Baseball Looks to Bounce Back This Weekend Against North Dakota and North Dakota State
3/24/2011 12:51:00 PM | Baseball
Creighton (16-5, 0-0)
vs. North Dakota (1-14) • March 26 DH @ 1:00 p.m. • March 27 @ 1:00 p.m.
vs. North Dakota State (2-15) • March 28 @ 3:00 p.m.
CU Sports Complex
vs. North Dakota (1-14) • March 26 DH @ 1:00 p.m. • March 27 @ 1:00 p.m.
vs. North Dakota State (2-15) • March 28 @ 3:00 p.m.
CU Sports Complex
Sat. - Jonas Dufek, RHP 1.62 3-0 5 5 1 33.1 23 8 6 10 40
Sun. - Greg Hellhake, LHP 4.64 2-1 6 6 0 21.1 18 11 11 11 16
Sun. - Greg Hellhake, LHP 4.64 2-1 6 6 0 21.1 18 11 11 11 16
Mon. - TBA
Follow the Jays
Follow the Jays all week through live stats at www.gocreighton.com. Click on the link on the right side of the front page to follow all the action of Creighton baseball vs. North Dakota and North Dakota State baseball while at home. The games will also be broadcast on KOIL 1180 AM. A link for that is on the baseball schedule page on www.gocreighton.com also. Make sure to check in after the game for statistics on your favorite Jays.
Last Time Out
Creighton played a series with BYU, marking the first meetings between the two schools in history. Creighton held off a tough squad on day one, but poor pitching gave the Cougars the 11-4 victory on day two.
Last Time Out
Creighton 6, BYU 5 - The Jays scored early and then held off an upset bid by the Cougars in the top of the ninth to win 6-5 at home. The Jays scored two runs in the bottom of the first, as Trever Adams ripped a two out home run down the left field line, scoring Jimmy Swift. After the Cougars tied the game in the top of the second, Creighton added single runs in the third and fourth, with Michael Mutcheson scoring in the third and Alex Staehely in the fourth. The Jays again gave up the lead, as BYU took the lead on a solo home run by Alex Wolfe going into the bottom of the seventh. Creighton scored two runs thanks to Swift, who knocked in his 16th RBI of the season, scoring Nick Judkins after a lead-off triple, and then was scored when Adams picked up his fourth hit of the day. Mark Winkelman and Reese McGraw combined to throw in the ninth, earning the win by stranding runners on all three bases.
Creighton 4, BYU 11 - BYU took the lead in the top of the first by putting up seven runs on the board and never looked back. BYU scored a season high 11 runs on 17 hits, including two three-run home runs from Jaycob Brugman to take the series finale from the Jays. Creighton's runs came in the bottom of the third, fourth and ninth. Jimmy Swift finished the day with two hits and an RBI, while Gabriel Thibodeaux put up the same stats. The Jays had eight hits and nine strikeouts.
Scouting Creighton
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 Trever Adams, Alex Staehely and Michael Mutcheson. 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, second on the team with a .338 batting average and a hit in 16 of the 21 games. Adams has improved his batting average almost .300 points after a slow start. He leads the team in batting average (.351), home runs (3) and triples (3). Mutcheson leads the team in on bast percentage, with a .455 and has been hit by pitch six different times. Overall, the team is hitting .281 with 108 runs on 178 hits and 35 doubles. The Jays have had solid pitching performances on the mound already this season. Jonas Dufek and Greg Hellhake have already set career strikeout records, with 13 and six, respectively while Ty Blach 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 season in 13.2 innings pitched. The pitching staff has a combined 3.09 ERA and is holding opponents to a .235 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 .637 winning percentage while at the helm of the Jays, which is the second best in school history. Servais needs just 13 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.
Jeff Dodson (North Dakota) - Dodson officially became the first Division I baseball coach in the history of UND when he was hired on June 20, 2008. In his second season, his squad increased its win total by five games to 19. He coached Jake Magner, four time National Player of the Week during that season, the first UND player to earn the award. Prior to his time in Grand Forks, Dodson was an assistant at Southeast Missouri State. He recruited and signed three All-Americans. Dodson also spent time at Martin Methodist and Bevill State, as head coaches at both schools. He is assisted by J.C. Field and Brian DeVillers.
Tod Brown (North Dakota State) - Coach Brown is in his fourth season at the helm of Bison baseball, helping the team make the transition from Division II to Division I and the Summit League. He has been part of the equipment upgrades, new uniforms and travel gear to help establish the team's identity. He has also improved the team's GPA to 3.1. He won a program-best 22 games in 2010. Brown was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Bowling Green and also a pitching coach at Sabino High School. A former volunteer coach at Arizona, Brown played for the Wildcats, winning the 1992 Pac-10 championship. Brown is assisted by Jake Angier, David Pearson and Kole Zimmerman.
Jays vs. the Great West
Creighton and the Great West do not have a big history, with the only games between the two schools played in 2009, a split with North Dakota. The Fighting Sioux had just become part of the Great West in July of 2008, after making the jump from Division II to Division I. The Jays, thus, are 1-1 against teams from the Great West Conference.
Jays vs. The Summit League
Creighton holds a 49-32 lead over teams from the Summit League, including sweeping South Dakota State in three games the second weekend in March at the CU Sports Complex. In the last three seasons, Creighton has defeated NDSU twice, 2-0 and 1-0 in 2008, while defeating SDSU eight of nine times.
The Series
Creighton vs. North Dakota - The Jays and Fighting Sioux have met on the baseball field four times in the history of the school. All four meetings have been in Omaha, with Creighton holding a 3-1 advantage. The two teams played in 2009, with each team winning a game. The Jays won the opener 13-6, but then fell 6-7 in game two.
Creighton vs. North Dakota State - Creighton and North Daktoa State have met 24 times in history between the schools, but just twice since the Bison have made the move to Division I. Creighton holds a 21-3 overall record over the Bison, including a perfect 16-0 under Ed Servais. Creighton is 10-0 at home under Servais and 6-0 when playing in Fargo. Creighton defeated NDSU 2-0 and 1-0 when the two teams last played, in Omaha in 2008.
Home Field Advantage
Creighton is 4-1 already this season at home, losing just one against BYU on March 22. In the last 10 seasons, Creighton has a .677 winning percentage when playing at home, winning 147 of 217 home games. Creighton's best season at home was in 2003, when the Jays went 21-3 from home. Under Ed Servais, the Jays are 125-49 when playing at home. Below is the home record in each of the last 10 seasons.
2011 4-1
2010 10-14
2009 15-8
2008 22-6
2007 22-4
2006 12-7
2005 21-3
2004 19-6
2003 6-14
2002 16-7
Chicks Dig the Long Ball
After starting the 2011 season just two of 21 in the first five games, senior Trever Adams has connected and found his stride, going 29 of 61 in the last 16 games, (.322) and recording multi-hit games in half of the 16 games. He has seven doubles, three triples and four home runs in that time span, getting a hit in 15 of the 16 games.
Two and Bar-B-Que
Head coach Ed Servais has done an impressive job of getting his teams refocused after losing a home game. In the time he has been at Creighton, the team has only lost back-to-back home games eight times, including going the 2004 and 2007 without dropping multiple games at home in a row. Last season, Creighton dropped four back-to-back games, including a four game skid with the Wichita State series being three of the four.
