Creighton Baseball Falls To UCONN, 8-7

Omaha, Neb. -- Trailing 8-0 as the game moved to the bottom of the eighth, Creighton Baseball rallied for seven runs over the final two frames but fell to Connecticut 8-7 in the Bluejays BIG EAST opener on Friday, April 4.

The loss moved the Bluejays to 17-8 on the season and 0-1 in conference play, while the Huskies climbed to 13-15 overall and 2-2 in BIG EAST action.

Creighton starter Dominic Cancellieri took the loss (0-1), allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and six walks in 1.2 innings.

Creighton offense began to ramp up in the eighth as Will MacLean drew a one-out walk, then Connor Capece singled to left. Kyle Hess followed with a two-run double to right, then three consecutive walks brought the game to 8-3. With two down in the frame Ben North looped a three-run double down the left field line to make it 8-6.

In the ninth the Bluejays continued to fight back with an RBI double from Matt Scherrman, but stranded him at second.

Connecticut starter Oliver Pudvar moved to 4-1 on the season by earning the win. The southpaw did not allow a run over seven innings, scattering six hits and three walks. The Huskies called upon closer Brady Aftim to get the final four outs to earn his fifth save of the season.

Creighton and Connecticut continue the three-game series on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Charles Schwab Field Omaha.