Photo by: Catherine Grosdidier
Windham and Canales Lift Baseball to 5-2 Win Over Minnesota
3/24/2023 7:00:00 PM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- Senior Ryan Windham was perfect for 6.1 innings, while junior Colby Canales smashed his first home run as a Bluejay in Creighton Baseball's 5-2 win over Minnesota on Friday, March 24.
The victory pushed Creighton to 9-7 on the season, while the Golden Gophers fell to 4-19.
Locked in a pitcher's duel as the game moved to the bottom of the fifth, Canales blasted a solo home run to left field to give the Bluejays a 1-0 lead. Creighton added four more runs in the sixth as grad transfer Tyler Lozano laced a two-run double to left and senior Sterling Hayes as well as freshman Tate Gillen delivered RBI singles.
Senior Andrew Meggs reached on a wild pitch to open the inning, then senior Nolan Clifford smacked a single to left. Meggs went to third on Clifford's single and the throw allowed the Bluejay first baseman to take second. Lozano followed with the two-run double to left, then one out later Hayes drove an RBI single to left-center. With two outs in the frame, Gillen greeted Minnesota reliever Noah Rooney with an RBI single through the left side.
Having set down the first 19 hitters he faced, WIndham saw Brady Counsell, son of Milwaukee Brewer manager Craig Counsell, end a bid for a perfect game with a double to left-center. Windham retired one more Gopher, before giving way to senior Paul Bergstrom in the frame.
Windham earned the win (1-1), allowing two runs on three hits in 6.2 innings. Creighton closer Tommy Steier worked a flawless ninth for his second save of the season.
Minnesota starter Hunter Novotny (0-3) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in 5.2 frames.
Gillen and Lozano guided the Bluejay offense with three and two hits respectively.
Creighton and Minnesota will close out their two-game series on Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m.
The victory pushed Creighton to 9-7 on the season, while the Golden Gophers fell to 4-19.
Locked in a pitcher's duel as the game moved to the bottom of the fifth, Canales blasted a solo home run to left field to give the Bluejays a 1-0 lead. Creighton added four more runs in the sixth as grad transfer Tyler Lozano laced a two-run double to left and senior Sterling Hayes as well as freshman Tate Gillen delivered RBI singles.
Senior Andrew Meggs reached on a wild pitch to open the inning, then senior Nolan Clifford smacked a single to left. Meggs went to third on Clifford's single and the throw allowed the Bluejay first baseman to take second. Lozano followed with the two-run double to left, then one out later Hayes drove an RBI single to left-center. With two outs in the frame, Gillen greeted Minnesota reliever Noah Rooney with an RBI single through the left side.
Having set down the first 19 hitters he faced, WIndham saw Brady Counsell, son of Milwaukee Brewer manager Craig Counsell, end a bid for a perfect game with a double to left-center. Windham retired one more Gopher, before giving way to senior Paul Bergstrom in the frame.
Windham earned the win (1-1), allowing two runs on three hits in 6.2 innings. Creighton closer Tommy Steier worked a flawless ninth for his second save of the season.
Minnesota starter Hunter Novotny (0-3) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in 5.2 frames.
Gillen and Lozano guided the Bluejay offense with three and two hits respectively.
Creighton and Minnesota will close out their two-game series on Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Windham, Ryan (1-1)
L: Tucker Novotny (0-3)
S: Steier, Tommy (2)
Batting:
2B: Brady Counsell 1
RBI: Jake Perry 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ike Mezzenga 1 ; Weber Neels 1
HBP: Boston Merila 1

Batting:
2B: Lozano, Tyler 1
HR: Canales, Colby 1
RBI: Lozano, Tyler 2 ; Hayes, Sterling 1 ; Canales, Colby 1 ; Gillen, Tate 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Meggs, Andrew 1 ; Clifford, Nolan 1 ; Lozano, Tyler 1 ; Hayes, Sterling 1 ; Canales, Colby 1
SB: Hayes, Sterling 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
Players Mentioned
2013 Creighton Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Dan Smith
Friday, October 30
Jim Hendry & Alan Benes (4/11/11)
Friday, October 30
CREIGHTON BASEBALL
Thursday, October 15
Ambidextrous Pitcher
Thursday, October 15