2010 4 times
2009 one time
2008 one time
2007 none
2006 two times
2005 one time
2004 none
Dufek's Dominance
Creighton's senior pitcher Jonas Dufek turned in another stellar performance in Saturday's win over Valparaiso. After improving his career strikeout numbers from nine to 11 in the Canisius game (Feb. 19), Dufek struck out 13 Crusader batters while giving up just one hit in the game. He pitched Creighton's first complete game of the season, and first since last year.
Look Alikes
Creighton is now 16-5 on the season entering today's games, their best start since the 2006 season when the Jays reached the 17 win mark with just five losses. During Ed Servais' tenure, this ranks as the second-best overall start. The only team in the last 20 years to reach 17 wins with just four losses? The 1991 College World Series Bluejay team.
Free Baseball
The Jays have played three extra-inning games this season and are a perfect 3-0 in each game. Creighton has been the visiting team in each extra inning game, defeating Kansas 4-3, New Mexico 8-7 and SIU Edwardsville 4-3 on their respective home fields. Creighton played in six extra frame games last season, splitting a perfect 3-3 on the games.
Taking Extra BP
Two Bluejays, senior Trever Adams and spohomore Alex Staehely are in the top three in the Valley in multi-hit games, with Adams putting together 10 on the season and Staehely one-upping him with 11. In the first game with BYU, the two were a combined seven for seven, each with a double while Adams drove out his fourth home run of the season.
Use Your Brain
Adding to Creighton's list of accolades already this season is sophomore Alex Staehely. The Bluejay second baseman was named Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week this week (along with Bluejay softball player Christa Ruf), marking the second straight week a baseball player has received the award. Staehely had three hits, including two doubles and two runs batted in, as the Jays defeated Air Force, Valparaiso and SIU Edwardsville. He holds a 3.50 gpa in economics/finance.
Roles Reversed
Creighton hit into three ground ball double plays in the games on Saturday, the most in a single day all season. The Jays have been doubled up 18 times this season. A perennial power in the double play category, the Jays have turned an equal 18 this season. Creighton's defense remains one of the top in the country, with a .977 fielding percentage, committing just 17 errors in it's 19 games.
Soft Hands
Creighton first baseman Nick Judkins has a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, with a team and MVC leading 195 chances with 181 put outs and 14 attempts. A Gold Glove winner at Iowa Central Community College, the right handed Judkins has been a part of 17 double plays and can field his spot, as he has played other positions on the infield through his career.
Speed Demons
The Jays defeated Valparaiso in one hour and 25 minutes on Saturday. The 85 minute game is one of the fastest nine-inning game in the history of baseball, professional included. There was an MLB game recorded as finishing in 89 minutes, but there is no record of a faster nine-inning NCAA game. Jonas Dufek pitched the complete game, two hitter for the Jays, striking out 13 in the 1-0 win.
No Free Tickets
Creighton has been pretty good at taking advantage of the opponents erratic pitching. The team has racked up 57 walks and 28 hit by pitch, led in walks by five different players with six, and Michael Mutcheson in hit by pitch, with six also. In the first game on Saturday, however, the Jays did not reach base once on a free-pass, the first time this season that has happened to the Jays.
Against the Field
The Missouri Valley Conference holds a winnisn record against 13 leagues in non-conference play. The Jays have played seven of the 13 leagues, playing against the Big 12, Horizon, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mountain West, Ohio Valley and Summit leagues.
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.
2-2-2
Creighton's Michael Blatchford has had a good streak in his first at-bat of the season. Last year, as a freshman in his first ever collegiate at-bat, Blatchford knocked in his first homerun of his career. In the game at Air Force on March 16, Blatchford's first at-bat of the 2011 season resulted in the same way, a homerun over the left center field fence. Two season opening at bat homeruns in back to back seasons, not too shabby.
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.
Small Ball
With the first set of NCAA statistics to be released next week, the Jays are sure to be in the top of the lists in sacrifices thus far this season. The Jays have 23 sacrifices on the season and nine sacrifice fly's. Leading the way is Nick Judkins. The junior college transfer, who usually hits in the number two position, has six sacrifices on the season and one sacrifice fly. With the change of the bat, many teams will turn to the bunt, although anyone familiar with Creighton baseball knows Ed Servais has always been a fan of getting a runner on and moving them over.
UPCOMING MVC SCHEDULE
3/24/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 3 PM
3/25/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 3 PM
Indiana State at Illinois 3 PM
Missouri State at Oral Roberts 3 PM
Purdue at Bradley 5 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 8 PM
3/26/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 1 PM
Indiana State at Illinois 1 PM
Purdue at Bradley 1 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 1 PM
Indiana at Evansville 1 PM
Oakland at Illinois State 2 PM
Oral Roberts at Missouri State 2 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 2 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 4 PM
Indiana at Evansville 4 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 5 PM
3/27/11
Indiana State at Illinois 12 PM
Indiana at Evansville 12 PM
Oakland at Illinois State 1 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 1 PM
Bradley at Purdue 1 PM
Oral Roberts at Missouri State 1 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 3 PM
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.
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.
It's A First
Monday games are not very common for the Jays this season, while Tuesday games are just as sparse. Thus far on the season, the Jays are 1-1 when playing on Monday's and Tuesday's, winning their only Tuesday game (at Kansas on Feb. 22) and falling at Arkansas State during Spring Break trip on Monday, March 7.
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.
Smarty Pants
Ty Blach, a sophomore southpaw from Centennial, Colo., has been named the Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week, named on Wednesday, March 16. The pitcher struck out a career high eight batters in the 6-0 win over South Dakota State on March 12. Blach has a 3.812 gpa in business
D-D-D, D-Fence
The Jays are again on the top of the lists in fielding percentage in the conference. OVerall, Creighton has a .976 fielding percentage (as of March 17, 2011), committing just 16 errors (.941 per game).
Touch 'em All
For the first time this season, the Jays had multiple homeruns in a single game in the 11-9 win at Air Force on Wednesday. After Michael Blatchford knocked a ball over the fence in the fourth, Chance Ross unleashed on a ball that went over the 400 foot deep, 30 foot high center field hitter's eye at Air Force.
Follow the Jays all week through live stats at www.gocreighton.com. Click on the link on the right side of the front page to follow all the action of Creighton baseball vs. North Dakota and North Dakota State baseball while at home. The games will also be broadcast on KOIL 1180 AM. A link for that is on the baseball schedule page on www.gocreighton.com also. Make sure to check in after the game for statistics on your favorite Jays.
Last Time Out
Creighton played a series with BYU, marking the first meetings between the two schools in history. Creighton held off a tough squad on day one, but poor pitching gave the Cougars the 11-4 victory on day two.
Last Time Out
Creighton 6, BYU 5 - The Jays scored early and then held off an upset bid by the Cougars in the top of the ninth to win 6-5 at home. The Jays scored two runs in the bottom of the first, as Trever Adams ripped a two out home run down the left field line, scoring Jimmy Swift. After the Cougars tied the game in the top of the second, Creighton added single runs in the third and fourth, with Michael Mutcheson scoring in the third and Alex Staehely in the fourth. The Jays again gave up the lead, as BYU took the lead on a solo home run by Alex Wolfe going into the bottom of the seventh. Creighton scored two runs thanks to Swift, who knocked in his 16th RBI of the season, scoring Nick Judkins after a lead-off triple, and then was scored when Adams picked up his fourth hit of the day. Mark Winkelman and Reese McGraw combined to throw in the ninth, earning the win by stranding runners on all three bases.
Creighton 4, BYU 11 - BYU took the lead in the top of the first by putting up seven runs on the board and never looked back. BYU scored a season high 11 runs on 17 hits, including two three-run home runs from Jaycob Brugman to take the series finale from the Jays. Creighton's runs came in the bottom of the third, fourth and ninth. Jimmy Swift finished the day with two hits and an RBI, while Gabriel Thibodeaux put up the same stats. The Jays had eight hits and nine strikeouts.
