Baseball Hosts Nebraska, Faces South Dakota State on Midweek Slate
4/27/2015 7:33:00 PM | Baseball
OMAHA, Neb. - A five-game week kicks off with the final game of 2015 with Nebraska on Tuesday, April 28 at 6:00 pm. Creighton then battles South Dakota State on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:00 pm.
Nebraska at Creighton
April 28 @ 6:00 pm
Nebraska Leads Series, 86-42-2
Media Coverage
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: 1620 AM
Stats: http://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Creighton vs. South Dakota State
(in Sioux City, Iowa)
April 29 @ 6:00 pm
Creighton Leads Series, 19-5
April 29 @ 6:00 pm
Creighton Leads Series, 19-5
Media Coverage
TV: None
Radio: None
Audio: http://www.gojacks.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml
Stats: http://creighton.statbroadcast.com
TV: None
Radio: None
Audio: http://www.gojacks.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml
Stats: http://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Live Stats
Live stats for Creighton's game with Nebraska will be provided by at http://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Television Information
Tuesday's contest will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Carter Blackburn (Play-by-Play) and Ray King (Color Analyst) have the call. CBS Sports Network can be found in the Omaha area on the following channels.
Cable Provider SD HD
Cox 234 1234
Directv 221 221
Dish Network 158 158
Creighton vs. Nebraska Series:
Less than an hour apart, Creighton and Nebraska are familiar foes on the baseball field. Nebraska holds an 86-42-2 series edge on Creighton.
When playing in Omaha, the Huskers hold a 49-15-1 edge over the Bluejays. While in Lincoln Nebraska's edge is 37-27-1. Coach Servais is 12-23 versus Nebraska in his career.
The Huskers won the first two meetings of 2015 between the two squads, (5-1 on March 31 & 7-6 on April 14)
About Nebraska
Nebraska Head Coach: Darin Erstad
Scouting Nebraska (30-16, 6-9 Big Ten)
Nebraska enters Tuesday's contest coming off three tough losses at Iowa last weekend. The Huskers have dropped five of their last six games, including the last five in Big Ten play.
The Husker offense has managed just nine runs in those five losses, but exploded for 10 runs in the victory over Kansas State on Tuesday, April 21.
In the last meeting (a 7-6 Husker win) Nebraska took advantage of free bases (walks) in the second inning two plate two runs and put up four runs on five hits in the third inning. Nebraska, however, was shut down in the middle of the game by Connor Miller as the right-handed reliver set13 consecutive hitter from the third to the eighth innings.
Offensively Nebraska's Jake Placzek has killed the Bluejays over the past two seasons, driving in the game-winning run in both meetings last year as well as on April 14. Placzek is hitting .444 in two games against Creighton, but just .230 on the season.
Nebraska will send right-hander Garett King to the hill for the third consecutive start against the Bluejays. King threw 35 pitches on Sunday against Iowa, but he has held Creighton to just eight hits in 14.1 innings of work this season.
Creighton vs. South Dakota State Series
The Bluejays hold an 19-5 edge on South Dakota State, including victories in the last five meetings. Ed Servais has an 15-4 mark versus SDSU.
Creighton took the first meeting of 2015 by a 4-2 score on March 17. The first meeting between the two teams came in 1969 (a South Dakota State win, 3-2).
About South Dakota State
South Dakota State Head Coach: Dave Schrage
The Jackrabbits have started to come alive over the last two weeks as South Dakota State has won 11 of its last 14 games. The Jackrabbits came within a whisker of sweeping a road
series at Oral Roberts, falling 8-7 in 10-innings on Sunday. South Dakota State led that game 7-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
SDSU's offense is led by speedy center fielder Zach Coppola and his .401 average. Coppola has swiped 32 bags and has yet to be thrown out this season.
In the first meeting with Creighton the Bluejays held Coppola to a 1-for-4 day, with a stolen base. That gave him 10 stolen bases, in the 25 games since then, he has 22 stolen bags.
While Coppola sets the table, Luke Ringhofer has done the clearing for the Jackrabbits with a team high 32 RBI.
