Baseball Heads to Arkansas for Spring Break Trip
3/2/2011 4:30:00 PM | Baseball
Creighton Baseball (7-1, 0-0) Spring Break Trip 2011
@ Arkansas State (3-5) (March 4, 5 and 6)
@ Central Arkansas (6-1) (March 8 and 9)
@ Arkansas State (3-5) (March 4, 5 and 6)
@ Central Arkansas (6-1) (March 8 and 9)
Probable Starters
ERA W-L App GS SV IP H R ER BB SO
Creighton
Fri. - Ty Blach, LHP 3.27 2-0 2 2 0 11.0 11 4 4 3 5
Sat. - Jonas Dufek, RHP 3.27 1-0 2 2 0 11.0 11 6 4 4 19
Sun - Greg Hellhake, LHP 4.76 1-1 2 2 0 11.1 8 6 6 5 9
Arkansas State
Fri. - Andy Ferguson, RHP 5.73 1-1 2 2 0 11.0 10 8 7 7 11
Sat. - Jacob Lee, RHP 3.00 0-1 2 2 0 12.0 12 6 4 2 13
Sun. - Daniel Wright, RHP 5.40 0-2 2 2 0 10.0 12 7 6 3 6
Midweek
CU - Brandon Koenigstein, RHP 6.75 0-0 2 1 0 5.1 7 5 4 3 1
UCA - Evan Cox, RHP 3.75 1-0 2 2 0 12.0 9 5 5 4 12
Creighton
Fri. - Ty Blach, LHP 3.27 2-0 2 2 0 11.0 11 4 4 3 5
Sat. - Jonas Dufek, RHP 3.27 1-0 2 2 0 11.0 11 6 4 4 19
Sun - Greg Hellhake, LHP 4.76 1-1 2 2 0 11.1 8 6 6 5 9
Arkansas State
Fri. - Andy Ferguson, RHP 5.73 1-1 2 2 0 11.0 10 8 7 7 11
Sat. - Jacob Lee, RHP 3.00 0-1 2 2 0 12.0 12 6 4 2 13
Sun. - Daniel Wright, RHP 5.40 0-2 2 2 0 10.0 12 7 6 3 6
Midweek
CU - Brandon Koenigstein, RHP 6.75 0-0 2 1 0 5.1 7 5 4 3 1
UCA - Evan Cox, RHP 3.75 1-0 2 2 0 12.0 9 5 5 4 12
Last Time Out
Creighton traveled to Albuquerque to take on the New Mexico Lobos in a four game series. It marked the first meeting between the two teams since March 6, 1996, a game in which the Jays won 3-2. The Lobos, a 2010NCAA Tournament team, came into the game winless, while the Jays were 3-1. Creighton swept the Lobos in four games, coming from behind in three of the four games to win them all. The Jays scored 26 runs on 40 hits in the four games, including knocking out season higs of 12 hits in both the 10-6 and 8-7 wins.
Creighton 4, New Mexico 3 - In the Friday win, Ty Blach picked up the win, going 5.0 innings on the mound, giving up five hits and three runs, while striking out two and walking three. The Lobos scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, but Creighton came back with three in the top of the fifth and added the game winner in the top of the sixth. Alex Staehely was the only Bluejay to get multiple hits, going 2-for-4 on the day.
Creighton 4, New Mexico 3 - For the first time this season, the Jays got on the board in the first inning in the Saturday morning game. Alex Staehely started off strong, ripping a triple to the left center field gap, followed by a Jimmy Swift sacrifice fly to score Staehely. Jonas Dufek was stellar on the mound, going 6.0 innings with six hits, three runs (one earned), eight strikeouts and just one walk.
Creighton 10, New Mexico 6 - After falling behind 4-0 after the first two innings, the Jays put together one of the most impressive hitting sequences of the season, batting through the lineup in the fourth and scoring seven runs. Three back-to-back-to-back singles to lead off the inning set pace for the inning. Anthony Bemboom went three for five in the game, hitting the teams first home run of the season, a three run bomb over the right field fence.
