of just three players with an average above .300. The pitching staff has a 7.47 ERA, led by Spencer Patton who has given up just four earned runs in 21.2 innings of work, for a 1.66 ERA. Travis Felax has the only perfect record for the team, sitting at 1-0 with three starts and four appearances. On defense, the Cougars have committed 24 fielding errors, for a team fielding percentage of .956. No single Cougar has over five errors, with Chase Green and James Vazquez each committing four.
Last Time Out
The Cougars swept a three-game series with Chicago State. The team finished with a 7-4 win on Sunday at Edwardsville High School. The team improved to 4-11 on the season. The team pitched well out of the gate, padding with some offensive runs but not giving anything up. The team scored in the third and the fifth, followed by adding two more in the eighth. The team led 7-0 after eight, giving up three in the ninth. Zach Hawkins was one for three ont he day, driving in three RBI, for a team high 15 RBI.
Meet the Coaches
Ed Servais (Creighton) - Ed Servais enters his eighth season leading the Creighton baseball program in 2011. He currently holds a .631 winning percentage while at the helm of the Jays, which is the second best in school history. Servais needs just 18 wins to move into second in Creighton history in wins by a head coach, as Jack Dahm (283) and Jim Hendry (289) sit in front of him. He has taken the Jays to two NCAA Tournaments and has won the MVS Coach of the Year award three times in his seven seasons.
Servais' teams pride themselves on defense, as they again ranked among the top teams in the Nation in defensive fielding percentage last season, boasting a .980 percentage as a team, good for second in the nation. Servais has coached three Gold Gloves in his time at Creighton.
Servais started his coaching career as an assistant at St. Mary's and then was the first head coach at Viterbo, starting up the program and leading them to a 23-6 record in the first year. He then moved back to St. Mary's as the head coach, went to Iowa State as an assistant and landed at Creighton as an assistant from 1998-2003 before being named head coach in 2004. Servais is assisted by Rob Smith, Craig Moore and Brandon Tormoehlen.
Maj. Mike Kazlausky (Air Force) – Maj. Kazlausky has been named the interim head baseball coach at the Air Force Academy following Mike Hutcheon's retirement. Coach Kazlausky is a 1991 Academy graduate and has logged six years as an assistant coach at the Academy. One of the most inspirational and emotional players to ever wear the Air Force baseball uniform, Kazlausky was a walk-on that started all four years. He spent four years at Ccharleston Air Force Base in S.C. as a pilot in the C-17 air craft. Kaz is assisted by Toby Bicknell, Tim Dixon and 2nd Lt Kamalijt Randhawa.
Tracy Woodson (Valparaiso) - Woodson enters the 2011 season with a 95-125 record for both his collegiate career as well as at Valpo. In 2010, he led the Brown and Gold to a fourth place finish in the Horizon League during the regular season. He was a professional player for 13 seasons and coached in the majors for eight years. He has coached three First Team All-Horizon League selectons as well as three Second Team picks. The team has finished third in each of his first three seasons. Woodson is assisted by Brian Schmack, Adam Piotrowicz, Jeramy St. Clair and Dallas Cawiezell.
Gary Collins (SIU Edwardsville) - The 2011 season is the third year the Cougars will play at the Division 1 level, and Collins has been at the helm through the transfer, for 33 total seasons. He led his team to 14 Division II regional appearances and five College World Series appearances. Collins began his coaching career as an assistant at SIUE to head coach Roy E. Lee adn then went to Lewis and Clark CC before returning to become the head coach. He played in the Cardinals organization as a professional, the first SIUE player in any psort to sign a professional contract. He is assisted by Tony Stoecklin and Danny Jackson.
Jays vs. the Mountain West
The Mountain West holds a 29-27 edge over the Bluejays, with Creighton coming closer with the four game sweep at New Mexico earlier this season. Creighton went 0-2 against the Mountain West last season, with both losses in the double header to Air Force. Creighton can even the series this weekend and take the lead in the meeting with BYU at home next week.
