Tuesday, April 3
Lawrence, Kan.
6:00 pm
Creighton University
at
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Kansas
Photo by: Steve Branscombe
Baseball Faces Kansas and Kansas State in Midweek Contests
4/2/2018 7:43:00 PM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- Creighton Baseball rolls into the grinding portion of the 2018 schedule as the Bluejays begin a five-game week at Kansas (April 3) and hosting Kansas State (April 4). Creighton kicks off BIG EAST play this coming weekend against Butler.
Download the complete preview (PDF).
Scouting the Bluejays
(2018: 16-6, 0-0 BIG EAST)
The Bluejays enter the midweek games against Kansas and Kansas State riding a six game winning streak, their longest since compiling a streak of 11 victories last year.
Grad transfer Preston Church is slated for the start on Tuesday, coming off of his season best 6.2 innings pitched in a winning effort against Nebraska on March 27.
Creighton is learning how to use its bullpen more effectively as the season continues to move forward, taking three wins over former Missouri Valley Conference foe Evansville.
Nine batters are now hitting above .200 on the year for the Bluejays as they continue to search for consistency behind the trio of Brinkman, Robertson and Emodi.
Bluejays vs. Kansas
Creighton lead the series with the Jayhawks, 23-11. The Bluejays got the better of Kansas in Lawrence in their only matchup of last year's campaign, recording a 7-3 victory.
Head coach Ed Servais is 6-6 against Evansville. A game-by-game account of the Bluejays' battles with the Jayhawks under Servais is below.
Kansas (6-6)
   2/22/04   L   1-5
   4/26/06   L   1-9
   4/14/09   L   6-7 (10)
   3/23/10   L   4-5
   4/7/10   L   4-5
   2/22/11   W   4-3
   4/26/11   W   5-3
   4/3/12   W   7-3
   4/2/13   W   6-4
   4/16/13   W   12-4
   3/26/14   L   0-11
   3/22/17   W   7-3
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About Kansas
Scouting the Jayhawks
(2018: 17-11, 2-4 Big 12)
Having alternated wins in their last seven matchups, the Jayhawks are coming off a series win against Morehead State as well as a midweek loss to Missouri State.
As a team the Jayhawks enter the weekend hitting .286, led by Brett Vosik (.378) and Jaxx Groshans (.367).
On the mound Kansas has a 4.93 ERA, with projected starter Tyler Davis slightly over team average with a 4.98 ERA.
Bluejays vs. Kansas State
Kansas State lead the series with the Bluejays, 52-40-1. Creighton took the first of the two meetings this year in a 13-3 win in Manhattan
Head coach Ed Servais is 11-8 against Kansas State. A game-by-game account of the Bluejays' battles with the Wildcats
under Servais is below.
Kansas State (11-8)
   4/27/04   W   4-1
   3/1/05   W   8-3
   4/11/06   L   4-5
   4/11/07   W   3-1
   3/26/08   L   1-11
   4/15/08   W   6-5 (11)
   3/3/09   L   1-12
   4/1/09   W   5-1
   3/16/10   W   7-4
   4/12/11   W   7-6
   4/30/13   L   3-6
   3/28/14   W   4-3
   3/29/14   L   5-8
   3/30/14   L   2-8
   3/10/15   L   5-10
   3/11/15   W   6-3
   3/9/16   L   2-8
   3/22/16   W   5-4
   3/13/18   W   13-3
About Kansas State
Scouting the Wildcats
(2018: 15-13, 2-4 Big 12)
Kansas State has dropped five of their last eight games, but did take the series from Texas last weekend.
As a team the Wildcats enter Wednesday's
game hitting .281 as a team, led by Will Brennan (.373) and TK McWherton (.364).
On the mound Kansas State has a 5.27 ERA. The Wildcats have yet to name a starter for
Wednesday's contest.
Servais Approaching Milestone at Creighton (500 wins) & Overall (700 wins)
Head coach Ed Servais is on the verge of reaching an impressive coaching milestone as a Bluejay. Servais enters the weekend with 499 wins at the helm of the Bluejays and 681 wins as a head coach.