Creighton 8, New Mexico 7 (11 innings) - In a game where Creighton fell behind 6-0 early, the Jays again used one inning to pull back in the game. The Jays batted around in the second consecutive game to get a four run seventh innng and even the game at 7-7. In the top of the 11th, with the decision this would be the last inning due to travel arrangements, Nick Judkins led off the inning with a single and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and poor focus by the defense. A grounder by Alex Staehely then gave the Jays the win, as the Lobo shortstop couldn't handle it.
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 7-1 start, with a four game sweep over New Mexico (2010 NCAA Tournament participant) and the only loss to Canisius (4-1 on Feb., 20 in Cary, N.C.). 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 Michael Mutcheson, Alex Staehely and Jimmy Swift. Staehely has exploded in the last few 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 leads the team in batting average (.382), hits (13), doubles (5), triples (2) and total bases (22). Swift has been a solid force on the infield and at the plate, hitting .300 with nine hits and a .405 on base percentage in the third hole. He has a .933 fielding percentage on 45 chances. Mutcheson, batting in the leadoff position as the dh, has a .571 on base percentage and has reached four times via walk and five times hit by pitch (an MVC leading stat). 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. Jack VanLeur, Reese McGraw and Kurt Spomer have pitched 9.0, 8.2 and 7.2 innings, respectively, not allowing a run in any appearance and giving up just nine hits. The pitching staff has a combined 3.28 ERA and is holding opponents to a .237 batting average against.
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 23 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.
Tommy Raffo (Arkansas State) – Faffo is in his third year at the helm of the Red Wolves, compiling a 55-63 record through this point. Raffo became the fifth head coach in the history of ASU when he was hired on July 1, 2008. He spent 15 seasons as an assistant at Mississippi State, where he served as the primary recruiting coordinator. During his time at MSU, he had three teams make it to the College World Series and his hitters posted a team batting average of .300 or better in eight of his 11 seasons. Raffo was co-captain of the 1990 MSU team that advanced to the CWS, and was a two-time Academic All-American and first-team All-SEC. He is assisted by Chris Cook, Tighe Dickinson and Cliff Wren.
Allen Gum (Central Arkansas) - Gum took over the Central Arkansas Bears baseball program last summer after five seasons at Southern Arkansas. His teams went 226-68 and coach Gum recorded five consecutive 40-plus win seasons. His .769 winning percentage is the second best in the Gulf South Conference and the Muleriders have spent 24 weeks at number one in the nation in the last three seasons. Gum played collegiate baseball at Crowder Community College before playing two seasons at Southern Arkansas. He is a member of the Crowder College Baseball Hall of Fame. At Central Arkansas, he is assisted by Wes Johnson, Dallas Black and Jay Mattox.
Jays vs. the Sun Belt
The Sun Belt is one of the 18 leagues the Jays have a winning record against, holding a 13-9 advantage. Creighton did not play a team from the Belt last season.
Creighton traveled to Albuquerque to take on the New Mexico Lobos in a four game series. It marked the first meeting between the two teams since March 6, 1996, a game in which the Jays won 3-2. The Lobos, a 2010NCAA Tournament team, came into the game winless, while the Jays were 3-1. Creighton swept the Lobos in four games, coming from behind in three of the four games to win them all. The Jays scored 26 runs on 40 hits in the four games, including knocking out season higs of 12 hits in both the 10-6 and 8-7 wins.
Creighton 4, New Mexico 3 - In the Friday win, Ty Blach picked up the win, going 5.0 innings on the mound, giving up five hits and three runs, while striking out two and walking three. The Lobos scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, but Creighton came back with three in the top of the fifth and added the game winner in the top of the sixth. Alex Staehely was the only Bluejay to get multiple hits, going 2-for-4 on the day.
Creighton 4, New Mexico 3 - For the first time this season, the Jays got on the board in the first inning in the Saturday morning game. Alex Staehely started off strong, ripping a triple to the left center field gap, followed by a Jimmy Swift sacrifice fly to score Staehely. Jonas Dufek was stellar on the mound, going 6.0 innings with six hits, three runs (one earned), eight strikeouts and just one walk.