Jays vs. The Horizon League
The Jays hold a 22-2 record against teams from the Horizon league, but this is the first time in six years they have met up with any team from the league. The Jays played UW-Milwaukee in the 2005 season, defeating UWM 3-2 and 9-1, both in seven innings.
Jays vs. The Ohio Valley
Creighton holds a 9-2 record over teams from the Ohio Valley, with the only game between the two last season being Creighton's 22-0 rout of SIU Edwardsville. In the 2008 season, the Jays swept Tennessee-Martin in three games, outscoring UTM 29-7 in the three games.
The Series
Creighton vs. Air Force - The Jays hold a 17-7 overall meeting advantage over the Falcons, including a 4-2 series lead with Coach Servais at the helm. The Falcons did give Creighton its most recent DH sweep, beating the Jays 4-3 and 6-2 in Omaha last season.
Creighton vs. Valparaiso - The Jays and Crusaders will meet for the first time on the baseball field this weekend.
Creighton vs. SIU Edwardsville - Creighton holds a 1-0 lead over SIUE, defeating the Cougars 22-0 in last season's opener.
Valley's Best
Bluejay senior right fielder Trever Adams has been named the MVC Player of the Week, after his play from March 7-13. The Lincoln, Neb., native hit two home runs, two triples and knocked in five RBI over the week, improving his batting average 100 points. He is also on a 10 game hit streak, the longest by a Bluejay this season.
Another, and Another, and Another
Creighton put up 13 runs in the win on Sunday, the highest single game output this season. In the three game series, Creighton outscored SDSU 25-3. The Sunday game was also a season high in hits (16) and total bases (20).
Multiplication
Creighton senior Trever Adams has put together a 10 game it streak, the longest of any Bluejay this season. Possibly even more impressive - the right fielder has had multiple hits in six games during that stretch, incuuding a three hit outing on March 12 and a two hit game on March 13, both against South Dakota State.
Back on the Horse
After putting together an eight game hit streak earlier in the season, sophomore Alex Staehely has been held hitless in two of the last five games. But the second baseman has continued to be aggressive at the plate. He knocked in a career high five RBI in the 13-0 win against SDSU on March 13, driving two doubles and a single from the dish and not committing an error on defense.
Taking a Chance
Chance Ross transfered into Creighton from Cowley College, not sure where he would fit in. After spending some time at shortstop in the fall, the junior has earned a starting spot at third base this season, and has fully taken advantage of the opportunity. In the three games this weekend, the third baseman had seven hits, scoring four runs and driving in two.
Fresh Faces
The Jays were able to get a couple players in on Sunday that haven't seen much playing time this season. Included in that mix were seniors Vince Bellino and Clay Cuno. Bellino scored his first run as a Bluejay, picking up a walk. He also mmade his first defensive play, tossing out a runner on a ground ball late in the game. Cuno went one for two from the dish in his first appearance this season, after being the designated hitter for much of last season.
Tossing Your Cookies
Head coach Ed Servais and Bluejay assistant Brandon Tormoehlen each got thrown out of the ball game on Monday, March 7 at Arkansas State. After a called strike three, the two voiced their feelings on the call, resulting in an ejection from home plate umpire Steve Dew. The last time Coach Servais was thrown out of a game was at Evansville on April 4, 2009.
Going Yard
Bluejay senior Trever Adams had another good series in Arkansas. The right fielder went six-for-twelve in the three games at Arkansas State,with two home runs (one to straight away center in the 6-0 win and the other off the scoreboard in right field in the 6-8 loss). He also added a triple and beat out a drag bunt for an infield hit. Adams finished the Central Arkansas game with two RBI in the game on a sacrifice fly and double down the left field line.