Scouting Creighton
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 Trever Adams, Alex Staehely and Michael Mutcheson. 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, second on the team with a .338 batting average and a hit in 16 of the 21 games. Adams has improved his batting average almost .300 points after a slow start. He leads the team in batting average (.351), home runs (3) and triples (3). Mutcheson leads the team in on bast percentage, with a .455 and has been hit by pitch six different times. Overall, the team is hitting .281 with 108 runs on 178 hits and 35 doubles. The Jays have had solid pitching performances on the mound already this season. Jonas Dufek and Greg Hellhake have already set career strikeout records, with 13 and six, respectively while Ty Blach 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 season in 13.2 innings pitched. The pitching staff has a combined 3.09 ERA and is holding opponents to a .235 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 .637 winning percentage while at the helm of the Jays, which is the second best in school history. Servais needs just 13 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.
Jeff Dodson (North Dakota) - Dodson officially became the first Division I baseball coach in the history of UND when he was hired on June 20, 2008. In his second season, his squad increased its win total by five games to 19. He coached Jake Magner, four time National Player of the Week during that season, the first UND player to earn the award. Prior to his time in Grand Forks, Dodson was an assistant at Southeast Missouri State. He recruited and signed three All-Americans. Dodson also spent time at Martin Methodist and Bevill State, as head coaches at both schools. He is assisted by J.C. Field and Brian DeVillers.
Tod Brown (North Dakota State) - Coach Brown is in his fourth season at the helm of Bison baseball, helping the team make the transition from Division II to Division I and the Summit League. He has been part of the equipment upgrades, new uniforms and travel gear to help establish the team's identity. He has also improved the team's GPA to 3.1. He won a program-best 22 games in 2010. Brown was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Bowling Green and also a pitching coach at Sabino High School. A former volunteer coach at Arizona, Brown played for the Wildcats, winning the 1992 Pac-10 championship. Brown is assisted by Jake Angier, David Pearson and Kole Zimmerman.
Jays vs. the Great West
Creighton and the Great West do not have a big history, with the only games between the two schools played in 2009, a split with North Dakota. The Fighting Sioux had just become part of the Great West in July of 2008, after making the jump from Division II to Division I. The Jays, thus, are 1-1 against teams from the Great West Conference.
Jays vs. The Summit League
Creighton holds a 49-32 lead over teams from the Summit League, including sweeping South Dakota State in three games the second weekend in March at the CU Sports Complex. In the last three seasons, Creighton has defeated NDSU twice, 2-0 and 1-0 in 2008, while defeating SDSU eight of nine times.
The Series
Creighton vs. North Dakota - The Jays and Fighting Sioux have met on the baseball field four times in the history of the school. All four meetings have been in Omaha, with Creighton holding a 3-1 advantage. The two teams played in 2009, with each team winning a game. The Jays won the opener 13-6, but then fell 6-7 in game two.
Creighton vs. North Dakota State - Creighton and North Daktoa State have met 24 times in history between the schools, but just twice since the Bison have made the move to Division I. Creighton holds a 21-3 overall record over the Bison, including a perfect 16-0 under Ed Servais. Creighton is 10-0 at home under Servais and 6-0 when playing in Fargo. Creighton defeated NDSU 2-0 and 1-0 when the two teams last played, in Omaha in 2008.
Home Field Advantage
Creighton is 4-1 already this season at home, losing just one against BYU on March 22. In the last 10 seasons, Creighton has a .677 winning percentage when playing at home, winning 147 of 217 home games. Creighton's best season at home was in 2003, when the Jays went 21-3 from home. Under Ed Servais, the Jays are 125-49 when playing at home. Below is the home record in each of the last 10 seasons.
2011 4-1
2010 10-14
2009 15-8
2008 22-6
2007 22-4
2006 12-7
2005 21-3
2004 19-6
2003 6-14
2002 16-7
Chicks Dig the Long Ball
After starting the 2011 season just two of 21 in the first five games, senior Trever Adams has connected and found his stride, going 29 of 61 in the last 16 games, (.322) and recording multi-hit games in half of the 16 games. He has seven doubles, three triples and four home runs in that time span, getting a hit in 15 of the 16 games.
Two and Bar-B-Que
Head coach Ed Servais has done an impressive job of getting his teams refocused after losing a home game. In the time he has been at Creighton, the team has only lost back-to-back home games eight times, including going the 2004 and 2007 without dropping multiple games at home in a row. Last season, Creighton dropped four back-to-back games, including a four game skid with the Wichita State series being three of the four.
2010 4 times
2009 one time
2008 one time
2007 none
2006 two times
2005 one time
2004 none
Dufek's Dominance
Creighton's senior pitcher Jonas Dufek turned in another stellar performance in Saturday's win over Valparaiso. After improving his career strikeout numbers from nine to 11 in the Canisius game (Feb. 19), Dufek struck out 13 Crusader batters while giving up just one hit in the game. He pitched Creighton's first complete game of the season, and first since last year.
Look Alikes
Creighton is now 16-5 on the season entering today's games, their best start since the 2006 season when the Jays reached the 17 win mark with just five losses. During Ed Servais' tenure, this ranks as the second-best overall start. The only team in the last 20 years to reach 17 wins with just four losses? The 1991 College World Series Bluejay team.
Free Baseball
The Jays have played three extra-inning games this season and are a perfect 3-0 in each game. Creighton has been the visiting team in each extra inning game, defeating Kansas 4-3, New Mexico 8-7 and SIU Edwardsville 4-3 on their respective home fields. Creighton played in six extra frame games last season, splitting a perfect 3-3 on the games.
Taking Extra BP
Two Bluejays, senior Trever Adams and spohomore Alex Staehely are in the top three in the Valley in multi-hit games, with Adams putting together 10 on the season and Staehely one-upping him with 11. In the first game with BYU, the two were a combined seven for seven, each with a double while Adams drove out his fourth home run of the season.
Use Your Brain
Adding to Creighton's list of accolades already this season is sophomore Alex Staehely. The Bluejay second baseman was named Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week this week (along with Bluejay softball player Christa Ruf), marking the second straight week a baseball player has received the award. Staehely had three hits, including two doubles and two runs batted in, as the Jays defeated Air Force, Valparaiso and SIU Edwardsville. He holds a 3.50 gpa in economics/finance.
Roles Reversed
Creighton hit into three ground ball double plays in the games on Saturday, the most in a single day all season. The Jays have been doubled up 18 times this season. A perennial power in the double play category, the Jays have turned an equal 18 this season. Creighton's defense remains one of the top in the country, with a .977 fielding percentage, committing just 17 errors in it's 19 games.
Soft Hands
Creighton first baseman Nick Judkins has a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, with a team and MVC leading 195 chances with 181 put outs and 14 attempts. A Gold Glove winner at Iowa Central Community College, the right handed Judkins has been a part of 17 double plays and can field his spot, as he has played other positions on the infield through his career.
Speed Demons
The Jays defeated Valparaiso in one hour and 25 minutes on Saturday. The 85 minute game is one of the fastest nine-inning game in the history of baseball, professional included. There was an MLB game recorded as finishing in 89 minutes, but there is no record of a faster nine-inning NCAA game. Jonas Dufek pitched the complete game, two hitter for the Jays, striking out 13 in the 1-0 win.
