Thursday, May 18
Omaha, Neb.
6:00 PM
Creighton University
vs
Connecticut
Photo by: Catherine Grosdidier
Baseball Hosts #9 Connecticut in Regular Season Finale
5/17/2023 8:05:00 PM | Baseball
Omaha, Neb. -- With a bid to the BIG EAST Tournament on the line for the Bluejays, Creighton Baseball hosts #9 Connecticut in the final weekend series of the 2023 regular season. The series is set to begin on Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. on FS1.
Probable Pitching Matchups (2023 Stats)
Thursday, May 18   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
UConn - Andrew Sears (LHP)Â Â Â 6.62Â Â Â 2-0Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/0Â Â Â 50.1Â Â Â 51Â Â Â 41Â Â Â 37Â Â Â 21Â Â Â 63
CU - Ryan Windham (RHP)Â Â Â 3.76Â Â Â 5-3Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/1Â Â Â 69.1Â Â Â 69Â Â Â 39Â Â Â 29Â Â Â 21Â Â Â 53
Friday, May 19   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
UConn - Stephen Quigley (RHP)Â Â Â 4.29Â Â Â 4-1Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/0Â Â Â 63.0Â Â Â 64Â Â Â 30Â Â Â 30Â Â Â 18Â Â Â 61
CU - Dominic Cancellieri (RHP)Â Â Â 5.68Â Â Â 2-3Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 9Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/1Â Â Â 50.2Â Â Â 61Â Â Â 36Â Â Â 32Â Â Â 18Â Â Â 56
Saturday, May 20   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
UConn - Ian Cooke (RHP)Â Â Â 5.96Â Â Â 3-3Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/0Â Â Â 51.1Â Â Â 61Â Â Â 41Â Â Â 34Â Â Â 27Â Â Â 57
CU - Justin Kleinsorge (RHP)Â Â Â 5.76Â Â Â 1-3Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/0Â Â Â 50.0Â Â Â 47Â Â Â 33Â Â Â 32Â Â Â 23Â Â Â 48
Series History: Creighton Trails Connecticut, 0-5
Creighton and Connecticut have met just five times, with the Huskies taking each contest. This will be Connecticut's first trip to Omaha as the Huskies were unable to make it in 2021 due to Covid within the program.
Game-by-Game
5/29/21   $ vs. Connecticut   L   0-5
5/6/22   * at Connecticut   L   1-3
5/7/22   * at Connecticut   L   5-6
5/8/22   * at Connecticut   L   5-6
5/28/22   $ vs. Connecticut   L   1-7
$ - Neutral games at BIG EAST Tournament (Mason, Ohio)
Scouting the Huskies: 38-12, 13-4
Connecticut took a home series from Butler over the weekend, but were in a dog fight throughout each game. Butler took the ninth-ranked Huskies to extra innings on Friday, held the lead into the ninth on Saturday and the Bulldogs finally ran away with the win on Sunday.
Connecticut brings a team batting average of .304 to Charles Schwab Field Omaha, led by Paul Tammaro at .388, Ben Huber at .347, Dominic Freeberger at .343 and Jake Studley at .342.
On the mound the Huskeis have a team ERA of 4.99 with 466 strikeouts in 447.0 innings. Closer Justin Willis has eight saves in 18 appearances, allowing just five earned runs this season (2.55 ERA).
Scouting the Bluejays: 24-22, 9-9 BIG EAST
Creighton's 2023 season can safely be described as a roller coaster, the Bluejays were alone in first place at 9-3 after sweeping St. John's and Butler on April 30. Since the calendar turned to May, however, the Bluejays have been swept by Xavier and Seton Hall.
Creighton is hitting .257 as a team, led by a trio near the .300 mark. Sophomore Hogan Helligso the Bluejays' leading hitter at .322, while Sterling Hayes and Jack Grace both check in at .295. On the mound the Bluejays' team ERA is 5.39.
Ben Gbur Supplies First Walk-Off Blast Since 2018
Delivering his best single game as a Bluejay, grad transfer Ben Gbur delivered the first walk-off home run for Creighton since Mike Emodi in 2018 (March 17 vs. Wichita State) as Gbur launched his second two-run shot of the game to lift Creighton to a 4-2
victory over Omaha on May 16.
Gbur Prefers the Local Cuisine
In five games this season against Nebraska and Omaha, Bluejay outfielder Ben Gbut is hitting .412 (7-for-17) with six RBI, two home runs and three doubles. Gbur is hitting .116 (10-for-86) with two home runs and 11 RBI during the other 35 games he has appeared in.
The Road to Prasco
Entering the final weekend two spots in the BIG EAST Tournament hang in the balance. Connecticut and Xavier have clinched spots, while Seton Hall, Creighton, Georgetown and
Villanova have work to do.
The Pirates have the inside track at 10-8, with a magic number of two. Creighton (9-9) and Georgetown (8-9) each need three results in its favor, while Villanova is one game away from being eliminated at 7-10.
The Bluejays face #9 Connecticut, while Seton Hall plays Villanova and Georgetown faces Xavier.
Servais Holds His Own Against Ranked Foes
Since taking over the reigns in 2004, head coach Ed Servais has guided the Bluejays to a 22-37 mark against ranked teams. In home games the Bluejays at 11-13 against ranked opponents under Servais.
Creighton's last win over a ranked team came in 2019 when the Bluejays upended Oregon State to eliminate the 16th ranked Beavers in the NCAA Tournament. Creighton's last home win over a ranked foe came in 2017 as the Bluejays took two of three from #15 St. John's.
#9 Connecticut at Creighton
May 18 @ 6:00 p.m.