Get Your Motor Running
Bluejay senior Trever Adams had a rough start to the season, going .095 through the first five games of the season with just two hits. Adams has started his offensive power in the last three games, improving his average to .314 by getting seven hits in the final three games of the New Mexico weekend's games, including two doubles and a triple and scoring three runs. Adams also finished the Arkansas trip going seven for 14, with two homeruns. The Preseason MVC All-Valley pick finished last season with a .356 batting average while starting all 52 games.
Opening Day at Home
In the past 10 years, Creighton has an 9-1 record on opening day at the CU Sports Complex. Under head coach Ed Servais, the Jays are 6-1 on opening day. The only blemish on Servais' opening day mark came last season, in an 8-5 loss to Indiana State. Below are the opening day scores from the past 10 seasons.
3/11/11 SDSU W 6-0
4/2/10 Indiana State L 5-8
3/14/09 South Dakota State W 8-2
3/15/08 Chicago State W (7) 11-0
3/9/07 Saint Louis W 6-1
3/14/06 North Dakota State W 13-4
2/25/05 Saint Louis W 13-12
3/19/04 North Dakota State W 14-2
3/25/03 Kansas State W 11-6
3/5/02 Dana College W 16-7
Home Series
The Jays have also had good success in the opening series in the last 10 years. Creighton is 24-6 in the first home series of the season. In 2002, 2003 and 2004 the Jays opened with a single game at home followed by a conference home series in each season. Below are the opening series opponents and results
2011 SDSU 3-0
2010 Indiana State 1-2
2009 South Dakota State 2-1
2008 Chicago State 4-0
2007 Saint Louis 3-0
2006 North Dakota State 2-0
2005 Saint Louis 2-0
2004 Evansville 3-0
2003 Missouri State 2-2
2002 Illinois State 2-1
Blach'n Out
Sophomore right hander Ty Blach struck out seven batters in the 5-2 win over Arkansas State. It ties his career high as a Bluejay, with the other time he fanned seven being March 27, 2010 in a win at Southern Illinois.
Putting Fans in the Seats
Creighton has played 149 home games in Ed Servais' tenure at CU, with 106 of them being played at the CU Sports Complex and 43 held at Rosenblatt Stadium. In games played on campus, like this weekend, Creighton averages 401 fans per game. In the games played at the former home of the College World Series, the Jays avrage 4,187, with a high of 21,158 to watch Creighton and Nebraska play in 2006. Together, the Jays have averaged 1,494 fans per game at home. With the addition of TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, there is no telling what the average attendance will be this season. So far this season in 12 away games, the Jays are averaging 486 fans a game.
Rain Rain Go Away
In the last week, Creighton has had three schedule changes due to the rainy weather in Arkansas. The Jays moved Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5 games to a double header on Sunday, March 6, followed by a single game on the Monday, March 7 travel day. The Jays also lost out on a game at Central Arkansas on Tuesday, March 8, as the rain and thunderstorms continued through Arkansas. Last season, Creighton had two games cancelled and moved the start time of others due to weather conditions.
Bouncing Back
The two back to back losses after Creighton's eight game win streak are a rarity under Ed Servais. In the 14 streaks of five wins or more in the Servais era, the Jays have only lost multiple games after a streak five of the 14 times. That does include, now, the streak that was just broken and the most recent five game streak in 2008.
Pitching Perfection
Senior right hander Jonas Dufek had one of his best outings of the season in the 6-0 win over Arkansas State. Dufek, who currently leads the team with 23 strikeouts thrown, thres 7.0 innings and gave up just four hits while walking three batters. In the 27 batters he faced, he did not allow a single run and struck out four ASU batters.
I'll Give You One
Wednesday's game marked the first for a couple things by the Bluejay pitching staff. Creighton starter Brandon Koenigstein gave up the first home run from the pitching staff this season, a line drive that went right over the right field fence. In the other first, Bluejay reliever Jack VanLeur allowed his first run of the season. After coming into the game with two runners on, VanLeur allowed both runs to score as well as a batter that he faced to come across the plate. He is still holding opponents to just a .095 batting average against him when he is on the mound.
