Photo by: Catherine Grosdidier
Bluejay Baseball Adds Seven for 2023
7/25/2022 1:43:00 PM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- Creighton Baseball head coach Ed Servais announced the addition of seven newcomers for the 2023 season on Tuesday, July 26. Joining the Bluejay family will be Colby Canales (Orange, Calif.), Cooper Dulich (Encinitas, Calif.), Benjamin Gbur (Hilliard, Ohio), Thomas Gross (Minnetonka, Minn.), Justin Kleinsorge (Flower Mound, Texas), Tyler Lozano (Stockton, Calif.) and Robert O'Malley (Omaha, Neb.).
"We believe this is a very talented group. In many cases they fill openings that existed on our roster following the 2022 season," said Servais.
Joining the Bluejays from Pacific, Canales was the Tigers' cleanup hitter and first baseman in 2022. The 6-3 right hander saw action in 46 games over the past two seasons. In 39 contests during the 2022 season, Canales hit .258 with six doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI.
"Having played both of the infield corner spots, Colby brings some versatility," noted Servais. "I believe he has power potential at this level."
A 6-2 shortstop from California, Dulich spent the 2022 season at Montana State Billings. Dulich closed his freshman campaign hitting .335 with 13 doubles, two home runs, eight stolen bases and 36 RBI. Cooper was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year as well as a First Team All-GNAC selection.
"Cooper had a great freshman season on Montana State Billings, he is an athletic player with good range," noted Servais. "He surprised some with his bat, but he should contribute immediately."
One of three graduate transfers, Gbur is a 6-5 outfielder and pitcher from College of Wooster. Gbur claimed both a ABCA Gold Glove as well as First Team All-America honors (ABCA) in 2022. Last season the Ohio native set the Wooster record with 83 runs scored, collecting 83 hits, 22 doubles, 15 home runs, 54 RBI and 24 stolen bases
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"A division three gold glove and All-American that is quick and athletic, Benjamin's skills will transition quickly to the dimensions at Charles Schwab," said Servais. "I'm anxious to see how his game continues to develop."
In two seasons at North Iowa Area CC, Gross pitched a combined 90.2 innings with 142 strikeouts and walked just 57 batters. He started 18 contests, allowing just three home runs. One of the highlights of his tenure at NIACC was a 13 strikeout performance against Iowa Lakes on April 21, 2021.
"Thomas brings a live arm with a plus fastball to our program," noted Servais. "We knew there was a need to add starting pitching options to our team and he will have a change to compete for a spot immediately. "
Another graduate transfer, Kleinsorge started four seasons on the mound at Regis University in Denver. The 6-5 right-hander started 39 games for the Rangers, tossing 195 combined innings with 234 strikeouts. During the 2022 season Kleinsorge went 5-4 with 103 strikeouts in 72.2 innings.
"Justin had a lot of success at Regis, he has the potential to create a significant amount of swing and miss at this level," noted Servais. "He will also compete for a spot in the rotation right away."
Joining the Bluejays' catching ranks is the third graduate transfer, Lozano comes to Creighton after four seasons at USC. Lozano blasted 12 home runs and delivered 33 RBI in 49 games in 2022. He tied the USC record with three home runs in one game, finishing an April 14 battle against Arizona State 3-for-4 with six RBI. Over 91 games (82 starts), Lozano made just two errors, brining a .996 fielding percentage to Creighton.
"We needed to upgrade our depth behind the plate and Tyler is an excellent player," said Servais. "Not only will he be good behind the plate, but he brings a strong offensive game as his 12 home runs at USC showed."
O'Malley is a local product from Creighton Prep, the left-hander closed his senior season with a 6-1 mark for the Junior Jays. He tossed 45.2 innings, notching 50 strikeouts and a 2.91 ERA.
"We didn't have a wealth of options on the left side last season, Robert will help give us another left-handed arm in the bullpen," added Servais.
"We believe this is a very talented group. In many cases they fill openings that existed on our roster following the 2022 season," said Servais.
Joining the Bluejays from Pacific, Canales was the Tigers' cleanup hitter and first baseman in 2022. The 6-3 right hander saw action in 46 games over the past two seasons. In 39 contests during the 2022 season, Canales hit .258 with six doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI.
"Having played both of the infield corner spots, Colby brings some versatility," noted Servais. "I believe he has power potential at this level."
A 6-2 shortstop from California, Dulich spent the 2022 season at Montana State Billings. Dulich closed his freshman campaign hitting .335 with 13 doubles, two home runs, eight stolen bases and 36 RBI. Cooper was the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year as well as a First Team All-GNAC selection.
"Cooper had a great freshman season on Montana State Billings, he is an athletic player with good range," noted Servais. "He surprised some with his bat, but he should contribute immediately."
One of three graduate transfers, Gbur is a 6-5 outfielder and pitcher from College of Wooster. Gbur claimed both a ABCA Gold Glove as well as First Team All-America honors (ABCA) in 2022. Last season the Ohio native set the Wooster record with 83 runs scored, collecting 83 hits, 22 doubles, 15 home runs, 54 RBI and 24 stolen bases
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"A division three gold glove and All-American that is quick and athletic, Benjamin's skills will transition quickly to the dimensions at Charles Schwab," said Servais. "I'm anxious to see how his game continues to develop."
In two seasons at North Iowa Area CC, Gross pitched a combined 90.2 innings with 142 strikeouts and walked just 57 batters. He started 18 contests, allowing just three home runs. One of the highlights of his tenure at NIACC was a 13 strikeout performance against Iowa Lakes on April 21, 2021.
"Thomas brings a live arm with a plus fastball to our program," noted Servais. "We knew there was a need to add starting pitching options to our team and he will have a change to compete for a spot immediately. "
Another graduate transfer, Kleinsorge started four seasons on the mound at Regis University in Denver. The 6-5 right-hander started 39 games for the Rangers, tossing 195 combined innings with 234 strikeouts. During the 2022 season Kleinsorge went 5-4 with 103 strikeouts in 72.2 innings.
"Justin had a lot of success at Regis, he has the potential to create a significant amount of swing and miss at this level," noted Servais. "He will also compete for a spot in the rotation right away."
Joining the Bluejays' catching ranks is the third graduate transfer, Lozano comes to Creighton after four seasons at USC. Lozano blasted 12 home runs and delivered 33 RBI in 49 games in 2022. He tied the USC record with three home runs in one game, finishing an April 14 battle against Arizona State 3-for-4 with six RBI. Over 91 games (82 starts), Lozano made just two errors, brining a .996 fielding percentage to Creighton.
"We needed to upgrade our depth behind the plate and Tyler is an excellent player," said Servais. "Not only will he be good behind the plate, but he brings a strong offensive game as his 12 home runs at USC showed."
O'Malley is a local product from Creighton Prep, the left-hander closed his senior season with a 6-1 mark for the Junior Jays. He tossed 45.2 innings, notching 50 strikeouts and a 2.91 ERA.
"We didn't have a wealth of options on the left side last season, Robert will help give us another left-handed arm in the bullpen," added Servais.
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