No Free Tickets
Creighton has been pretty good at taking advantage of the opponents erratic pitching. The team has racked up 57 walks and 28 hit by pitch, led in walks by five different players with six, and Michael Mutcheson in hit by pitch, with six also. In the first game on Saturday, however, the Jays did not reach base once on a free-pass, the first time this season that has happened to the Jays.
Against the Field
The Missouri Valley Conference holds a winnisn record against 13 leagues in non-conference play. The Jays have played seven of the 13 leagues, playing against the Big 12, Horizon, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mountain West, Ohio Valley and Summit leagues.
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.
2-2-2
Creighton's Michael Blatchford has had a good streak in his first at-bat of the season. Last year, as a freshman in his first ever collegiate at-bat, Blatchford knocked in his first homerun of his career. In the game at Air Force on March 16, Blatchford's first at-bat of the 2011 season resulted in the same way, a homerun over the left center field fence. Two season opening at bat homeruns in back to back seasons, not too shabby.
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.
Small Ball
With the first set of NCAA statistics to be released next week, the Jays are sure to be in the top of the lists in sacrifices thus far this season. The Jays have 23 sacrifices on the season and nine sacrifice fly's. Leading the way is Nick Judkins. The junior college transfer, who usually hits in the number two position, has six sacrifices on the season and one sacrifice fly. With the change of the bat, many teams will turn to the bunt, although anyone familiar with Creighton baseball knows Ed Servais has always been a fan of getting a runner on and moving them over.
UPCOMING MVC SCHEDULE
3/24/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 3 PM
3/25/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 3 PM
Indiana State at Illinois 3 PM
Missouri State at Oral Roberts 3 PM
Purdue at Bradley 5 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 8 PM
3/26/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 1 PM
Indiana State at Illinois 1 PM
Purdue at Bradley 1 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 1 PM
Indiana at Evansville 1 PM
Oakland at Illinois State 2 PM
Oral Roberts at Missouri State 2 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 2 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 4 PM
Indiana at Evansville 4 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 5 PM
3/27/11
Indiana State at Illinois 12 PM
Indiana at Evansville 12 PM
Oakland at Illinois State 1 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 1 PM
Bradley at Purdue 1 PM
Oral Roberts at Missouri State 1 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 3 PM
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.
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.
It's A First
Monday games are not very common for the Jays this season, while Tuesday games are just as sparse. Thus far on the season, the Jays are 1-1 when playing on Monday's and Tuesday's, winning their only Tuesday game (at Kansas on Feb. 22) and falling at Arkansas State during Spring Break trip on Monday, March 7.
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.
Smarty Pants
Ty Blach, a sophomore southpaw from Centennial, Colo., has been named the Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week, named on Wednesday, March 16. The pitcher struck out a career high eight batters in the 6-0 win over South Dakota State on March 12. Blach has a 3.812 gpa in business
D-D-D, D-Fence
The Jays are again on the top of the lists in fielding percentage in the conference. OVerall, Creighton has a .976 fielding percentage (as of March 17, 2011), committing just 16 errors (.941 per game).
Touch 'em All
For the first time this season, the Jays had multiple homeruns in a single game in the 11-9 win at Air Force on Wednesday. After Michael Blatchford knocked a ball over the fence in the fourth, Chance Ross unleashed on a ball that went over the 400 foot deep, 30 foot high center field hitter's eye at Air Force.
Follow the Jays
Follow the Jays all week through live stats at www.gocreighton.com. Click on the link on the right side of the front page to follow all the action of Creighton baseball vs. North Dakota and North Dakota State baseball while at home. The games will also be broadcast on KOIL 1180 AM. A link for that is on the baseball schedule page on www.gocreighton.com also. Make sure to check in after the game for statistics on your favorite Jays.
Last Time Out
Creighton played a series with BYU, marking the first meetings between the two schools in history. Creighton held off a tough squad on day one, but poor pitching gave the Cougars the 11-4 victory on day two.
Last Time Out
Creighton 6, BYU 5 - The Jays scored early and then held off an upset bid by the Cougars in the top of the ninth to win 6-5 at home. The Jays scored two runs in the bottom of the first, as Trever Adams ripped a two out home run down the left field line, scoring Jimmy Swift. After the Cougars tied the game in the top of the second, Creighton added single runs in the third and fourth, with Michael Mutcheson scoring in the third and Alex Staehely in the fourth. The Jays again gave up the lead, as BYU took the lead on a solo home run by Alex Wolfe going into the bottom of the seventh. Creighton scored two runs thanks to Swift, who knocked in his 16th RBI of the season, scoring Nick Judkins after a lead-off triple, and then was scored when Adams picked up his fourth hit of the day. Mark Winkelman and Reese McGraw combined to throw in the ninth, earning the win by stranding runners on all three bases.
Creighton 4, BYU 11 - BYU took the lead in the top of the first by putting up seven runs on the board and never looked back. BYU scored a season high 11 runs on 17 hits, including two three-run home runs from Jaycob Brugman to take the series finale from the Jays. Creighton's runs came in the bottom of the third, fourth and ninth. Jimmy Swift finished the day with two hits and an RBI, while Gabriel Thibodeaux put up the same stats. The Jays had eight hits and nine strikeouts.
Scouting CreightonCreighton 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 Trever Adams, Alex Staehely and Michael Mutcheson. 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, second on the team with a .338 batting average and a hit in 16 of the 21 games. Adams has improved his batting average almost .300 points after a slow start. He leads the team in batting average (.351), home runs (3) and triples (3). Mutcheson leads the team in on bast percentage, with a .455 and has been hit by pitch six different times. Overall, the team is hitting .281 with 108 runs on 178 hits and 35 doubles. The Jays have had solid pitching performances on the mound already this season. Jonas Dufek and Greg Hellhake have already set career strikeout records, with 13 and six, respectively while Ty Blach 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 season in 13.2 innings pitched. The pitching staff has a combined 3.09 ERA and is holding opponents to a .235 batting average against.
Follow the Jays all week through live stats at www.gocreighton.com. Click on the link on the right side of the front page to follow all the action of Creighton baseball vs. North Dakota and North Dakota State baseball while at home. The games will also be broadcast on KOIL 1180 AM. A link for that is on the baseball schedule page on www.gocreighton.com also. Make sure to check in after the game for statistics on your favorite Jays.
Last Time Out
Creighton played a series with BYU, marking the first meetings between the two schools in history. Creighton held off a tough squad on day one, but poor pitching gave the Cougars the 11-4 victory on day two.
Last Time Out
Creighton 6, BYU 5 - The Jays scored early and then held off an upset bid by the Cougars in the top of the ninth to win 6-5 at home. The Jays scored two runs in the bottom of the first, as Trever Adams ripped a two out home run down the left field line, scoring Jimmy Swift. After the Cougars tied the game in the top of the second, Creighton added single runs in the third and fourth, with Michael Mutcheson scoring in the third and Alex Staehely in the fourth. The Jays again gave up the lead, as BYU took the lead on a solo home run by Alex Wolfe going into the bottom of the seventh. Creighton scored two runs thanks to Swift, who knocked in his 16th RBI of the season, scoring Nick Judkins after a lead-off triple, and then was scored when Adams picked up his fourth hit of the day. Mark Winkelman and Reese McGraw combined to throw in the ninth, earning the win by stranding runners on all three bases.
Creighton 4, BYU 11 - BYU took the lead in the top of the first by putting up seven runs on the board and never looked back. BYU scored a season high 11 runs on 17 hits, including two three-run home runs from Jaycob Brugman to take the series finale from the Jays. Creighton's runs came in the bottom of the third, fourth and ninth. Jimmy Swift finished the day with two hits and an RBI, while Gabriel Thibodeaux put up the same stats. The Jays had eight hits and nine strikeouts.