Fanning Himself
Senior pitcher Jonas Dufek set a career record in his first outing this season, striking out 11 batters in 5.0 innings of work against Canisius on Feb. 19. He then added eight K's to his count in his second outing, 6.0 innings in the 4-3 win over New Mexico. Dufek leads the team and the Valley in strike outs this season, with 23 total. Must lead to a cool breeze on the pitchers mound.
Sweep it Up
Creighton swept through the weekend four game series with New Mexico last weekend. It is the first time since 2008 the Jays have completed a four-game sweep. The victim then? Chicago State on March 15 and 16. Ed Servais has coached one other team to a four game sweep, as the Jays swept North Dakota State from March 16-18 of 2007.
TD Ameritrade Park Omaha
The future home to Bluejay baseball, as well as the College World Series, is making progress toward total completion. The Jays will play their first game in the new stadium on April 19, 2011, against Nebraska. The Jays will have 12 games in the new facility this season plus hosting the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for the first time in Ed Servais' tenure, as it has been at Wichita State the last three season. Creighton hasn't hosted the tournament since 1978, and will aim to become just the second MVC team in the last 35 years to win the tournament on their home field.
Bem-BOOM
Creighton waited until it's seventh game to knock out a round tripper this season, blasting seven by this time last season. Junior college transfer Anthony Bemboom has the honor of knocking out the club's first home run, driving one over the right field fence in the 10-6 win over New Mexico. In his fourth at-bat of the game, Bemboom drove a line drive shot over the fence, knocking in Alex Staehely and Michael Blatchford.
You Get to Play and You Get to Play
In Creighton's 8-7, 11-inning win over New Mexico, 18 different Bluejays played in the game at some various position. Creighton used six different pitchers, with Reese McGraw picking up his second win of the season, and each pitcher throwing at least 0.2 innings. Creighton also had two different pinch hitters and one straight position switch. New Mexico put 14 pitchers in the game, using just one pinch hitter and one pinch runner.
We're Going Streaking
With the four wins at New Mexico and two at Arkansas State, Creighton went on an eight game winning streak, marking the 14th time in Ed Servais' Creighton career the Jays have put together streaks of at least five wins. That is highlighted by a 15 game win streak in 2006.
5/20-5/26, 2004 5 games
2/18-3/1, 2005 6 games
3/11-3/27, 2005 12 games
4/5-4/16, 2005 6 games
4/24-5/1, 2005 5 games
2/18-3/18, 2006 15 games
3/24-4/1, 2007 6 games
4/11-4/29, 2007 11 games
5/5-5/18, 2007 10 games
3/1-3/5, 2008 5 games
3/15/3/19, 2008 6 games
3/28-4/5, 2008 5 games
4/25-5/3 2008 5 games
2/19-3/6 2011 8 games
Traveling to New Mexico
The Jays are 1-5 when traveling to New Mexico to play baseball. Five of the six games were played to open the 1981 season, with the Lobos winning four of the five. Creighton's lone win was a 5-4 victory in the second game of the season.
Comeback Kings
The Bluejays haven't been the best team out of the gate this season. They have only scored first in two of the eight games, the opener against Toledo (5-1 Creighton) and the 4-3 Saturday win over New Mexico. The Jays trailed Sunday's game with New Mexico 6-0 after two innings before tying and forcing extra innings by scoring seven runs late. They have also overcome 3-run deficits in back to back games (the 4-3 win over KU and the first 4-3 win over New Mexico.) It is the first time since 2000 the Jays overcame back to back 3-run deficits, and only the 28th time in Ed Servais' tenure.