Bluejays Sweep Purple Aces Claiming Sixth Straight Win
Creighton enters the week riding a six-game winning streak, including 4-0 last week. The last time the Bluejays had a longer stretch of wins was last season as Creighton put together an 11-game winning streak from April 8 - 28.
Robertson and Tapani Sweep BIG EAST Honors
Streaking Creighton picked up both BIG EAST Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors as outfielder Will Robertson was named Player of the Week and righty starter Ryan Tapani was named Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season.
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Bluejay sophomore right fielder Will Robertson played a critical role in each of Creighton's four victories last week, posting a .417 average (5-for-12) with four runs scored and three RBI. Robertson closed the week four extra base hits, two doubles and two home runs. With four of his five hits going beyond a single, Will posted a 1.083 slugging percentage. He also drew five walks to push his on-base percentage to .588. Robertson delivered an RBI in three of Creighton's victories, while scoring a run in the other. Against in-state rival Nebraska, Robertson went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a double and a walk. In the series against Evansville, he crossed the plate five times.
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Creighton senior righty Ryan Tapani pitched the opener in the series against Evansville on Friday, tossing 7.2 innings while allowing just two singles and one run to score for a 1.17 ERA. Friday was one of Tapani's best games as a Bluejay as he helped Creighton post a 3-1 victory, their fourth-straight win. Tapani needed just 101 pitches and faced 27 batters while recording 23 outs, leaving the mound with just four outs remaining for his longest career start. Tapani struck out five in the outing.
Robertson, Tapani and the rest of the Bluejays have a five-game week on tap, beginning with a road contest at Kansas on Tuesday, April 3 at 6:00 pm.
Servais Pushed the Right Buttons to Dial Up Emodi's Walk-Off
Trailing 4-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth the Creighton Baseball team delivered a dramatic walk-off 5-4 win, capped by a bases clearing three-run double from junior Michael Emodi to down Evansville on Saturday, March 31. Â
Creighton's improbably comeback began with junior Ryan Mantle drawing a walk in a pinch hitting role to open the ninth. One out later sophomore Parker Upton brought the tying run to the plate by working the second walk of the inning.
After Evansville went to the bullpen for Ryan Brady, Creighton head coach Ed Servais countered by sending freshman Evan Spry to the dish for just the fourth time in the 2018 season. Spry showed his poise by working a walk himself to load the bases with just one down.
Leadoff hitter Clark Brinkman went down on strikes, but sophomore Isaac Collins picked up his teammate by blistering a ball off the left arch of Brady to bring Mantle into score.
Evansville was forced to go to the pen once more as Brady left due to the injury. The Aces brought in right hander Jimmy Ward to face Emodi.
After the Omaha native fouled off a pitch to move the knot the count at 1-1, Ward decided to go to the breaking pitch a second straight time.
Ward's slider, however, hung over the plate and Emodi made him pay with the game-winning three-run double off the center field wall.
Three-Run Comeback in the Ninth a First Under Servais at Home
Creighton's three-run rally in the final frame was a first at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha for the Bluejays.
The last time Creighton rallied from down at least three runs as the home team was on March 5, 2010. After Sam Houston State took a 5-2 lead with three runs in the top of the 10th, the Bluejays plated four to earn a 6-5 win.
On the road the Bluejays pulled off a ninth inning rally last season as Creighton trailed Georgetown 9-5 heading to the top of the ninth only to win the game 11-9 on April 15, 2017.
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Download the complete preview (PDF).
Creighton at Kansas
April 3 @ 6:00 pm
Kansas State at Creighton
April 4 @ 6:30 pm
Live Stats: Both games are available at
http://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Bluejays on the TV:
Wednesday, April 4 vs. Kansas State - 6:30 pm on NET
John Bishop and Dave Gustafson have the call.
Bluejays on the Radio:
Wednesday, April 4 vs. Kansas State - 6:30 pm on 1620 AM
Kevin McNabb and Jake Ryan have the call.
