Friday, March 24
Omaha, Neb.
4:00 PM
Creighton University
vs
Minnesota
Photo by: Lara Zuk
Baseball Hosts Minnesota in Home Series
3/23/2023 2:57:00 PM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- After weather has cost Creighton Baseball six home games, the Bluejays got a pair back this weekend as the Bluejays host Minnesota on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25.
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Series History: Creighton Leads Minnesota 25-24
Creighton and Minnesota have met 49 times with the Bluejays taking a one-game lead by sweeping the Golden Gophers last season in Omaha.
Last 17 Meetings
3/17/00   Minnesota   W   11-8
3/19/00   Minnesota   W   3-2
3/19/00   Minnesota   W   7-5
3/13/10   & at Minnesota   W   6-4
2/21/14   ^ vs. Minnesota   L   5-10
2/22/14   ^ vs. Minnesota   W   11-4
2/23/14   ^ vs. Minnesota   W   8-0
3/7/15   Minnesota   L   6-8 (12)
3/8/16   Minnesota   L   0-9
3/9/18   at Minnesota   W   7-3
3/10/18   at Minnesota   W   7-3
3/11/18   at Minnesota   L   1-15
3/10/20   Minnesota   L   3-5
3/11/20   Minnesota   L   4-5
3/18/22   Minnesota   W   5-4
3/19/22   Minnesota   W   14-7
3/20/22   Minnesota   W   4-2
% - NCAA West I Regional at USC
& - Metrodome Tournament (Minneapolis, Minn.)
^ - Played in Fort Myers, Fla.
Scouting the Golden Gophers: 4-18
After opening the season 0-11, Minnesota has found its balance by going to 4-7 over the last 11 games.
Forced to move the series to Omaha due to snow on Siebert Field, the Golden Gophers took an extended road trip this week. Minnesota was to play a pair with Illinois State on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rain shortened the series to one game with the Redbirds, which Minnesota won 10-3 on March 21.
The Golden Gophers enter Charles Schwab with a team batting average of .254, led by Boston Merila at .325, Brett Bateman at .316 and Ika Mezzenga at .305. On the bump Minnesota has a 5.68 ERA with 98 walks and 165 strikeouts in 202.2 innings.
Scouting the Bluejays: 8-7
Coming off a dramatic walk off win over Nebraska, the Bluejays get an unexpected chance to play at home against Minnesota.
The Bluejays enter the two-game series with Minnesota hitting .258 as a team. Creighton's leading hitters are the trio of Nolan Clifford (.353), Nolan Sailors (.339) and Sterling Hayes (.320).On the bump the Bluejays bring a 5.94 ERA into the series. Friday night ace Ryan Windham has a 2.28 ERA.
Fantastic Finish Vaults Bluejays Over Nebraska
Down 5-3 entering the ninth inning, Creighton Baseball plated three runs to walk off Nebraska on Tuesday, March 21 with a 6-5 win. Senior Jack Grace opened the Bluejay ninth with a pinch-hit single to left-center. Lifted for pinch runner Cooper Dulich, a sacrifice bunt put Dulich at second. Creighton drew within one run at 5-4 courtesy of a one-out RBI single from senior Andrew Meggs.
After junior Nolan Clifford was hit by a pitch, Nebraska head coach Will Bolt went to the bullpen for Brett Sears. Moments later a wild pitch moved both Creighton runners into scoring position, Bluejay grad transfer Tyler Lozano knotted the game at 5-5 with a sacrifice fly to right.
Wisely Clifford also advanced to third on the fly out, a move that proved pivotal as the first pitch to Bluejay freshman Ben North was wild to the left, allowing Clifford to race home with the winning run.
Defense Plays Unheralded Role in Nebraska Win
Looking beyond the box score the key to the win over the Huskers was a trio of Bluejay plays in the field in the seventh and eighth innings. After the Huskers added a run in the seventh to make it 5-3, Ben North made a diving stop of third with men at first and second. North then scrambled to his feet to get the first out of the inning at third. Moments later Andrew Meggs snagged a liner to second, doubling off Nebraska's Gabe Swansen. One inning later with two down and the bases loaded, Tate Gillen made a diving catch in left field to close the frame and keep it a 5-3 contest.