Stae-leader
Alex Staehely has started off the 2011 season with a hot bat and he is leading the team in a whole host of categories. He is currently atop the lists in the following categories:
Batting Average .382
Slugging Percentage .647
Runs Scored 8
Hits 13
RBI 7
Doubles 5*
Triples 2*
Total Bases 22*
Stolen Bases 4
* these represent categories Staehely is also leading the Missouri Valley Conference.
Sticky Gloves
Creighton has been known for it's outstanding defense under Ed Servais. Creighton's defense finished second in the country last season with a .980 fielding percentage. They led the nation in errors per game, with just 41 errors in 52 games. Coach Servais has coached three gold gloves in seven seasons. His teams have had above a .965 fielding percentage every season he has been at the helm of Bluejay baseball. The Bluejays have committed the fewest errors in Division I since 2004, with just 370 (28 less than the second place team). The Jays are also sixth in the country in the last seven years in double plays per game, turning 1.02 per game.
Staehely's Streaks
Sophomore second baseman Alex Staehely has started with one of the best individual performances on the season. After finishing his freshman season with a .240 batting average, Staehely leads the team with a .367 batting average. His eight game hit streak was snapped in the Central Arkansas loss on March 9. He had recorded at least one hit in eight straight games the Jays played, including multiple game hits in six of the games. The Bears held him hitless, though, as he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Staehely has hit a team high six doubles and two triples, knocking one of each in the Kansas win.
Nation's Best
Right handed junior pitcher Reese McGraw has been honored by two different outlets. He was first tabbed the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the week, then followed by the CollegeBaseballInsider.com. McGraw made four appearances last week, finishing with two wins and a team high two saves. He has a 0.00 ERA in his performances, pitching nearly perfectly on the mount. In 7.0 innings last week, McGraw gave up four hits and struck out five, while holding opponents to a .174 batting average. He has not allowed a run in any of his team high six appearances this season.
Receiving Votes
With Creighton's impressive start, different baseball outlets across the country are beginning to take note. While they haven't cracked the polls yet, the Jays are receiving votes in the National College Baseball Writers Association poll.
He's Got Brains Too
Creighton senior Jimmy Swift was named the Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week for his work in the classroom and his play on the field for the week ending Feb. 22. Swift batted .400 in the opening weekend (4-for-10) and had an on base percentage of .571, leading Creighton to a 2-1 opening weekend. Swift, from Des Moines, Iowa, got a hit in all three games and reached base 4-of-5 times in the 6-3 win over Canisius (two singles and a walk and basehit.) The fifth year senior has a 3.34 gpa in Finance.
Two for One
Through Ed Servais' first six seasons, the Jays ranked among the top in the nation in double plays turned each season. The Jays sat at 11th in most double plays turned from 2004-10 with 411, putting them at sixth in double plays per game at 1.02. This season, the Jays have already turned 13 double plays in the first ten games, including forcing opponents to ground into seven double plays.
Tops of the Charts
The Jays have played competitive and solid baseball in the first four games, going 3-1 in the games. They have found themselves high up on the early statistical charts in the MVC.
Sac Hits in a Game 1st 3 (2/22/11)
Hit by Pitch in Game 1st 5 (2/19/11)
Team Pitching 2nd 2.50 ERA
Team Fielding T-1st .987 Fielding %
Mutcheson T-3rd .667 ind. batting avg.
Staehely T-2nd 3 stolen bases
*Leads in most stolen bases in single game (2)
Dufek 2nd 11 strikeouts
*Leads in most strikeouts in a single game (11)
Make it Three
With the dramatic win on Tuesday over Kansas, Creighton is now 3-1 to open the 2011 season. It marks the second time in Coach Ed Servais' career at Creighton that the Jays have started 3-1.
2011 3-1
2010 3-1
2009 0-4
2008 2-2
2007 2-2
2006 1-3
2005 2-2
2004 1-3
Keeping Our Bags Packed
Even though the weather in Omaha has been unseasonably warm, with temperatures making it into the 60's on some days and the snow off the field, Creighton will play a total of 13 games away from home in the opening road swing, traveling to North Carolina, Kansas, New Mexico and Arkansas. The Jays will travel just under 7,000 miles in the opening trip, detailed below.
