Bluejay Baseball Blows By Butler, 12-7

Indianapolis, Ind. -- Trailing 7-6 entering the eighth inning, Creighton Baseball plated six runs over the final two frames to take the series opening game from Butler on Friday, May 2. During the contest the Bluejays set a program record with 10 stolen bases, led by three from Tate Gillen and Ben North.

The win moved the Bluejays to 29-13 on the season and 10-3 in BIG EAST action, while Butler fell to 14-31 overall and 3-10 in conference action.

Creighton jumped out to a 6-0 early in the game, getting three runs in the first, one in the second and two in the fourth. Gillen drew a five-pitch walk and stole his first base in the opening frame, eventually trotting home from third on an RBI double by Nolan Sailors. A double steal plated Creighton's second run as North swiped second and Sailors stole home. Sailors finished with two stolen bases in the contest. The Bluejays' third run in the first inning crossed via an RBI grounder from Connor Capece.

The lead grew to 4-0 courtesy of an RBI double from Teddy Deters in the second, then to 6-0 on an RBI single by Sailors and a run scoring error.

Butler came charging back with seven runs in the fourth. A solo home run from Jack Bello got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard, but a two-out error opened the door for six unearned runs to cross to give Butler a 7-6 edge.

The game remained 7-6 until Creighton got five runs in the top of the eighth. Kyle Hess was hit by a pitch to start Creighton's rally, then back-to-back bunt singles loaded the bases with no one out. A sacrifice fly from Deters brought the Bluejays even at 7-7, but an intentional walk to Sailors filled the bags once more. Ben North reached on an error as two Creighton runners crossed to make it 9-7, while Capece followed with a two-run single to make it 11-7.

An insurance run crossed on another double steal in the ninth, setting the program record with the ninth and tenth stolen bases of the game. The previous mark of nine steals was set against Oral Roberts on Feb. 26, 1995.

Creighton reliever Matt Aukerman earned his seventh win of the season (7-0) with 1.1 innings of scoreless ball, while Butler's Nate Rosser took the loss (2-4) allowing four runs in one inning.

Gillen finished with three hits to lead Creighton (3-for-4), while Capece closed the game with three RBI.

The Bluejays and Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, May 3 at 1:00 pm.