Bluejays Proving the Isn't Over Until the Final Out
Creighton Baseball has outscored teams 22-3 in the 9th inning and beyond this season. That trend continues in the Bluejays'
favor dating back to 2015, highlighted by a 14-1 edge in 2020. Since 2015 Creighton holds a 251-121 edge over the opposition in the ninth inning or later.
2023: CU 22-3
2022: CU 38-20
2021: CU 15-14
2020: CU 14-1
2019: CU 40-14
2018: CU 36-24
2017: CU 28-19
2016: CU 42-11
2015: CU 16-15
Weather Continues to Alter the Bluejays' Schedule
Weather continues to wreak havoc on the 2023 Baseball schedule as Creighton's road series at Minnesota (March 24-26) has been moved to Omaha. The series will also be shortened to two games as the Bluejays and Golden Gophers will play the first game on Friday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. and the finale on Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m.
This is the third consecutive weekend Creighton has seen its weekend series relocated. The Bluejays' home opening series with BYU was moved from Omaha to Lawrence, Kansas. The following weekend series with Wichita State moved from Omaha to Wichita.
In addition to each of the last three weekends being moved, the three-game series was shortened to two games.
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Minnesota vs. Creighton
Online: FloBaseball.tv
March 24 @ 4:00 p.m.
March 25 @ 2:00 p.m.
Live Stats: https://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Online: FloBaseball.tv
March 24 @ 4:00 p.m.
March 25 @ 2:00 p.m.
Live Stats: https://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Probable Pitching Matchups (2023 Stats)
Tuesday, March 24   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
Minn - Tucker Novotny (Fr.-LHP)Â Â Â 5.32Â Â Â 0-2Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 23.2Â Â Â 24Â Â Â 16Â Â Â 14Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 19
CU - Ryan Windham (Sr.-RHP)Â Â Â 2.28Â Â Â 0-1Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 23.2Â Â Â 28Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 6Â Â Â 7Â Â Â 22
Wednesday, March 25   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
Minn - George Klassen (So.-RHP)Â Â Â 5.23Â Â Â 0-3Â Â Â 6Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 20.2Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 17Â Â Â 26
CU - TBA
Tuesday, March 24   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
Minn - Tucker Novotny (Fr.-LHP)Â Â Â 5.32Â Â Â 0-2Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 23.2Â Â Â 24Â Â Â 16Â Â Â 14Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 19
CU - Ryan Windham (Sr.-RHP)Â Â Â 2.28Â Â Â 0-1Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 23.2Â Â Â 28Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 6Â Â Â 7Â Â Â 22
Wednesday, March 25   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
Minn - George Klassen (So.-RHP)Â Â Â 5.23Â Â Â 0-3Â Â Â 6Â Â Â 5Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 20.2Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 17Â Â Â 26
CU - TBA
Series History: Creighton Leads Minnesota 25-24
Creighton and Minnesota have met 49 times with the Bluejays taking a one-game lead by sweeping the Golden Gophers last season in Omaha.
Last 17 Meetings
3/17/00   Minnesota   W   11-8
3/19/00   Minnesota   W   3-2
3/19/00   Minnesota   W   7-5
3/13/10   & at Minnesota   W   6-4
2/21/14   ^ vs. Minnesota   L   5-10
2/22/14   ^ vs. Minnesota   W   11-4
2/23/14   ^ vs. Minnesota   W   8-0
3/7/15   Minnesota   L   6-8 (12)
3/8/16   Minnesota   L   0-9
3/9/18   at Minnesota   W   7-3
3/10/18   at Minnesota   W   7-3
3/11/18   at Minnesota   L   1-15
3/10/20   Minnesota   L   3-5
3/11/20   Minnesota   L   4-5
3/18/22   Minnesota   W   5-4
3/19/22   Minnesota   W   14-7
3/20/22   Minnesota   W   4-2
% - NCAA West I Regional at USC
& - Metrodome Tournament (Minneapolis, Minn.)