Omaha to Cary, N,C. and back 2,500 mi.
Omaha to Lawrence, Kan. and back 414 mi.
Omaha to Albuquerque, N.M and back 1, 748 mi.
Omaha to Conway, Ark. 585 mi.
Conway, Ark. to Jonesboro, Ark. 130 mi.
Jonesboro, Ark. to Omaha 574 mi.
Going Streaking
While it is nothing like the NCAA record of consecutive games with a hit (like the 56 games straight Garrett Wittels had last season), two Bluejays have put together offensive streaks in the early part of the season. Newcomer Nick Judkins and senior Jimmy Swift have each gotten at least one hit in each of the opening four games. Judkins has also scored a run in each of the games. Last season, Alex Staehely put together a 14 game hit streak from March 13 to April 9, the longest on the team last season. The Creighton record is 23, put together by Elliot Soto from March 24-April 9, 2009.
Back to the Bench
Senior pitcher Jack VanLeur and junior hurler Kurt Spomer have combined to pitch 10.1 innings of scoreless baseball. They have not allowed a hit or a run in their time on the mound, and just two batters have been walked and reached base. VanLeur went 14.1 innings last season before allowing a walk.
We've Got A Closer
Bluejay junior Reese McGraw has stepped up early as a possible full time closer for the Jays. He finished his career at Garden City Community College with a school record 14 saves and 37 strikeouts in 36.2 innings in the 2010 season. McGraw has a team high three appearances this season, and the submarino pitcher has yet to allow a run, striking out two and earning the win in the 4-3, 10-inning win over Kansas on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
Welcome to College
Creighton's addition of seven junior college transfers has proved to be a good investment, as all seven have seen playing time. Nick Judkins and Chance Ross have earned every-day starting positions on the infield, at first and third, respectively, while Anthony Bemboom, Erik Mattingly and Gabriel Thibodeaux have each found themselves in the starting lineup in the first four games. Reese McGraw and Chase Webb have each earned time in the deep Bluejay pitching staff, with McGraw making a bid for the closer position.
I'd Like a Degree, Please
Freshman centerfielder Mike Gerber was drafted straight out of high school last season, being takin in the 40th round. But Gerber decided he wanted to get his education, and the Bluejay staff couldn't be happier. Not only did they find a defensive talent to fill in the void left by All-MVC selection Robbie Knight, Gerber is hitting .214 with three hits and two RBI on the season.
We've Got Ice
The Creighton baseball team was hit seven times in the season opening weekend, including five times in the 6-3 win over Canisius on Saturday, February 19. Michael Mutcheson leads the team with four hit-by-pitches on the season. Creighton was hit 62 times last season, led by Jimmy Swift and Robbie Knight leading the way with nine each.
This Canadian Can Play, Eh?
In Michael Mutcheson's first weekend getting into a Bluejay game, the junior from Manitoba, Canada, went four-for-six in the leadoff, designated hitter spot. He reached base four out of five times in the opener against Toledo, with three hits and a hit by pitch. Mutcheson then went one-for-two in the second game on Saturday against Canisius, with a single to right field, but was hit by pitch two more times.
Opening Day History
The Jays are looking to move one step closer to evening the opening day record to .500. In the 42 recorded openers, Creighton is 20-22, including the 22-0 victory over SIU Evansville last season. The Jays are 19-13 in neutral site openers but just 12-24 in the season-opening road contests. Creighton has won four of the seven season openers under Ed Servais. Below is a list of those games:
Date Opponent Score Location
2/19/11 Toledo W, 5-1 Cary, N.C.
2/20/10 SIU Edwardsville W, 22-0 Conway, Ark.
2/20/09 Sam Houston St. L, 8-6 Huntsville, Texas
2/22/08 Washington St. W, 8-4 Pullman, Wash.