Creighton 10, New Mexico 6 - After falling behind 4-0 after the first two innings, the Jays put together one of the most impressive hitting sequences of the season, batting through the lineup in the fourth and scoring seven runs. Three back-to-back-to-back singles to lead off the inning set pace for the inning. Anthony Bemboom went three for five in the game, hitting the teams first home run of the season, a three run bomb over the right field fence.
Creighton 8, New Mexico 7 (11 innings) - In a game where Creighton fell behind 6-0 early, the Jays again used one inning to pull back in the game. The Jays batted around in the second consecutive game to get a four run seventh innng and even the game at 7-7. In the top of the 11th, with the decision this would be the last inning due to travel arrangements, Nick Judkins led off the inning with a single and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and poor focus by the defense. A grounder by Alex Staehely then gave the Jays the win, as the Lobo shortstop couldn't handle it.
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 7-1 start, with a four game sweep over New Mexico (2010 NCAA Tournament participant) and the only loss to Canisius (4-1 on Feb., 20 in Cary, N.C.). 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 Michael Mutcheson, Alex Staehely and Jimmy Swift. Staehely has exploded in the last few 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 leads the team in batting average (.382), hits (13), doubles (5), triples (2) and total bases (22). Swift has been a solid force on the infield and at the plate, hitting .300 with nine hits and a .405 on base percentage in the third hole. He has a .933 fielding percentage on 45 chances. Mutcheson, batting in the leadoff position as the dh, has a .571 on base percentage and has reached four times via walk and five times hit by pitch (an MVC leading stat). 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. Jack VanLeur, Reese McGraw and Kurt Spomer have pitched 9.0, 8.2 and 7.2 innings, respectively, not allowing a run in any appearance and giving up just nine hits. The pitching staff has a combined 3.28 ERA and is holding opponents to a .237 batting average against.
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 23 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.
Tommy Raffo (Arkansas State) – Faffo is in his third year at the helm of the Red Wolves, compiling a 55-63 record through this point. Raffo became the fifth head coach in the history of ASU when he was hired on July 1, 2008. He spent 15 seasons as an assistant at Mississippi State, where he served as the primary recruiting coordinator. During his time at MSU, he had three teams make it to the College World Series and his hitters posted a team batting average of .300 or better in eight of his 11 seasons. Raffo was co-captain of the 1990 MSU team that advanced to the CWS, and was a two-time Academic All-American and first-team All-SEC. He is assisted by Chris Cook, Tighe Dickinson and Cliff Wren.
Allen Gum (Central Arkansas) - Gum took over the Central Arkansas Bears baseball program last summer after five seasons at Southern Arkansas. His teams went 226-68 and coach Gum recorded five consecutive 40-plus win seasons. His .769 winning percentage is the second best in the Gulf South Conference and the Muleriders have spent 24 weeks at number one in the nation in the last three seasons. Gum played collegiate baseball at Crowder Community College before playing two seasons at Southern Arkansas. He is a member of the Crowder College Baseball Hall of Fame. At Central Arkansas, he is assisted by Wes Johnson, Dallas Black and Jay Mattox.
Jays vs. the Sun Belt
The Sun Belt is one of the 18 leagues the Jays have a winning record against, holding a 13-9 advantage. Creighton did not play a team from the Belt last season.
Jays vs. the Southland
The Jays have a losing record against the Southland, with a 15-19 record against the league all-time, and won three of four games played against schools from the conference last season. Creighton defeated Central Arkansas (3-2), Stephen F. Austin (9-8 in 10 innings) and Sam Houston State (6-5 in 10 innings), then fell to Sam Houston State two days later
(11-10).
The Jays have a losing record against the Southland, with a 15-19 record against the league all-time, and won three of four games played against schools from the conference last season. Creighton defeated Central Arkansas (3-2), Stephen F. Austin (9-8 in 10 innings) and Sam Houston State (6-5 in 10 innings), then fell to Sam Houston State two days later
(11-10).