On the bump, Ethan Kenkel gets the call on Wednesday. Kenkel has thrown just 12 innings in eight appearances this season, but he has eight strikeouts.
Scouting Creighton (24-12, 8-3 BIG EAST)
This five-game week is one of the last hurdles in the Bluejays' season as Creighton faces
Nebraska, South Dakota State then heads to Seton Hall for a critical BIG EAST series.
With a 9-3 record over its last 12 games, Creighton has been relying heavily on their young pitching. Freshmen Rollie Lacy and Keith Rogalla have taken over as the front line of the Bluejay staff. Each hurler has claimed a BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week nod over the past three weeks, while Lacy is riding an 18-inning scoreless streak.
Offensively Creighton turned two runs in Sunday's doubleheader into a split thanks to a shutout in the finale. Junior Reagan Fowler has maintained the team lead in average at .310, but junior Brett Murray has the team lead in hits with 41.
Creighton used 10 pitchers in the last midweek game (Tuesday, April 21 against Omaha).
Expect a series of arms in both midweek contests this week.
Pass the Placzek
Hitting just .230 this season, Nebraska's Jake Placzek is the type of guy you intentionally walk someone else to get to, just not against the Bluejays. Over the last two seasons, Placzek is 6-for-16 with five RBI. Three of those RBI have proven to be game winners since 2014.
Woodrow Causing Shear Panic for Opposition
As the Bluejays leadoff hitter, sophomore
Daniel Woodrow is tasked with getting things started. His speed, 16 stolen bases, has other teams concerned. Against Butler he caused a bit of panic by smacking an RBI triple over the head of centerfielder, Tyler Houston.
Woodrow has reached base to open the game in three of Creighton's last four contests, scoring twice.
Lacy's Favorite is Tick, Tac, Zero
Freshman Rollie Lacy currently has a scoreless streak of 18-innings (18.2 to be exact). That number moved past teammate Matt Warren, who recorded 18 scoreless innings (18.0) last season. The Creighton record for consecutive scoreless innings was set by Pat Venditte during the 2007 season at 43 (43.2, but who's counting).
Bluejay Out to Stop Theif, Coppola
South Dakota State centerfielder Zach Coppola has raised the art of theft on the base paths to an art form, swiping 32 this season without getting caught. The Creighton tandem of Kevin Lamb and Joey Mancuso will keep their radars focused on Wednesday.
Ticket to Ride
The Bluejays ability to play quickly will be put to the test as Creighton faces Nebraska on Tuesday at 6 pm, loads the bus for the game with South Dakota State on Wednesday at 1:30 pm, then heads to the airport for a 7 am flight to New Jersey on Thursday.
Guess Who?
Last Tuesday Creighton fans welcomed senior Jack Rogalla for the first time at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha (TDAPO). In his second trip to the bump at TDAPO, Rogalla will get the start against the Huskers.
The Bluejays opening day starter and projected ace of the Creighton staff, Rogalla has been sidelined since the second week of the season with an elbow issue. On April 21 he pitched to two batters without any pain.
- Located in Lincoln, Nebraska
- Nebraska has an enrollment of 24,610.
- Known as the Huskers or Cornhuskers.
- Nebraska finished 2014 with an 41-21 record and an 18-6 mark in the Big Ten.
- The Huskers reached the NCAA Regionals last season.
- Nebraska was picked to finish second in the Big Ten preseason poll, behind only Maryland.
Nebraska Head Coach: Darin Erstad
- Played professsional baseball from 1995-2009.
- A two-time Major League All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Erstad spent the 2011 season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Husker program.
- Erstad has a career of 131-85 as the Huskers' head coach.
- No. 1 overall pick in the 1995 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
- Played both baseball and football for Nebraska.
Scouting Nebraska (30-16, 6-9 Big Ten)
Nebraska enters Tuesday's contest coming off three tough losses at Iowa last weekend. The Huskers have dropped five of their last six games, including the last five in Big Ten play.
The Husker offense has managed just nine runs in those five losses, but exploded for 10 runs in the victory over Kansas State on Tuesday, April 21.