2/9/07 Gardner-Webb W, 4-3 Rock Hill, S.C.
2/11/06 Ark.-Little Rock L, 11-12 Little Rock, Ark.
2/11/05 Sam Houston St. W, 9-6 Huntsville, Texas
2/14/04 Southern Utah L, 10-5 Colorado Springs, Colo.
Swift Stick
Bluejay senior Jimmy Swift has had great success in the two season openers he has played in, going a combined 5-of-9. In the opener a year ago, a 22-0 win over SIU Edwardsville, Swift went 4-for-6 from the plate, with three runs scored and four RBI. In Swift's sophomore debut, an 8-6 loss to Sam Houston State, Swift went 1-for-3 from the plate.
I'll Bet on a Nine
Creighton has had multiples of nine hits in its last three season openers. In 2010, Creighton had 18 hits, scoring 22 runs in a 22-0 shut out of SIU Edwardsville. In the 2009 opener against Sam Houston State, the Jays finished with nine hits and six runs in an 8-6 loss. The 2008 opener proved the same, with the Jays scratching out nine hits and eight runs in an 8-4 win over Washington State.
Everyone in on the Fun
In last year's season opener, eight of the nine starters got at least one hit, with freshman Alex Staehely being the only Jay not to get a hit. Creighton knocked out 18 hits, second most on the season, en route to a 22-0 win over SIU Edwardsville.
Get 'em Some Fresh Air
The Jays have taken advantage of the unseasonably warm temperatures the past week to get outside and practice on the turf. Head Coach Ed Servais has remarked this is the nicest since his first year with the Jays, when they opened with Iowa State, Servais' former school. With snow still down the foul lines and in patches in the outfield, the field looked like a scene from a movie - maybe the beginning of the feel good story of the year.
Iron Men
Five Bluejays played and started in all 52 games last season, including returners Trever Adams, Jimmy Swift and Alex Staehely. Joining those three were T.J. Roemmich and Ian Dike, both lost to graduation. Swift has started every game the last two seasons, 108 straight, and has played in 122 games over his career.
He'll Rob Ya
Senior Jimmy Swift led the team in stolen bases last season, going 10-of-13 on the season. Swift has 14 stolen bases in his Bluejay career. Creighton, as a team, stole 44 bases last season and was caught stealing 22 times.
No Free Tickets
Under pitching coach Rob Smith the Jays have had one of the top pitching staffs in the MVC. Last season marked the fourth straight season in which the Jays ranked in the top-25 nationally for fewest walks per nine innings. Over that same period, the Jays have combined for a 4.14 ERA which ranks 19th overall in the country.
Give Him the Ball
Last year, southpaw Ty Blach was named a Freshman All-American, the fifth selection during Rob Smith's four years. Blach finished the 2010 season with a 3.11 ERA, with one complete game in 75.1 innings pitched. Blach was second on the team in strikeouts (58) and held opponents to a .231 batting average. He will be one of the series starting pitchers for the Jays this season.
Fast Start in February
In his first three years on the job, head coach Ed Servais posted .500 records or better in the month of February. Since then, the Jays have been below .500 in each of their last three Februarys, except for a .750, three-for-four February record last season and this years .875. Here are Creighton's records in the month since 2004:
Year Record 2004 3-3
2005 6-2
2006 5-3
2007 2-4
2008 1-2
2009 0-6
2010 3-1
2011 7-1
Dropping Bombs
While Creighton isn't typically know for its long-ball power hitting, the Jays have hit a homerun in five of the last ten season openers, including two last season. Below is a list of the players and the season they hit them in.
2010 Elliot Soto and Trever Adams
2009 Jimmy Swift
2008 None
2007 Tim Gradoville
2006 None 2005 None
2004 None
2003 Ryan Fitzgerald
2002 Dan Norquist (pinch hit)
2001 None
Middle of the Pack
Creighton was picked to finish fifth in the MVC preseason poll, as voted on by the league's coaches. The Jays were picked second in last season's preseason poll and finished sixth. Creighton finished with 35 points, just two points behind Indiana State at number five.