The Series
Creighton vs. Arkansas State - The weekend series will mark the fifth, sixth and seventh time the Jays and Red Wolves have met on the baseball field. The two teams currently are tied at two wins a piece, with the last game coming on February 23, 2007. In the only game during the Ed Servais era, the Jays defeated the Red Wolves 6-3. The first meeting was an ASU 11-6 victory back in 1969.
Creighton vs. Central Arkansas - The two teams have only met one other time in history, a 3-2 Bluejay win last season at Central Arkansas. In that game, after starting off scoring two runs in the top of the second, Creighton was held scoreless for five straight innings while Central Arkansas scored two runs of their own, evening the score at 2-2 going into the eighth. Creighton took the lead when Robbie Knight led of the inning with a solo homerun over the left field fence, giving Creighton a 3-2 decision.
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.
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 .250 by getting seven hits in the final three games of last weekend's games, including two doubles and a triple and scoring three runs. The Preseason MVC All-Valley pick finished last season with a .356 batting average while starting all 52 games.
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 .382 batting average. He has recorded at least one hit in seven of the eight games the Jays have played, including multiple game hits in five of the games. Staehely has hit a team high five doubles and two triples, knocking one of each in the Kansas win.
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 19 total. Must lead to a cool breeze on the pitchers mound.
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.
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.
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 this weekend, Creighton is now on a five 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
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.
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.
Creighton vs. Arkansas State - The weekend series will mark the fifth, sixth and seventh time the Jays and Red Wolves have met on the baseball field. The two teams currently are tied at two wins a piece, with the last game coming on February 23, 2007. In the only game during the Ed Servais era, the Jays defeated the Red Wolves 6-3. The first meeting was an ASU 11-6 victory back in 1969.
Creighton vs. Central Arkansas - The two teams have only met one other time in history, a 3-2 Bluejay win last season at Central Arkansas. In that game, after starting off scoring two runs in the top of the second, Creighton was held scoreless for five straight innings while Central Arkansas scored two runs of their own, evening the score at 2-2 going into the eighth. Creighton took the lead when Robbie Knight led of the inning with a solo homerun over the left field fence, giving Creighton a 3-2 decision.
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.
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 .250 by getting seven hits in the final three games of last weekend's games, including two doubles and a triple and scoring three runs. The Preseason MVC All-Valley pick finished last season with a .356 batting average while starting all 52 games.
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 .382 batting average. He has recorded at least one hit in seven of the eight games the Jays have played, including multiple game hits in five of the games. Staehely has hit a team high five doubles and two triples, knocking one of each in the Kansas win.
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 19 total. Must lead to a cool breeze on the pitchers mound.
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.
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.
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 this weekend, Creighton is now on a five 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
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.
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.
Scouting the Red Wolves
The Red Wolves were picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt Conference, with two players, pitcher Jacob Lee and outfielder Todd Baumgartner picked to the Preseason All-Conference team. Lee is also tabbed as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year in the Sun Belt. ASU is currently sitting at 2-5 on the season, with wins over Murray State and Evansville and losses at Auburn, vs UAB, at Virginia, at Ole Miss and hosting Evansville. ASU is hitting a team .259, led by Jordan Castaldo with a .400 average. He and Michael Faulkner have a team high eight hits each, with Casaldo leading the team in doubles with four. On the mound, five different Red Wolves have made starts, with Lee and Andy Ferguson each earning the starting nod twice. The staff has combined for a 4.90 ERA , with Lee holding a 3.00 in 12.0 innings pitched and Ferguson giving up 5.73 in 11.0 innings. ASU has given up 42 runs, 33 of them earned, giving up a team high 12 runs in the loss to Auburn (12-5).
Head coach Tommy Raffo is in his third year at the helm of the Red Wolves, compiling a 55-63 record through this point. He spent 15 seasons as an assistant at Mississippi State as the recruiting coordinator. Raffo was co-captain of the 1990 MSU team that advanced to the CWS, and was a two-time Academic All-American and first-team All-SEC.
In Their Last Outing...