Scouting CreightonCreighton 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 Trever Adams, Alex Staehely and Michael Mutcheson. 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, second on the team with a .338 batting average and a hit in 16 of the 21 games. Adams has improved his batting average almost .300 points after a slow start. He leads the team in batting average (.351), home runs (3) and triples (3). Mutcheson leads the team in on bast percentage, with a .455 and has been hit by pitch six different times. Overall, the team is hitting .281 with 108 runs on 178 hits and 35 doubles. The Jays have had solid pitching performances on the mound already this season. Jonas Dufek and Greg Hellhake have already set career strikeout records, with 13 and six, respectively while Ty Blach 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 season in 13.2 innings pitched. The pitching staff has a combined 3.09 ERA and is holding opponents to a .235 batting average against.
Scouting the Fighting Sioux
North Dakota is off to a rough start this season, after finishing last season 19-35 and 5th in the Great West. Head Coach Jeff Dodson is in his third season at the helm of the Fighting Sioux, returning 18 players from last season's squad. The team this year is led by Andy Sadler, the only UND player batting over .300. Sadler is hitting .359 with two doubles and a triple. Four different Fighting Sioux have a single home run on the season, while Kris Kwak leads the team with three doubles. UND is hitting .227 as a team with 47 runs on 114 hits. The pitching staff has one player with a win, senior Brandon Baumgartner. The staff holds a 9.17 ERA. UND was swept in four games at Nebraska in their last outing.
Last Time Out
The Fighting Sioux took on Nebraska in a four game series, dropping all four including giving up five unanswered runs in the eighth and ninth innings of the final game to fall 8-6 in game four. The Sioux held a three-run advantage for the second straight game against the Huskers, but couldn't hold it. Starter David Spies pitched into the eighth inning, but gave up a leadoff single and then intentionally walked the next batter. After hitting a batter, reliever Zac Salfer got a Husker batter to ground into what looked would be an inning-ending double play, but an errant throw on the relay by Kris Kwak allowed the go-ahead runs to score for the Huskers.
North Dakota is off to a rough start this season, after finishing last season 19-35 and 5th in the Great West. Head Coach Jeff Dodson is in his third season at the helm of the Fighting Sioux, returning 18 players from last season's squad. The team this year is led by Andy Sadler, the only UND player batting over .300. Sadler is hitting .359 with two doubles and a triple. Four different Fighting Sioux have a single home run on the season, while Kris Kwak leads the team with three doubles. UND is hitting .227 as a team with 47 runs on 114 hits. The pitching staff has one player with a win, senior Brandon Baumgartner. The staff holds a 9.17 ERA. UND was swept in four games at Nebraska in their last outing.
Last Time Out
The Fighting Sioux took on Nebraska in a four game series, dropping all four including giving up five unanswered runs in the eighth and ninth innings of the final game to fall 8-6 in game four. The Sioux held a three-run advantage for the second straight game against the Huskers, but couldn't hold it. Starter David Spies pitched into the eighth inning, but gave up a leadoff single and then intentionally walked the next batter. After hitting a batter, reliever Zac Salfer got a Husker batter to ground into what looked would be an inning-ending double play, but an errant throw on the relay by Kris Kwak allowed the go-ahead runs to score for the Huskers.
Scouting the Bison
After starting off the season winless in 13 straight, including games at Arizona and two 11-inning losses, the Bison have won two of the last four games, both in Florida during Spring break. The Bison sit at 2-15 on the season and return seven starters and seven regular pitchers from last season's team that finished 22-30. NDSU holds a .255 team batting average, with Zach Wentz and Nick Colwell leading the charge, the only two with batting averages over .300 (.380 and .302, respectively). The team has just four total home runs, but has excelled in doubles this season, with 25 as a team, led by Wentz with eight. The team averages 2.4 walks per game and 8.7 stikeouts. On the mound this season, the Bison pitching staff holds a 6.88 ERA vs. the 2.71 of opponents. Mark Hermes and Kyle Kingsley are the only two Bison with wins on the season, with Hermes starting five games and throwing one complete game already this season. They have allowed 21 of 32 runners to steal a base this season, while turning 10 double plays as a team. The team has 20 errors in the 17 games, for a .967 fielding percentage.
Last Time Out
The Bison had a mid-week series cancelled at Minnesota last week, but defeated Butler 15-2 to close out their Spring break trip. NDSU pounded out 22 hits in the victory, with Zach Wentz extending his hit streak to 14 games, finishing the day 4-for-6. Tim Colwell had an RBI double, his 10th straight game with a hit, while Zach Heidmann was 3-for-4 and Blak Turbak was 3-for-5. NDSU starter Mark Hermes pitched five innings for his first win of the year and allowed two runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
After starting off the season winless in 13 straight, including games at Arizona and two 11-inning losses, the Bison have won two of the last four games, both in Florida during Spring break. The Bison sit at 2-15 on the season and return seven starters and seven regular pitchers from last season's team that finished 22-30. NDSU holds a .255 team batting average, with Zach Wentz and Nick Colwell leading the charge, the only two with batting averages over .300 (.380 and .302, respectively). The team has just four total home runs, but has excelled in doubles this season, with 25 as a team, led by Wentz with eight. The team averages 2.4 walks per game and 8.7 stikeouts. On the mound this season, the Bison pitching staff holds a 6.88 ERA vs. the 2.71 of opponents. Mark Hermes and Kyle Kingsley are the only two Bison with wins on the season, with Hermes starting five games and throwing one complete game already this season. They have allowed 21 of 32 runners to steal a base this season, while turning 10 double plays as a team. The team has 20 errors in the 17 games, for a .967 fielding percentage.
Last Time Out
The Bison had a mid-week series cancelled at Minnesota last week, but defeated Butler 15-2 to close out their Spring break trip. NDSU pounded out 22 hits in the victory, with Zach Wentz extending his hit streak to 14 games, finishing the day 4-for-6. Tim Colwell had an RBI double, his 10th straight game with a hit, while Zach Heidmann was 3-for-4 and Blak Turbak was 3-for-5. NDSU starter Mark Hermes pitched five innings for his first win of the year and allowed two runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
Meet the Coaches
Ed Servais (Creighton) - Ed Servais enters his eighth season leading the Creighton baseball program in 2011. He currently holds a .637 winning percentage while at the helm of the Jays, which is the second best in school history. Servais needs just 13 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.
Jeff Dodson (North Dakota) - Dodson officially became the first Division I baseball coach in the history of UND when he was hired on June 20, 2008. In his second season, his squad increased its win total by five games to 19. He coached Jake Magner, four time National Player of the Week during that season, the first UND player to earn the award. Prior to his time in Grand Forks, Dodson was an assistant at Southeast Missouri State. He recruited and signed three All-Americans. Dodson also spent time at Martin Methodist and Bevill State, as head coaches at both schools. He is assisted by J.C. Field and Brian DeVillers.
Tod Brown (North Dakota State) - Coach Brown is in his fourth season at the helm of Bison baseball, helping the team make the transition from Division II to Division I and the Summit League. He has been part of the equipment upgrades, new uniforms and travel gear to help establish the team's identity. He has also improved the team's GPA to 3.1. He won a program-best 22 games in 2010. Brown was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Bowling Green and also a pitching coach at Sabino High School. A former volunteer coach at Arizona, Brown played for the Wildcats, winning the 1992 Pac-10 championship. Brown is assisted by Jake Angier, David Pearson and Kole Zimmerman.