Place Team Points
1 Illinois State (4) 58
2 Wichita State (4) 53
3 Evansville 41
4 Indiana State 37
5 Creighton 35
6 Missouri State 27
7 Southern Illinois 25
8 Bradley 13
Adams Tabbed Preseason All-MVC
Creighton outfielder Trever Adams is the only Bluejay to be named to the preseason all-Valley team, earning the nod in the outfield. Adams, an all-Valley honorable mention selection last season, hit .356 last season with a team high 74 hits, 12 home runs and 58 RBI. Adams is slated to see most of his time in right field this season.
20-Years Later
This year marks the 20 year reunion of the NCAA College World Series team from 1991. It is the only time in Bluejay history the Jays have made it to the CWS. Creighton was eliminated by Wichita State, finished 2-2 in the tournament.
High Fives
Creighton seniors Jimmy Swift, Greg Hellhake and Jack VanLeur are all in their fifth-year of competition, after redshirting one year in their stay. The three have compiled 149-90 record, making it to one NCAA Regional and winning one MVC Tournament (both in 2007),
Double Dip Anyone?
CU currently has four 2011 dates scheduled with multiple games, inlcuding this weekend's opening Saturday games. The Ed Servais era has seen great success on such dates, as the Jays are 60-24 in twinbills since 2004, good for a .829 winning percentage. That mark includes 23 Jay sweeps and 14 splits.
Extra Credit
Creighton sophomore Ty Blach wasn't named to any of the Missouri Valley postseason teams last season, but did earn Freshman All-American honors. The left hander, who will be one of the top Jays pitchers this season, has been named “The Most Underrated Pitcher in the MVC” by collegebaseballinsider.com. On the same site, Bluejay senior Jonas Dufek has been named one of the top starting pitchers in the conference.
We Win Around Here
The 27-25 winning record last season gave Creighton it's seventh straight winning season under Ed Servais. The Jays high in wins in a season under Servais is 48, during the 2005 season in which they made the NCAA Tournament, finishing 48-17.
Overall 12-3
Non-Conference 12-3
MVC 0-0
MVC Tournament 0-0
vs. Ranked Teams 0-0
vs. Unranked Teams 12-3
Home 3-0
Away 7-2
Neutral 2-1
Day 12-3
Night 0-0
vs. Left 2-0
vs. Right 10-3
Friday 2-0
Saturday 5-0
Sunday 4-1
Monday 0-1 Tuesday 1-0 Wednesday 0-1
Thursday 0-0
1-Run Games 4-1
2-Run Games 0-1
5+ Run Games 3-0
In Extra Innings 2-0
Shutouts 3-0
Game 1 of MVC Series 0-0
Game 2 of MVC Series 0-0
Game 3 of MVC Series 0-0
Scoring First 6-2
When opponent scores first 6-1
10 or more hits 4-0
<10 hits 1-3
When CU starter goes 5+ innings 9-1
When CU starter goes <5 innings 1-2
After 6 leading 8-0
After 6 trailing 2-2
After 6 tied 1-2
After 7 leading 9-0
After 7 trailing 1-2
After 7 tied 2-1
After 8 leading 10-0
After 8 trailing 0-2
After 8 tied 2-1
Last at-bat wins 0-0
Last at-bat losses 0-1
When hitting a homerun 4-1
When not hitting a homerun 8-2
When allowing a homerun 1-1
When not allowing a homerun 11-2
When striking out 10 or more batters 1-0
When striking out <10 batters 11-3
February 7-1
March 5-2
April 0-0
May 0-0
June 0-0
White Tops 3-0
Blue Tops 1-1
Black Tops 2-1
Gray Tops 6-1