The Arkansas State Red Wolves took on MVC opponent Evansville at home this last weekend, dropping a 2-1 series to the Purple Aces. The Red Wolves won the opener, putting up 10 runs on the Purple Aces in a 10-5 win, but then fell in the Saturday game 4-1 and the rubber match on Sunday 3-2. ASU had eight hits in the final game, committing no errors, but couldn't overcome the 3-0 lead that the Purple Aces jumped to. ASU also welcomed Southern Illinois on Tuesday, holding off a ninth-inning comeback attempt from SIU to pick up the 4-3 win. The Salukis took the 1-0 early lead, but then ASU came back to hold a 4-1 lead. SIU scored two in the ninth, but Brandon Farley earned the save, shutting down the Salukis.
The Red Wolves traveled to Murray State on Wednesday, but those results were not available at this time.
J.A. “Ike” Tomlinson Stadium - Kell Field
Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field was opened in 1993 and includes the field as well as the indoor workout facilities, equipped with an indoor hitting facility for Arkansas State baseball. The Stadium is named after Coach J.A. “Ike” Tomlinson who wsa responsible for the rebirth of athletics after WW2 and currently has the longest running time of any coach at the University. The field is named after George and Skeeter Kell, both ASU baseball players who went on to the major leagues.
Field Surface: Natural grass
The Red Wolves were picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt Conference, with two players, pitcher Jacob Lee and outfielder Todd Baumgartner picked to the Preseason All-Conference team. Lee is also tabbed as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year in the Sun Belt. ASU is currently sitting at 2-5 on the season, with wins over Murray State and Evansville and losses at Auburn, vs UAB, at Virginia, at Ole Miss and hosting Evansville. ASU is hitting a team .259, led by Jordan Castaldo with a .400 average. He and Michael Faulkner have a team high eight hits each, with Casaldo leading the team in doubles with four. On the mound, five different Red Wolves have made starts, with Lee and Andy Ferguson each earning the starting nod twice. The staff has combined for a 4.90 ERA , with Lee holding a 3.00 in 12.0 innings pitched and Ferguson giving up 5.73 in 11.0 innings. ASU has given up 42 runs, 33 of them earned, giving up a team high 12 runs in the loss to Auburn (12-5).
Head coach Tommy Raffo is in his third year at the helm of the Red Wolves, compiling a 55-63 record through this point. He spent 15 seasons as an assistant at Mississippi State as the recruiting coordinator. Raffo was co-captain of the 1990 MSU team that advanced to the CWS, and was a two-time Academic All-American and first-team All-SEC.
In Their Last Outing...
The Arkansas State Red Wolves took on MVC opponent Evansville at home this last weekend, dropping a 2-1 series to the Purple Aces. The Red Wolves won the opener, putting up 10 runs on the Purple Aces in a 10-5 win, but then fell in the Saturday game 4-1 and the rubber match on Sunday 3-2. ASU had eight hits in the final game, committing no errors, but couldn't overcome the 3-0 lead that the Purple Aces jumped to. ASU also welcomed Southern Illinois on Tuesday, holding off a ninth-inning comeback attempt from SIU to pick up the 4-3 win. The Salukis took the 1-0 early lead, but then ASU came back to hold a 4-1 lead. SIU scored two in the ninth, but Brandon Farley earned the save, shutting down the Salukis.
The Red Wolves traveled to Murray State on Wednesday, but those results were not available at this time.
J.A. “Ike” Tomlinson Stadium - Kell Field
Tomlinson Stadium-Kell Field was opened in 1993 and includes the field as well as the indoor workout facilities, equipped with an indoor hitting facility for Arkansas State baseball. The Stadium is named after Coach J.A. “Ike” Tomlinson who wsa responsible for the rebirth of athletics after WW2 and currently has the longest running time of any coach at the University. The field is named after George and Skeeter Kell, both ASU baseball players who went on to the major leagues.
