Creighton University
Pacific
Baseball Falls 9-3 at Pacific
3/10/2012 5:03:00 PM | Baseball
STOCKTON, Calif. - Creighton baseball pushed across three runs in the first inning, but Pacific scored nine unanswered runs for a 9-3 Pacific win. The Tigers evened the weekend series at a game a piece, with the two teams to play the rubber match tomorrow afternoon.
The Bluejays fall to 6-6 on the season and look to close out the California trip on a strong note in the final game of the trip tomorrow.
Brad McKewon had a pair of hits and three different Jays scored in the game, but it wouldn't be enough for the Jays on Saturday afternoon. The Jays were outhit 16-6, surrendering a season high in hits.
The Bluejay hitters brought their bats early, scoring three runs on three doubles in the top of the first inning. Chance Ross again opened the game by reaching base safely, doubling into the right field corner. Anthony Bemboom then doubled to right centerfield, just over the glove of the right fielder, forcing Ross to nearly tag.
Nick Judkins joined the dou on base, picking up the first walk of the game to load the bases. Scott Thornburg then hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Ross and advancing Bemboom to third base. Another Bluejay double, this time by Mike Gerber, scored both Bemboom from third and Judkins from first. Creighton led 3-0 after the top of the first inning.
Pacific pushed across two runs in the bottom of the third inning to make it a one-run game. With one out, Josh Simms beat out an infield hit, stole second and advanced on a throwing error by Thornburg. A single through the left side by Dustin Torchio scored Simms. Torchio then stole second and advanced to third on a ground out from Brett Christopher to Andrew Urban on the mound. An Allen Riley single up the middle scored Torchio before Riley Drongesen flied out to center to end the inning.
The Bluejay defense helped Urban out a couple times in the early innings, as the infield turned a pair of double plays to strand Tigers on base. With one out and runners on the corners in the fourth, Urban forced Lockwood to hit a ground ball to Alex Staehely at short, and the junior picked up the ball, raced to step on second and threw Lockwood out at first. Creighton held onto the 3-2 lead after four complete.
Pacific took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring a pair of runs in the frame and adding three runs in the bottom of the sixth, using eight hits (four doubles) to score the runs. The Tigers knocked both Urban and Mark Winkelman off the hill, as Creighton brought in Chase Webb to close out the sixth inning and hold the Tigers scoreless in the seventh inning.
The two teams will wrap up the series tomorrow, with a 1:00 pm Central Time start. The Bluejays will then open play at home on Tuesday, hosting BYU in a 6:00 pm game at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
NOTES: Chance Ross continues to be a threat opening the ballgame. The senior has now reached base safely to lead off the game in the last four games straight, this time with a double down the right field line. He has twice walked and also hit a triple to lead off the first inning ... The Bluejays came into the game 12-15 in stolen bases, but the Jays were caught stealing twice on Saturday ... Freshman Mark Lukowski made his second appearance on the season in the eighth inning, surrendering two runs on three hits while striking out one.