April 3 @ 6:00 pm
Kansas State at Creighton
April 4 @ 6:30 pm
Live Stats: Both games are available at
http://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Bluejays on the TV:
Wednesday, April 4 vs. Kansas State - 6:30 pm on NET
John Bishop and Dave Gustafson have the call.
Bluejays on the Radio:
Wednesday, April 4 vs. Kansas State - 6:30 pm on 1620 AM
Kevin McNabb and Jake Ryan have the call.
Scouting the Bluejays
(2018: 16-6, 0-0 BIG EAST)
The Bluejays enter the midweek games against Kansas and Kansas State riding a six game winning streak, their longest since compiling a streak of 11 victories last year.
Grad transfer Preston Church is slated for the start on Tuesday, coming off of his season best 6.2 innings pitched in a winning effort against Nebraska on March 27.
Creighton is learning how to use its bullpen more effectively as the season continues to move forward, taking three wins over former Missouri Valley Conference foe Evansville.
Nine batters are now hitting above .200 on the year for the Bluejays as they continue to search for consistency behind the trio of Brinkman, Robertson and Emodi.
Bluejays vs. Kansas
Creighton lead the series with the Jayhawks, 23-11. The Bluejays got the better of Kansas in Lawrence in their only matchup of last year's campaign, recording a 7-3 victory.
Head coach Ed Servais is 6-6 against Evansville. A game-by-game account of the Bluejays' battles with the Jayhawks under Servais is below.
Kansas (6-6)
   2/22/04   L   1-5
   4/26/06   L   1-9
   4/14/09   L   6-7 (10)
   3/23/10   L   4-5
   4/7/10   L   4-5
   2/22/11   W   4-3
   4/26/11   W   5-3
   4/3/12   W   7-3
   4/2/13   W   6-4
   4/16/13   W   12-4
   3/26/14   L   0-11
   3/22/17   W   7-3
  Â
About Kansas
- Located in Lawrence, Kan.
- The Jayhawks were picked to finish sixth in the 2018 Big 12 Preseason Poll.
- Kansas went 30-28 last season, including an 11-13 mark in Big 12 play.
Scouting the Jayhawks
(2018: 17-11, 2-4 Big 12)
Having alternated wins in their last seven matchups, the Jayhawks are coming off a series win against Morehead State as well as a midweek loss to Missouri State.
As a team the Jayhawks enter the weekend hitting .286, led by Brett Vosik (.378) and Jaxx Groshans (.367).
On the mound Kansas has a 4.93 ERA, with projected starter Tyler Davis slightly over team average with a 4.98 ERA.
Bluejays vs. Kansas State
Kansas State lead the series with the Bluejays, 52-40-1. Creighton took the first of the two meetings this year in a 13-3 win in Manhattan
Head coach Ed Servais is 11-8 against Kansas State. A game-by-game account of the Bluejays' battles with the Wildcats
under Servais is below.
Kansas State (11-8)
   4/27/04   W   4-1
   3/1/05   W   8-3
   4/11/06   L   4-5
   4/11/07   W   3-1
   3/26/08   L   1-11
   4/15/08   W   6-5 (11)
   3/3/09   L   1-12
   4/1/09   W   5-1
   3/16/10   W   7-4
   4/12/11   W   7-6
   4/30/13   L   3-6
   3/28/14   W   4-3
   3/29/14   L   5-8
   3/30/14   L   2-8
   3/10/15   L   5-10
   3/11/15   W   6-3
   3/9/16   L   2-8
   3/22/16   W   5-4
   3/13/18   W   13-3
About Kansas State
- Located in Manhattan, Kan.
- The Wildcats were picked to finish ninth in the 2018 Big 12 Preseason Poll.
- Kansas State went 29-26 last season, including an 8-16 mark in Big 12 play.
Scouting the Wildcats
(2018: 15-13, 2-4 Big 12)
Kansas State has dropped five of their last eight games, but did take the series from Texas last weekend.