Field Surface: Natural grass
Scouting the Bears
The Central Arkansas Bears have started out the 2011 campaign red hot, winning their first six straight. The Bears have a three game sweep over SIU Edwardsville and a three game sweep over Eastern Illinois. They have outscored their opponents 48-28 in their first six games, including throwing up 35 runs against SIU Edwardsville in the Feb, 18,19 and 20 games. The Bears have five players hitting over .300, led by Jonathan Houston with a .385 average. Michael Pair (.368), Ethan Harris (.333), Jordan Getchell (.333) and Bryan Willson (.318) are the other Bears with averages over the .300 mark. Houston has hit a team high two triples, while Pair leads the team in total bases (14). The Bears have been vulnerable to strikeouts, going down 50 times on the season while striking out just 36 offensively. On the mound, six different pitchers have a win on the season, with Evan Cox and Ryan Angus leading the charge with 12.0 and 10.2 innings pitched, respectively. The Bears pitching staff have given up 52 hits in 54.0 innings of work and struck out 36. They are holding opponents to an on base percentage of .260.
In Their Last Outing...
The Bears took on the Eastern Illinois Panthers in a three game weekend series, sweeping all three games. In the finale, junior pitcher Ryan Angus struck out 10 batters and threw a complete game to lead the charge in a 3-2 victory. The win improved the Bears to one win away from tying the best start in program history (7-0 in 2006 and 1927). Michael Pair led the UCA offense with two hits and two RBI, including leading off the bottom of the first with a double and then scoring. The Bears scored first in that game, and have in four of their six games thus far in the season. UCA also took on Southeast Missouri on Tuesday, dropping their first game of the season in an 11-inning loss to the Redhawks. The Bears gave up 14 hits and used five different pitchers in the loss.
Central Arkansas took on Southeast Missouri in a game Wednesday and then hosted Indiana State for a four game series on their home field, March 4, 5 and 6. Results from those games were not available at this time.
Bear Stadium
Built in 2009, Bear stadium is the current home to UCA baseball. The stadium has a GeoGreen artificial surface as well as new walls around the field and bullpens down the foul lines. The Bears also just added a new scoreboard, complete with a working clock.
The Central Arkansas Bears have started out the 2011 campaign red hot, winning their first six straight. The Bears have a three game sweep over SIU Edwardsville and a three game sweep over Eastern Illinois. They have outscored their opponents 48-28 in their first six games, including throwing up 35 runs against SIU Edwardsville in the Feb, 18,19 and 20 games. The Bears have five players hitting over .300, led by Jonathan Houston with a .385 average. Michael Pair (.368), Ethan Harris (.333), Jordan Getchell (.333) and Bryan Willson (.318) are the other Bears with averages over the .300 mark. Houston has hit a team high two triples, while Pair leads the team in total bases (14). The Bears have been vulnerable to strikeouts, going down 50 times on the season while striking out just 36 offensively. On the mound, six different pitchers have a win on the season, with Evan Cox and Ryan Angus leading the charge with 12.0 and 10.2 innings pitched, respectively. The Bears pitching staff have given up 52 hits in 54.0 innings of work and struck out 36. They are holding opponents to an on base percentage of .260.
In Their Last Outing...
The Bears took on the Eastern Illinois Panthers in a three game weekend series, sweeping all three games. In the finale, junior pitcher Ryan Angus struck out 10 batters and threw a complete game to lead the charge in a 3-2 victory. The win improved the Bears to one win away from tying the best start in program history (7-0 in 2006 and 1927). Michael Pair led the UCA offense with two hits and two RBI, including leading off the bottom of the first with a double and then scoring. The Bears scored first in that game, and have in four of their six games thus far in the season. UCA also took on Southeast Missouri on Tuesday, dropping their first game of the season in an 11-inning loss to the Redhawks. The Bears gave up 14 hits and used five different pitchers in the loss.
Central Arkansas took on Southeast Missouri in a game Wednesday and then hosted Indiana State for a four game series on their home field, March 4, 5 and 6. Results from those games were not available at this time.
Bear Stadium
Built in 2009, Bear stadium is the current home to UCA baseball. The stadium has a GeoGreen artificial surface as well as new walls around the field and bullpens down the foul lines. The Bears also just added a new scoreboard, complete with a working clock.
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 has been 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 five double plays in the first four games, including forcing opponents to ground into four 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.
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 has been 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 five double plays in the first four games, including forcing opponents to ground into four 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
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 140-87 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.
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 140-87 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.
Players Mentioned
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/ Baseball2013 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
