Bluejay Baseball Takes Series with 7-6 Win Over Gonzaga

Omaha, Neb. -- Creighton Baseball claimed its second series win of the season with a 7-6 win over Gonzaga on Sunday, March 8. The victory pushed the Bluejays to 5-7 on the season, while Gonzaga fell to 4-9.

Creighton dashed out to a 6-1 lead with a five-run second and single run third, but needed a game-winning RBI single from newcomer Lew Rice to claim the series.

Gonzaga pushed across the first run of the game, scoring on a double, a single and a sacrifice fly in the top of the second. Creighton answered immediately with five runs on two hits in the bottom half. Connor Capece opened the frame by drawing a hit-by-pitch, one out later a single from Chris Baillargeon put Bluejays on the corners, then a walk to Rice filled the bags. Nick Venteicher drew an RBI base on balls, then Rocco Gump lined a two-run double down the right field line to give Creighton a 3-1 edge. Venteicher crossed on a wild pitch and Gump came around via a sac fly from Nate McHugh.

The Bluejays pushed their edge to 6-1 in the third as Ben North walked, stole second and went to third on a throwing error. The Bluejay shortstop scored moments later on a sac fly from Isaac Wachsmann.

Gonzaga rallied for five runs on five hits to knot the game at 6-6 in the fifth, but reliever Evan Stratton held the Zags right there. Creighton reclaimed the lead in the bottom half with one out singles from Capece and Wachsmann and the two-out RBI single through the right side from Rice.

Stratton worked 1.2 innings of scoreless ball to pick up the win (1-0), while Matt Goldenbaum worked 2.2 frames of one-hit relief to earn his first save. Gonzaga reliever Garrett Gores took the loss (0-2), allowing one run on three hits in 3.1 frames.

Gump, Rice and Wachsmann each finished the game with two hits to guide Creighton.

Creighton returns to action on Tuesday, March 10 as the Bluejays face the defending national champion LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge at 6:30 pm.