Jays vs. the Great West
Creighton and the Great West do not have a big history, with the only games between the two schools played in 2009, a split with North Dakota. The Fighting Sioux had just become part of the Great West in July of 2008, after making the jump from Division II to Division I. The Jays, thus, are 1-1 against teams from the Great West Conference.
Jays vs. The Summit League
Creighton holds a 49-32 lead over teams from the Summit League, including sweeping South Dakota State in three games the second weekend in March at the CU Sports Complex. In the last three seasons, Creighton has defeated NDSU twice, 2-0 and 1-0 in 2008, while defeating SDSU eight of nine times.
The Series
Creighton vs. North Dakota - The Jays and Fighting Sioux have met on the baseball field four times in the history of the school. All four meetings have been in Omaha, with Creighton holding a 3-1 advantage. The two teams played in 2009, with each team winning a game. The Jays won the opener 13-6, but then fell 6-7 in game two.
Creighton vs. North Dakota State - Creighton and North Daktoa State have met 24 times in history between the schools, but just twice since the Bison have made the move to Division I. Creighton holds a 21-3 overall record over the Bison, including a perfect 16-0 under Ed Servais. Creighton is 10-0 at home under Servais and 6-0 when playing in Fargo. Creighton defeated NDSU 2-0 and 1-0 when the two teams last played, in Omaha in 2008.
Home Field Advantage
Creighton is 4-1 already this season at home, losing just one against BYU on March 22. In the last 10 seasons, Creighton has a .677 winning percentage when playing at home, winning 147 of 217 home games. Creighton's best season at home was in 2003, when the Jays went 21-3 from home. Under Ed Servais, the Jays are 125-49 when playing at home. Below is the home record in each of the last 10 seasons.
2011 4-1
2010 10-14
2009 15-8
2008 22-6
2007 22-4
2006 12-7
2005 21-3
2004 19-6
2003 6-14
2002 16-7
Chicks Dig the Long Ball
After starting the 2011 season just two of 21 in the first five games, senior Trever Adams has connected and found his stride, going 29 of 61 in the last 16 games, (.322) and recording multi-hit games in half of the 16 games. He has seven doubles, three triples and four home runs in that time span, getting a hit in 15 of the 16 games.
Two and Bar-B-Que
Head coach Ed Servais has done an impressive job of getting his teams refocused after losing a home game. In the time he has been at Creighton, the team has only lost back-to-back home games eight times, including going the 2004 and 2007 without dropping multiple games at home in a row. Last season, Creighton dropped four back-to-back games, including a four game skid with the Wichita State series being three of the four.
2010 4 times
2009 one time
2008 one time
2007 none
2006 two times
2005 one time
2004 none
Dufek's Dominance
Creighton's senior pitcher Jonas Dufek turned in another stellar performance in Saturday's win over Valparaiso. After improving his career strikeout numbers from nine to 11 in the Canisius game (Feb. 19), Dufek struck out 13 Crusader batters while giving up just one hit in the game. He pitched Creighton's first complete game of the season, and first since last year.
Look Alikes
Creighton is now 16-5 on the season entering today's games, their best start since the 2006 season when the Jays reached the 17 win mark with just five losses. During Ed Servais' tenure, this ranks as the second-best overall start. The only team in the last 20 years to reach 17 wins with just four losses? The 1991 College World Series Bluejay team.
Free Baseball
The Jays have played three extra-inning games this season and are a perfect 3-0 in each game. Creighton has been the visiting team in each extra inning game, defeating Kansas 4-3, New Mexico 8-7 and SIU Edwardsville 4-3 on their respective home fields. Creighton played in six extra frame games last season, splitting a perfect 3-3 on the games.
Taking Extra BP
Two Bluejays, senior Trever Adams and spohomore Alex Staehely are in the top three in the Valley in multi-hit games, with Adams putting together 10 on the season and Staehely one-upping him with 11. In the first game with BYU, the two were a combined seven for seven, each with a double while Adams drove out his fourth home run of the season.
Use Your Brain
Adding to Creighton's list of accolades already this season is sophomore Alex Staehely. The Bluejay second baseman was named Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week this week (along with Bluejay softball player Christa Ruf), marking the second straight week a baseball player has received the award. Staehely had three hits, including two doubles and two runs batted in, as the Jays defeated Air Force, Valparaiso and SIU Edwardsville. He holds a 3.50 gpa in economics/finance.
Roles Reversed
Creighton hit into three ground ball double plays in the games on Saturday, the most in a single day all season. The Jays have been doubled up 18 times this season. A perennial power in the double play category, the Jays have turned an equal 18 this season. Creighton's defense remains one of the top in the country, with a .977 fielding percentage, committing just 17 errors in it's 19 games.
Soft Hands
Creighton first baseman Nick Judkins has a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, with a team and MVC leading 195 chances with 181 put outs and 14 attempts. A Gold Glove winner at Iowa Central Community College, the right handed Judkins has been a part of 17 double plays and can field his spot, as he has played other positions on the infield through his career.
Speed Demons
The Jays defeated Valparaiso in one hour and 25 minutes on Saturday. The 85 minute game is one of the fastest nine-inning game in the history of baseball, professional included. There was an MLB game recorded as finishing in 89 minutes, but there is no record of a faster nine-inning NCAA game. Jonas Dufek pitched the complete game, two hitter for the Jays, striking out 13 in the 1-0 win.
No Free Tickets
Creighton has been pretty good at taking advantage of the opponents erratic pitching. The team has racked up 57 walks and 28 hit by pitch, led in walks by five different players with six, and Michael Mutcheson in hit by pitch, with six also. In the first game on Saturday, however, the Jays did not reach base once on a free-pass, the first time this season that has happened to the Jays.
Against the Field
The Missouri Valley Conference holds a winnisn record against 13 leagues in non-conference play. The Jays have played seven of the 13 leagues, playing against the Big 12, Horizon, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mountain West, Ohio Valley and Summit leagues.
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.
2-2-2
Creighton's Michael Blatchford has had a good streak in his first at-bat of the season. Last year, as a freshman in his first ever collegiate at-bat, Blatchford knocked in his first homerun of his career. In the game at Air Force on March 16, Blatchford's first at-bat of the 2011 season resulted in the same way, a homerun over the left center field fence. Two season opening at bat homeruns in back to back seasons, not too shabby.
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.
Small Ball
With the first set of NCAA statistics to be released next week, the Jays are sure to be in the top of the lists in sacrifices thus far this season. The Jays have 23 sacrifices on the season and nine sacrifice fly's. Leading the way is Nick Judkins. The junior college transfer, who usually hits in the number two position, has six sacrifices on the season and one sacrifice fly. With the change of the bat, many teams will turn to the bunt, although anyone familiar with Creighton baseball knows Ed Servais has always been a fan of getting a runner on and moving them over.
UPCOMING MVC SCHEDULE
3/24/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 3 PM
3/25/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 3 PM
Indiana State at Illinois 3 PM
Missouri State at Oral Roberts 3 PM
Purdue at Bradley 5 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 8 PM
3/26/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 1 PM
Indiana State at Illinois 1 PM
Purdue at Bradley 1 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 1 PM
Indiana at Evansville 1 PM
Oakland at Illinois State 2 PM
Oral Roberts at Missouri State 2 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 2 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 4 PM
Indiana at Evansville 4 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 5 PM
3/27/11
Indiana State at Illinois 12 PM
Indiana at Evansville 12 PM
Oakland at Illinois State 1 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 1 PM
Bradley at Purdue 1 PM
Oral Roberts at Missouri State 1 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 3 PM
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.