As a team the Wildcats enter Wednesday's
game hitting .281 as a team, led by Will Brennan (.373) and TK McWherton (.364).
On the mound Kansas State has a 5.27 ERA. The Wildcats have yet to name a starter for
Wednesday's contest.
Servais Approaching Milestone at Creighton (500 wins) & Overall (700 wins)
Head coach Ed Servais is on the verge of reaching an impressive coaching milestone as a Bluejay. Servais enters the weekend with 499 wins at the helm of the Bluejays and 681 wins as a head coach.
Bluejays Sweep Purple Aces Claiming Sixth Straight Win
Creighton enters the week riding a six-game winning streak, including 4-0 last week. The last time the Bluejays had a longer stretch of wins was last season as Creighton put together an 11-game winning streak from April 8 - 28.
Robertson and Tapani Sweep BIG EAST Honors
Streaking Creighton picked up both BIG EAST Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors as outfielder Will Robertson was named Player of the Week and righty starter Ryan Tapani was named Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season.
Â
Bluejay sophomore right fielder Will Robertson played a critical role in each of Creighton's four victories last week, posting a .417 average (5-for-12) with four runs scored and three RBI. Robertson closed the week four extra base hits, two doubles and two home runs. With four of his five hits going beyond a single, Will posted a 1.083 slugging percentage. He also drew five walks to push his on-base percentage to .588. Robertson delivered an RBI in three of Creighton's victories, while scoring a run in the other. Against in-state rival Nebraska, Robertson went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a double and a walk. In the series against Evansville, he crossed the plate five times.
Â
Creighton senior righty Ryan Tapani pitched the opener in the series against Evansville on Friday, tossing 7.2 innings while allowing just two singles and one run to score for a 1.17 ERA. Friday was one of Tapani's best games as a Bluejay as he helped Creighton post a 3-1 victory, their fourth-straight win. Tapani needed just 101 pitches and faced 27 batters while recording 23 outs, leaving the mound with just four outs remaining for his longest career start. Tapani struck out five in the outing.
Robertson, Tapani and the rest of the Bluejays have a five-game week on tap, beginning with a road contest at Kansas on Tuesday, April 3 at 6:00 pm.
Servais Pushed the Right Buttons to Dial Up Emodi's Walk-Off
Trailing 4-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth the Creighton Baseball team delivered a dramatic walk-off 5-4 win, capped by a bases clearing three-run double from junior Michael Emodi to down Evansville on Saturday, March 31. Â
Creighton's improbably comeback began with junior Ryan Mantle drawing a walk in a pinch hitting role to open the ninth. One out later sophomore Parker Upton brought the tying run to the plate by working the second walk of the inning.
After Evansville went to the bullpen for Ryan Brady, Creighton head coach Ed Servais countered by sending freshman Evan Spry to the dish for just the fourth time in the 2018 season. Spry showed his poise by working a walk himself to load the bases with just one down.
Leadoff hitter Clark Brinkman went down on strikes, but sophomore Isaac Collins picked up his teammate by blistering a ball off the left arch of Brady to bring Mantle into score.
Evansville was forced to go to the pen once more as Brady left due to the injury. The Aces brought in right hander Jimmy Ward to face Emodi.
After the Omaha native fouled off a pitch to move the knot the count at 1-1, Ward decided to go to the breaking pitch a second straight time.
Ward's slider, however, hung over the plate and Emodi made him pay with the game-winning three-run double off the center field wall.
Three-Run Comeback in the Ninth a First Under Servais at Home
Creighton's three-run rally in the final frame was a first at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha for the Bluejays.
The last time Creighton rallied from down at least three runs as the home team was on March 5, 2010. After Sam Houston State took a 5-2 lead with three runs in the top of the 10th, the Bluejays plated four to earn a 6-5 win.
On the road the Bluejays pulled off a ninth inning rally last season as Creighton trailed Georgetown 9-5 heading to the top of the ninth only to win the game 11-9 on April 15, 2017.
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Players Mentioned
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