May 19 @ 6:00 p.m.
May 20 @ 12:00 p.m.
TV (FS1): Thursday
Live Stream: FloBaseball.tv
(Friday and Saturday)
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Radio: 1180 am
May 18 @ 6:00 p.m.
May 19 @ 6:00 p.m.
May 20 @ 12:00 p.m.
TV (FS1): Thursday
Live Stream: FloBaseball.tv
(Friday and Saturday)
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast
Radio: 1180 am
Probable Pitching Matchups (2023 Stats)
Thursday, May 18   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
UConn - Andrew Sears (LHP)Â Â Â 6.62Â Â Â 2-0Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/0Â Â Â 50.1Â Â Â 51Â Â Â 41Â Â Â 37Â Â Â 21Â Â Â 63
CU - Ryan Windham (RHP)Â Â Â 3.76Â Â Â 5-3Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/1Â Â Â 69.1Â Â Â 69Â Â Â 39Â Â Â 29Â Â Â 21Â Â Â 53
Friday, May 19   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
UConn - Stephen Quigley (RHP)Â Â Â 4.29Â Â Â 4-1Â Â Â 12Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/0Â Â Â 63.0Â Â Â 64Â Â Â 30Â Â Â 30Â Â Â 18Â Â Â 61
CU - Dominic Cancellieri (RHP)Â Â Â 5.68Â Â Â 2-3Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 9Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/1Â Â Â 50.2Â Â Â 61Â Â Â 36Â Â Â 32Â Â Â 18Â Â Â 56
Saturday, May 20   ERA   W-L   App   GS   CG   SHO   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO
UConn - Ian Cooke (RHP)Â Â Â 5.96Â Â Â 3-3Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/0Â Â Â 51.1Â Â Â 61Â Â Â 41Â Â Â 34Â Â Â 27Â Â Â 57
CU - Justin Kleinsorge (RHP)Â Â Â 5.76Â Â Â 1-3Â Â Â 13Â Â Â 11Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 0/0Â Â Â 50.0Â Â Â 47Â Â Â 33Â Â Â 32Â Â Â 23Â Â Â 48
Series History: Creighton Trails Connecticut, 0-5
Creighton and Connecticut have met just five times, with the Huskies taking each contest. This will be Connecticut's first trip to Omaha as the Huskies were unable to make it in 2021 due to Covid within the program.
Game-by-Game
5/29/21   $ vs. Connecticut   L   0-5
5/6/22   * at Connecticut   L   1-3
5/7/22   * at Connecticut   L   5-6
5/8/22   * at Connecticut   L   5-6
5/28/22   $ vs. Connecticut   L   1-7
$ - Neutral games at BIG EAST Tournament (Mason, Ohio)
Scouting the Huskies: 38-12, 13-4
Connecticut took a home series from Butler over the weekend, but were in a dog fight throughout each game. Butler took the ninth-ranked Huskies to extra innings on Friday, held the lead into the ninth on Saturday and the Bulldogs finally ran away with the win on Sunday.
Connecticut brings a team batting average of .304 to Charles Schwab Field Omaha, led by Paul Tammaro at .388, Ben Huber at .347, Dominic Freeberger at .343 and Jake Studley at .342.
On the mound the Huskeis have a team ERA of 4.99 with 466 strikeouts in 447.0 innings. Closer Justin Willis has eight saves in 18 appearances, allowing just five earned runs this season (2.55 ERA).
Scouting the Bluejays: 24-22, 9-9 BIG EAST
Creighton's 2023 season can safely be described as a roller coaster, the Bluejays were alone in first place at 9-3 after sweeping St. John's and Butler on April 30. Since the calendar turned to May, however, the Bluejays have been swept by Xavier and Seton Hall.
Creighton is hitting .257 as a team, led by a trio near the .300 mark. Sophomore Hogan Helligso the Bluejays' leading hitter at .322, while Sterling Hayes and Jack Grace both check in at .295. On the mound the Bluejays' team ERA is 5.39.
Ben Gbur Supplies First Walk-Off Blast Since 2018
Delivering his best single game as a Bluejay, grad transfer Ben Gbur delivered the first walk-off home run for Creighton since Mike Emodi in 2018 (March 17 vs. Wichita State) as Gbur launched his second two-run shot of the game to lift Creighton to a 4-2
victory over Omaha on May 16.
Gbur Prefers the Local Cuisine
In five games this season against Nebraska and Omaha, Bluejay outfielder Ben Gbut is hitting .412 (7-for-17) with six RBI, two home runs and three doubles. Gbur is hitting .116 (10-for-86) with two home runs and 11 RBI during the other 35 games he has appeared in.
The Road to Prasco
Entering the final weekend two spots in the BIG EAST Tournament hang in the balance. Connecticut and Xavier have clinched spots, while Seton Hall, Creighton, Georgetown and
Villanova have work to do.
The Pirates have the inside track at 10-8, with a magic number of two. Creighton (9-9) and Georgetown (8-9) each need three results in its favor, while Villanova is one game away from being eliminated at 7-10.
The Bluejays face #9 Connecticut, while Seton Hall plays Villanova and Georgetown faces Xavier.
Servais Holds His Own Against Ranked Foes
Since taking over the reigns in 2004, head coach Ed Servais has guided the Bluejays to a 22-37 mark against ranked teams. In home games the Bluejays at 11-13 against ranked opponents under Servais.
Creighton's last win over a ranked team came in 2019 when the Bluejays upended Oregon State to eliminate the 16th ranked Beavers in the NCAA Tournament. Creighton's last home win over a ranked foe came in 2017 as the Bluejays took two of three from #15 St. John's.
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball2013 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
