Creighton University
1-0
Lipscomb
2-2
Bluejay Bats Explode for Four Home Runs in 11-4 Opening Day Win at Lipscomb
2/26/2021 6:20:00 PM | Baseball
The win lifted Creighton to 1-0 on the season, while Lipscomb fell to 2-2.
The Bluejays got on the board first with a run in the second as newcomer Dax Roper singled down the left field line, moved around the bases on a pair of sac bunts and an error, then scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jared Wegner.
Creighton's lead grew to 4-0 in the third as Alan Roden blasted a three-run shot down the right field line. Scoring on the play were senior Parker Upton and junior David Vilches, who each walked earlier in the inning.
The top of the fourth saw another Bluejay newcomer contribute as shortstop Sterling Hayes connected on his first hit, a home run, to left field.
Lipscomb rallied with three runs on four hits, an error and a walk.
Holding a 5-3 edge entering the sixth inning, Creighton created some separation with four runs on five hits in the frame. Sophomore Andrew Meggs started things off with a solo homer to left, then junior David Webel doubled to center. One out later a short single to right put on the corners. With two down in the inning junior David Vilches lifted an RBI double to left, then Roden laced a two-run single up the middle to make it 9-3.
Creighton's final two tallies came on a solo shot to left-center by Roper in the eighth and an RBI single to left from junior Will Hanafan in the ninth.
The Bluejay offense finished with 14 hits, including six extra-base knocks. Roden led Creighton at the dish, going 3-for-3 with five RBI.
Despite the rocky fourth inning, sophomore Dylan Tebrake was strong in five innings of of work to pick up the win. Tebrake allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk. Three Bluejay relievers combined to allow one run on two hits over four frames.
Lipscomb starter Noah Thompson allowed five runs on four hits and three walks to take the loss (0-1).
Creighton returns to the diamond on Saturday, Feb. 27Â for a doubleheader at Belmont that was has been moved to a 12 p.m. start.
Notes: Alan Roden is the first Bluejay with 5 RBI in an opener since Elliot Soto in 2010 ... Creighton has scored 43 combined runs in their last 4 season lid-lifters, winning each time ... Creighton Baseball has had multiple home runs in its season opener just twice since 2000 (2010 and 2021) .. It's been at least 30 years since the Bluejays opened a season with four or more home runs.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Tebrake, Dylan (1-0)
L: THOMPSON, Noah (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Webel, David 1 ; Vilches, David 1
HR: Roper, Dax 1 ; Roden, Alan 1 ; Hayes, Sterling 1 ; Meggs, Andrew 1
RBI: Hanafan, Will 1 ; Roper, Dax 1 ; Vilches, David 1 ; Roden, Alan 5 ; Wegner, Jared 1 ; Hayes, Sterling 1 ; Meggs, Andrew 1
SH: Vilches, David 1 ; Roden, Alan 1
SF: Wegner, Jared 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Webel, David 1 ; Upton, Parker 1 ; Mantle, Ryan 1 ; Roper, Dax 2 ; Vilches, David 2 ; Roden, Alan 1 ; Spry, Evan 1 ; Hayes, Sterling 1 ; Meggs, Andrew 1
SB: Webel, David 1 ; Wegner, Jared 1
CS: Upton, Parker 1
Batting:
2B: WILLIAMS, Malik 1
RBI: WILLIAMS, Malik 1 ; SMITH, Carter 1 ; MERCED, Robbie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: BOROM, Tiger 1 ; BASHLOR, Chris 1 ; WILLIAMS, Malik 2
SB: MERCED, Robbie 1
CS: ADAMS, Haddon 1
