Early Offense Helps Bluejay Baseball Evens Series with UConn, 14-2

Omaha, Neb. -- Pushing across nine runs in the first three innings, Creighton Baseball evened its series with UConn as the Bluejays delivered a 14-2 win on Saturday, April 5.

The win moved the Bluejays to 18-8 on the season and 1-1 in BIG EAST play, while Connecticut fell to 13-16 overall and 2-3 in conference action.

An inauspicious start saw Connecticut load the bags with one down in the first via two hit batters and one walk, but Creighton starter Jack Pineau worked out of the jam without any damage by inducing a pop out to first and striking out Bryan Padilla.

The momentum carried over to the plate for the Bluejay hitters as Tate Gillen drew a leadoff walk, then Dakota Duffalo and Nolan Sailors delivered back-to-back doubles down the left field line to give Creighton a 2-0 edge. Before the frame closed Teddy Deters and Will MacLean laced RBI singles and a fifth run crossed on a Husky error.

Creighton's offense put up another crooked number in the third inning, plating four runs on four hits. Duffalo opened the scoring in the third with a two-run single, while Ben North and Deters each pushed across runs with RBI singles.

Three additional Bluejay runs crossed in the sixth on an RBI grounder from Matt Scherrman and a two-run single from Gillen to extend Creighton's lead to 12-0.

Connecticut scratched the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the seventh. The Husky tallies both crossed on a two-run double down the right field line from designated hitter Ryan Daniels.

The Bluejays answered with two more in their half as Nate McHugh lined a sacrifice fly to left and Matt Scherrman laced an RBI single up the middle.

Making his second appearance of the season, Pineau earned the win (1-0) with three innings of scoreless ball. Connecticut starter Cayden Suchy took the loss (3-4), surrendering five runs (three earned) on eight hits and one walk in 1.1 frames.

The rubber game of the series is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 6.