In the last meeting (a 7-6 Husker win) Nebraska took advantage of free bases (walks) in the second inning two plate two runs and put up four runs on five hits in the third inning. Nebraska, however, was shut down in the middle of the game by Connor Miller as the right-handed reliver set13 consecutive hitter from the third to the eighth innings.
Offensively Nebraska's Jake Placzek has killed the Bluejays over the past two seasons, driving in the game-winning run in both meetings last year as well as on April 14. Placzek is hitting .444 in two games against Creighton, but just .230 on the season.
Nebraska will send right-hander Garett King to the hill for the third consecutive start against the Bluejays. King threw 35 pitches on Sunday against Iowa, but he has held Creighton to just eight hits in 14.1 innings of work this season.
Creighton vs. South Dakota State Series
The Bluejays hold an 19-5 edge on South Dakota State, including victories in the last five meetings. Ed Servais has an 15-4 mark versus SDSU.
Creighton took the first meeting of 2015 by a 4-2 score on March 17. The first meeting between the two teams came in 1969 (a South Dakota State win, 3-2).
About South Dakota State
- Located in Brookings, S.D.
- South Dakota State has an enrollment of 12,583.
- Known as the Jackrabbits.
- South Dakota State finished 2014 with an 28-29 record and an 11-11 mark in the Summit League.
- The Jackrabbits were picked to finish third in the six-team Summit League.
South Dakota State Head Coach: Dave Schrage
- Schrage has also been the head coach at
- Waldorf College: 61-66 (1988-90 )
- Northern Iowa: 211-292 (1991-99)
- Northern Illinois: 75-92 (2000-02)
- Evansville:130-108 (2003-06)
- Notre Dame: 119-104-1 (2007-10)
- He played at Creighton from 1979-83.and was an assistant coach for the Bluejays for two seasons.
The Jackrabbits have started to come alive over the last two weeks as South Dakota State has won 11 of its last 14 games. The Jackrabbits came within a whisker of sweeping a road
series at Oral Roberts, falling 8-7 in 10-innings on Sunday. South Dakota State led that game 7-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh.
SDSU's offense is led by speedy center fielder Zach Coppola and his .401 average. Coppola has swiped 32 bags and has yet to be thrown out this season.
In the first meeting with Creighton the Bluejays held Coppola to a 1-for-4 day, with a stolen base. That gave him 10 stolen bases, in the 25 games since then, he has 22 stolen bags.
While Coppola sets the table, Luke Ringhofer has done the clearing for the Jackrabbits with a team high 32 RBI.
On the bump, Ethan Kenkel gets the call on Wednesday. Kenkel has thrown just 12 innings in eight appearances this season, but he has eight strikeouts.
Scouting Creighton (24-12, 8-3 BIG EAST)
This five-game week is one of the last hurdles in the Bluejays' season as Creighton faces
Nebraska, South Dakota State then heads to Seton Hall for a critical BIG EAST series.
With a 9-3 record over its last 12 games, Creighton has been relying heavily on their young pitching. Freshmen Rollie Lacy and Keith Rogalla have taken over as the front line of the Bluejay staff. Each hurler has claimed a BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week nod over the past three weeks, while Lacy is riding an 18-inning scoreless streak.
Offensively Creighton turned two runs in Sunday's doubleheader into a split thanks to a shutout in the finale. Junior Reagan Fowler has maintained the team lead in average at .310, but junior Brett Murray has the team lead in hits with 41.
Creighton used 10 pitchers in the last midweek game (Tuesday, April 21 against Omaha).
Expect a series of arms in both midweek contests this week.
Pass the Placzek
Hitting just .230 this season, Nebraska's Jake Placzek is the type of guy you intentionally walk someone else to get to, just not against the Bluejays. Over the last two seasons, Placzek is 6-for-16 with five RBI. Three of those RBI have proven to be game winners since 2014.
Woodrow Causing Shear Panic for Opposition
As the Bluejays leadoff hitter, sophomore
Daniel Woodrow is tasked with getting things started. His speed, 16 stolen bases, has other teams concerned. Against Butler he caused a bit of panic by smacking an RBI triple over the head of centerfielder, Tyler Houston.