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.
It's A First
Monday games are not very common for the Jays this season, while Tuesday games are just as sparse. Thus far on the season, the Jays are 1-1 when playing on Monday's and Tuesday's, winning their only Tuesday game (at Kansas on Feb. 22) and falling at Arkansas State during Spring Break trip on Monday, March 7.
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.
Smarty Pants
Ty Blach, a sophomore southpaw from Centennial, Colo., has been named the Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week, named on Wednesday, March 16. The pitcher struck out a career high eight batters in the 6-0 win over South Dakota State on March 12. Blach has a 3.812 gpa in business
D-D-D, D-Fence
The Jays are again on the top of the lists in fielding percentage in the conference. OVerall, Creighton has a .976 fielding percentage (as of March 17, 2011), committing just 16 errors (.941 per game).
Touch 'em All
For the first time this season, the Jays had multiple homeruns in a single game in the 11-9 win at Air Force on Wednesday. After Michael Blatchford knocked a ball over the fence in the fourth, Chance Ross unleashed on a ball that went over the 400 foot deep, 30 foot high center field hitter's eye at Air Force.
Ed Servais (Creighton) - Ed Servais enters his eighth season leading the Creighton baseball program in 2011. He currently holds a .637 winning percentage while at the helm of the Jays, which is the second best in school history. Servais needs just 13 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.
Jeff Dodson (North Dakota) - Dodson officially became the first Division I baseball coach in the history of UND when he was hired on June 20, 2008. In his second season, his squad increased its win total by five games to 19. He coached Jake Magner, four time National Player of the Week during that season, the first UND player to earn the award. Prior to his time in Grand Forks, Dodson was an assistant at Southeast Missouri State. He recruited and signed three All-Americans. Dodson also spent time at Martin Methodist and Bevill State, as head coaches at both schools. He is assisted by J.C. Field and Brian DeVillers.
Tod Brown (North Dakota State) - Coach Brown is in his fourth season at the helm of Bison baseball, helping the team make the transition from Division II to Division I and the Summit League. He has been part of the equipment upgrades, new uniforms and travel gear to help establish the team's identity. He has also improved the team's GPA to 3.1. He won a program-best 22 games in 2010. Brown was the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Bowling Green and also a pitching coach at Sabino High School. A former volunteer coach at Arizona, Brown played for the Wildcats, winning the 1992 Pac-10 championship. Brown is assisted by Jake Angier, David Pearson and Kole Zimmerman.
Jays vs. the Great West
Creighton and the Great West do not have a big history, with the only games between the two schools played in 2009, a split with North Dakota. The Fighting Sioux had just become part of the Great West in July of 2008, after making the jump from Division II to Division I. The Jays, thus, are 1-1 against teams from the Great West Conference.
Jays vs. The Summit League
Creighton holds a 49-32 lead over teams from the Summit League, including sweeping South Dakota State in three games the second weekend in March at the CU Sports Complex. In the last three seasons, Creighton has defeated NDSU twice, 2-0 and 1-0 in 2008, while defeating SDSU eight of nine times.
The Series
Creighton vs. North Dakota - The Jays and Fighting Sioux have met on the baseball field four times in the history of the school. All four meetings have been in Omaha, with Creighton holding a 3-1 advantage. The two teams played in 2009, with each team winning a game. The Jays won the opener 13-6, but then fell 6-7 in game two.
Creighton vs. North Dakota State - Creighton and North Daktoa State have met 24 times in history between the schools, but just twice since the Bison have made the move to Division I. Creighton holds a 21-3 overall record over the Bison, including a perfect 16-0 under Ed Servais. Creighton is 10-0 at home under Servais and 6-0 when playing in Fargo. Creighton defeated NDSU 2-0 and 1-0 when the two teams last played, in Omaha in 2008.
Home Field Advantage
Creighton is 4-1 already this season at home, losing just one against BYU on March 22. In the last 10 seasons, Creighton has a .677 winning percentage when playing at home, winning 147 of 217 home games. Creighton's best season at home was in 2003, when the Jays went 21-3 from home. Under Ed Servais, the Jays are 125-49 when playing at home. Below is the home record in each of the last 10 seasons.
2011 4-1
2010 10-14
2009 15-8
2008 22-6
2007 22-4
2006 12-7
2005 21-3
2004 19-6
2003 6-14
2002 16-7
Chicks Dig the Long Ball
After starting the 2011 season just two of 21 in the first five games, senior Trever Adams has connected and found his stride, going 29 of 61 in the last 16 games, (.322) and recording multi-hit games in half of the 16 games. He has seven doubles, three triples and four home runs in that time span, getting a hit in 15 of the 16 games.
Two and Bar-B-Que
Head coach Ed Servais has done an impressive job of getting his teams refocused after losing a home game. In the time he has been at Creighton, the team has only lost back-to-back home games eight times, including going the 2004 and 2007 without dropping multiple games at home in a row. Last season, Creighton dropped four back-to-back games, including a four game skid with the Wichita State series being three of the four.
2010 4 times
2009 one time
2008 one time
2007 none
2006 two times
2005 one time
2004 none
Dufek's Dominance
Creighton's senior pitcher Jonas Dufek turned in another stellar performance in Saturday's win over Valparaiso. After improving his career strikeout numbers from nine to 11 in the Canisius game (Feb. 19), Dufek struck out 13 Crusader batters while giving up just one hit in the game. He pitched Creighton's first complete game of the season, and first since last year.
Look Alikes
Creighton is now 16-5 on the season entering today's games, their best start since the 2006 season when the Jays reached the 17 win mark with just five losses. During Ed Servais' tenure, this ranks as the second-best overall start. The only team in the last 20 years to reach 17 wins with just four losses? The 1991 College World Series Bluejay team.
Free Baseball
The Jays have played three extra-inning games this season and are a perfect 3-0 in each game. Creighton has been the visiting team in each extra inning game, defeating Kansas 4-3, New Mexico 8-7 and SIU Edwardsville 4-3 on their respective home fields. Creighton played in six extra frame games last season, splitting a perfect 3-3 on the games.
Taking Extra BP
Two Bluejays, senior Trever Adams and spohomore Alex Staehely are in the top three in the Valley in multi-hit games, with Adams putting together 10 on the season and Staehely one-upping him with 11. In the first game with BYU, the two were a combined seven for seven, each with a double while Adams drove out his fourth home run of the season.
Use Your Brain
Adding to Creighton's list of accolades already this season is sophomore Alex Staehely. The Bluejay second baseman was named Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week this week (along with Bluejay softball player Christa Ruf), marking the second straight week a baseball player has received the award. Staehely had three hits, including two doubles and two runs batted in, as the Jays defeated Air Force, Valparaiso and SIU Edwardsville. He holds a 3.50 gpa in economics/finance.
Roles Reversed
Creighton hit into three ground ball double plays in the games on Saturday, the most in a single day all season. The Jays have been doubled up 18 times this season. A perennial power in the double play category, the Jays have turned an equal 18 this season. Creighton's defense remains one of the top in the country, with a .977 fielding percentage, committing just 17 errors in it's 19 games.
Soft Hands
Creighton first baseman Nick Judkins has a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, with a team and MVC leading 195 chances with 181 put outs and 14 attempts. A Gold Glove winner at Iowa Central Community College, the right handed Judkins has been a part of 17 double plays and can field his spot, as he has played other positions on the infield through his career.