^ - Played in Fort Myers, Fla.
Scouting the Golden Gophers: 4-18
After opening the season 0-11, Minnesota has found its balance by going to 4-7 over the last 11 games.
Forced to move the series to Omaha due to snow on Siebert Field, the Golden Gophers took an extended road trip this week. Minnesota was to play a pair with Illinois State on Tuesday and Wednesday. Rain shortened the series to one game with the Redbirds, which Minnesota won 10-3 on March 21.
The Golden Gophers enter Charles Schwab with a team batting average of .254, led by Boston Merila at .325, Brett Bateman at .316 and Ika Mezzenga at .305. On the bump Minnesota has a 5.68 ERA with 98 walks and 165 strikeouts in 202.2 innings.
Scouting the Bluejays: 8-7
Coming off a dramatic walk off win over Nebraska, the Bluejays get an unexpected chance to play at home against Minnesota.
The Bluejays enter the two-game series with Minnesota hitting .258 as a team. Creighton's leading hitters are the trio of Nolan Clifford (.353), Nolan Sailors (.339) and Sterling Hayes (.320).On the bump the Bluejays bring a 5.94 ERA into the series. Friday night ace Ryan Windham has a 2.28 ERA.
Fantastic Finish Vaults Bluejays Over Nebraska
Down 5-3 entering the ninth inning, Creighton Baseball plated three runs to walk off Nebraska on Tuesday, March 21 with a 6-5 win. Senior Jack Grace opened the Bluejay ninth with a pinch-hit single to left-center. Lifted for pinch runner Cooper Dulich, a sacrifice bunt put Dulich at second. Creighton drew within one run at 5-4 courtesy of a one-out RBI single from senior Andrew Meggs.
After junior Nolan Clifford was hit by a pitch, Nebraska head coach Will Bolt went to the bullpen for Brett Sears. Moments later a wild pitch moved both Creighton runners into scoring position, Bluejay grad transfer Tyler Lozano knotted the game at 5-5 with a sacrifice fly to right.
Wisely Clifford also advanced to third on the fly out, a move that proved pivotal as the first pitch to Bluejay freshman Ben North was wild to the left, allowing Clifford to race home with the winning run.
Defense Plays Unheralded Role in Nebraska Win
Looking beyond the box score the key to the win over the Huskers was a trio of Bluejay plays in the field in the seventh and eighth innings. After the Huskers added a run in the seventh to make it 5-3, Ben North made a diving stop of third with men at first and second. North then scrambled to his feet to get the first out of the inning at third. Moments later Andrew Meggs snagged a liner to second, doubling off Nebraska's Gabe Swansen. One inning later with two down and the bases loaded, Tate Gillen made a diving catch in left field to close the frame and keep it a 5-3 contest.
Bluejays Proving the Isn't Over Until the Final Out
Creighton Baseball has outscored teams 22-3 in the 9th inning and beyond this season. That trend continues in the Bluejays'
favor dating back to 2015, highlighted by a 14-1 edge in 2020. Since 2015 Creighton holds a 251-121 edge over the opposition in the ninth inning or later.
2023: CU 22-3
2022: CU 38-20
2021: CU 15-14
2020: CU 14-1
2019: CU 40-14
2018: CU 36-24
2017: CU 28-19
2016: CU 42-11
2015: CU 16-15
Weather Continues to Alter the Bluejays' Schedule
Weather continues to wreak havoc on the 2023 Baseball schedule as Creighton's road series at Minnesota (March 24-26) has been moved to Omaha. The series will also be shortened to two games as the Bluejays and Golden Gophers will play the first game on Friday, March 24 at 4:00 p.m. and the finale on Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m.
This is the third consecutive weekend Creighton has seen its weekend series relocated. The Bluejays' home opening series with BYU was moved from Omaha to Lawrence, Kansas. The following weekend series with Wichita State moved from Omaha to Wichita.
In addition to each of the last three weekends being moved, the three-game series was shortened to two games.
Players Mentioned
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