Bluejay Baseball Blitz Gaels Early, Hangs On For 9-8

Moraga, Calif. – Creighton Baseball came out swinging with a seven-run first, but had to scrape and claw down the stretch to secure a 9-8 win in the series finale at Saint Mary's on Saturday, February 14.

The victory moved Creighton to 2-1 on the season, while the Gaels fell to 1-2. Saint Mary's nabbed the first game of Saturday's doubleheader earlier in the day.

Sending 12 batters to the plate in the opening frame, Rocco Gump opened the contest with a single through the right side but was quickly picked off. Ben North was hit on a 3-2 count, then back-to-back walks to Nate McHugh and Teddy Deters loaded the bases. Connor Capece followed with an RBI grounder up the middle that was misplayed, giving Creighton a 2-0 lead. Chris Baillargeon followed with an RBI single, and Lee Rice laced an RBI double down the right field line. Issac Wachsmann delivered a pivotal three-run blast to center to give Creighton a 7-0 edge.

Saint Mary's answered with one in the first, three in the second and one more in the third, clawing back to within three at 7-4. Tanner Griffith highlighted the SMC rally with a two-run shot in the second.

The Bluejays started the fourth inning off with a single by Deters and consecutive walks to Capece and Baillargeon, but a double-play limited Creighton to just one run.

The Gaels responded with a run in the fifth to bring the game to 8-6, while each squad pushed across a run in the sixth. Creighton's tally came on another Saint Mary's miscue, scoring on a throwing error that happened as the Gaels tried to end the inning by turning two.

A solo shot from by SMC's Brett Williams in the eighth moved the contest to a one-run affair.

Creighton freshman reliever Brian Gould earned the win (1-0), holding the Gaels to two runs on five hits in three innings. Bluejay senior Ian Koosman earned the save, allowing two runs over the final four innings. Koosman induced a game-ending double play in the ninth to secure the series win. 

Gaels starter, Noah Waldeck, took the loss surrendering seven runs on four hits and two walks in one-third of an inning

Creighton returns home before returning to California next weekend to face UC San Diego, University of San Diego and Utah in the Tony Gwynn Tournament next weekend.