Speed Demons
The Jays defeated Valparaiso in one hour and 25 minutes on Saturday. The 85 minute game is one of the fastest nine-inning game in the history of baseball, professional included. There was an MLB game recorded as finishing in 89 minutes, but there is no record of a faster nine-inning NCAA game. Jonas Dufek pitched the complete game, two hitter for the Jays, striking out 13 in the 1-0 win.
No Free Tickets
Creighton has been pretty good at taking advantage of the opponents erratic pitching. The team has racked up 57 walks and 28 hit by pitch, led in walks by five different players with six, and Michael Mutcheson in hit by pitch, with six also. In the first game on Saturday, however, the Jays did not reach base once on a free-pass, the first time this season that has happened to the Jays.
Against the Field
The Missouri Valley Conference holds a winnisn record against 13 leagues in non-conference play. The Jays have played seven of the 13 leagues, playing against the Big 12, Horizon, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mountain West, Ohio Valley and Summit leagues.
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.
2-2-2
Creighton's Michael Blatchford has had a good streak in his first at-bat of the season. Last year, as a freshman in his first ever collegiate at-bat, Blatchford knocked in his first homerun of his career. In the game at Air Force on March 16, Blatchford's first at-bat of the 2011 season resulted in the same way, a homerun over the left center field fence. Two season opening at bat homeruns in back to back seasons, not too shabby.
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.
Small Ball
With the first set of NCAA statistics to be released next week, the Jays are sure to be in the top of the lists in sacrifices thus far this season. The Jays have 23 sacrifices on the season and nine sacrifice fly's. Leading the way is Nick Judkins. The junior college transfer, who usually hits in the number two position, has six sacrifices on the season and one sacrifice fly. With the change of the bat, many teams will turn to the bunt, although anyone familiar with Creighton baseball knows Ed Servais has always been a fan of getting a runner on and moving them over.
UPCOMING MVC SCHEDULE
3/24/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 3 PM
3/25/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 3 PM
Indiana State at Illinois 3 PM
Missouri State at Oral Roberts 3 PM
Purdue at Bradley 5 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 8 PM
3/26/11
Dallas Baptist at Southern Illinois 1 PM
Indiana State at Illinois 1 PM
Purdue at Bradley 1 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 1 PM
Indiana at Evansville 1 PM
Oakland at Illinois State 2 PM
Oral Roberts at Missouri State 2 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 2 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 4 PM
Indiana at Evansville 4 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 5 PM
3/27/11
Indiana State at Illinois 12 PM
Indiana at Evansville 12 PM
Oakland at Illinois State 1 PM
North Dakota at Creighton 1 PM
Bradley at Purdue 1 PM
Oral Roberts at Missouri State 1 PM
No. 24 Wichita State at No. 30 Oregon 3 PM
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.
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.
It's A First
Monday games are not very common for the Jays this season, while Tuesday games are just as sparse. Thus far on the season, the Jays are 1-1 when playing on Monday's and Tuesday's, winning their only Tuesday game (at Kansas on Feb. 22) and falling at Arkansas State during Spring Break trip on Monday, March 7.
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.
Smarty Pants
Ty Blach, a sophomore southpaw from Centennial, Colo., has been named the Prairie Farms MVC Scholar Athlete of the Week, named on Wednesday, March 16. The pitcher struck out a career high eight batters in the 6-0 win over South Dakota State on March 12. Blach has a 3.812 gpa in business
D-D-D, D-Fence
The Jays are again on the top of the lists in fielding percentage in the conference. OVerall, Creighton has a .976 fielding percentage (as of March 17, 2011), committing just 16 errors (.941 per game).
Touch 'em All
For the first time this season, the Jays had multiple homeruns in a single game in the 11-9 win at Air Force on Wednesday. After Michael Blatchford knocked a ball over the fence in the fourth, Chance Ross unleashed on a ball that went over the 400 foot deep, 30 foot high center field hitter's eye at Air Force.
Overall 16-5
Non-Conference 16-5
MVC 0-0
MVC Tournament 0-0
vs. Ranked Teams 0-0
vs. Unranked Teams 16-5
Home 4-1
Away 10-3
Neutral 2-1
Day 16-5
Night 0-0
vs. Left 4-1
vs. Right 12-4
Friday 2-0
Saturday 7-0
Sunday 4-1
Monday 1-1 Tuesday 1-1 Wednesday 1-1
Thursday 0-0
1-Run Games 7-2
2-Run Games 1-1
5+ Run Games 3-1
In Extra Innings 3-0
Shutouts 4-0
Game 1 of MVC Series 0-0
Game 2 of MVC Series 0-0
Game 3 of MVC Series 0-0
Scoring First 10-3
When opponenet scores first 6-2
After 6 leading 11-1
After 6 trailing 2-3
After 6 tied 3-1
After 7 leading 12-0
After 7 trailing 1-4
After 7 tied 2-1
After 8 leading 13-0
After 8 trailing 0-4
After 8 tied 2-1
Last at-bat wins 0-0
Last at-bat losses 0-1
When hitting a homerun 6-2
When not hitting a homerun 10-3
When allowing a homerun 3-2
When not allowing a homerun 13-3
February 7-1
March 9-4
April 0-0
May 0-0
June 0-0
Non-Conference 16-5
MVC 0-0
MVC Tournament 0-0
vs. Ranked Teams 0-0
vs. Unranked Teams 16-5
Home 4-1
Away 10-3
Neutral 2-1
Day 16-5
Night 0-0
vs. Left 4-1
vs. Right 12-4
Friday 2-0
Saturday 7-0
Sunday 4-1
Monday 1-1 Tuesday 1-1 Wednesday 1-1
Thursday 0-0
1-Run Games 7-2
2-Run Games 1-1
5+ Run Games 3-1
In Extra Innings 3-0
Shutouts 4-0
Game 1 of MVC Series 0-0
Game 2 of MVC Series 0-0
Game 3 of MVC Series 0-0
Scoring First 10-3
When opponenet scores first 6-2
After 6 leading 11-1
After 6 trailing 2-3
After 6 tied 3-1
After 7 leading 12-0
After 7 trailing 1-4
After 7 tied 2-1
After 8 leading 13-0
After 8 trailing 0-4
After 8 tied 2-1
Last at-bat wins 0-0
Last at-bat losses 0-1
When hitting a homerun 6-2
When not hitting a homerun 10-3
When allowing a homerun 3-2
When not allowing a homerun 13-3
February 7-1
March 9-4
April 0-0
May 0-0
June 0-0
Trever Adams
• Preseason All-MVC
• March 14 - MVC Player of the Week
Ty Blach
• March 16 - Scholar Athlete of the Week
Jonas Dufek
• March 21 - MVC Pitcher of the Week
Reese McGraw
• Feb. 28 - MVC Pitcher of the Week
• March 2 - National Pitcher of the Week (collegebaseballinsider.com)
Alex Staehely
• March 21 - Scholar Athlete of the Week
Jimmy Swift
• Feb. 21 - Scholar Athlete of the Week
• Preseason All-MVC
• March 14 - MVC Player of the Week
Ty Blach
• March 16 - Scholar Athlete of the Week
Jonas Dufek
• March 21 - MVC Pitcher of the Week
Reese McGraw
• Feb. 28 - MVC Pitcher of the Week
• March 2 - National Pitcher of the Week (collegebaseballinsider.com)
Alex Staehely
• March 21 - Scholar Athlete of the Week
Jimmy Swift
• Feb. 21 - Scholar Athlete of the Week
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballRHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballLHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballLHP
/ 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