Woodrow has reached base to open the game in three of Creighton's last four contests, scoring twice.
Lacy's Favorite is Tick, Tac, Zero
Freshman Rollie Lacy currently has a scoreless streak of 18-innings (18.2 to be exact). That number moved past teammate Matt Warren, who recorded 18 scoreless innings (18.0) last season. The Creighton record for consecutive scoreless innings was set by Pat Venditte during the 2007 season at 43 (43.2, but who's counting).
Bluejay Out to Stop Theif, Coppola
South Dakota State centerfielder Zach Coppola has raised the art of theft on the base paths to an art form, swiping 32 this season without getting caught. The Creighton tandem of Kevin Lamb and Joey Mancuso will keep their radars focused on Wednesday.
Ticket to Ride
The Bluejays ability to play quickly will be put to the test as Creighton faces Nebraska on Tuesday at 6 pm, loads the bus for the game with South Dakota State on Wednesday at 1:30 pm, then heads to the airport for a 7 am flight to New Jersey on Thursday.
Guess Who?
Last Tuesday Creighton fans welcomed senior Jack Rogalla for the first time at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha (TDAPO). In his second trip to the bump at TDAPO, Rogalla will get the start against the Huskers.
The Bluejays opening day starter and projected ace of the Creighton staff, Rogalla has been sidelined since the second week of the season with an elbow issue. On April 21 he pitched to two batters without any pain.
Time to Go for the Battleship
Since 1988, Creighton has won the final regular season meeting with Nebraska six times (1991, 1992, 2005, 2007, 2011 & 2012). Each victory proved to be a precursor to a trip to the NCAA Regionals.
The last time Creighton made the NCAA Tournament without claiming the final regular season meeting with Nebraska was in 2000.
Sorry!
The Bluejays hope to continue a trend of denying Nebraska the sweep once again in 2015. Creighton was down 2-0 to Nebraska in the season series in both 2011 and 2012, but were able to avoid the sweep with a 9-8 win in 2011 and with an 8-1 victory in 2012.
The last time Nebraska swept the Bluejays came in 2008. Creighton's last sweep of the Huskers came in 1974.
Servais Prefers Chess to Checkers
For head coach Ed Servais managing his pitching staff is much more like a game of chess rather than checkers. He is not merely thinking about winning the current game, but also keeping his staff fresh for the next four games. Not to mention the BIG EAST Tournament and beyond.
Staked to a 5-0 early against Omaha on April 21, Servais used 10 different Creighton hurlers in the Bluejays' 8-2 win.
The 10 pitchers used in one game is tied for the sixth most in a single game in NCAA history and the most since Texas Tech used 11 pitchers against Howard Payne on May 14, 2004.
Since 1988, Creighton has won the final regular season meeting with Nebraska six times (1991, 1992, 2005, 2007, 2011 & 2012). Each victory proved to be a precursor to a trip to the NCAA Regionals.
The last time Creighton made the NCAA Tournament without claiming the final regular season meeting with Nebraska was in 2000.
Sorry!
The Bluejays hope to continue a trend of denying Nebraska the sweep once again in 2015. Creighton was down 2-0 to Nebraska in the season series in both 2011 and 2012, but were able to avoid the sweep with a 9-8 win in 2011 and with an 8-1 victory in 2012.
The last time Nebraska swept the Bluejays came in 2008. Creighton's last sweep of the Huskers came in 1974.
Servais Prefers Chess to Checkers
For head coach Ed Servais managing his pitching staff is much more like a game of chess rather than checkers. He is not merely thinking about winning the current game, but also keeping his staff fresh for the next four games. Not to mention the BIG EAST Tournament and beyond.
Staked to a 5-0 early against Omaha on April 21, Servais used 10 different Creighton hurlers in the Bluejays' 8-2 win.
The 10 pitchers used in one game is tied for the sixth most in a single game in NCAA history and the most since Texas Tech used 11 pitchers against Howard Payne on May 14, 2004.
Players Mentioned
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