Lake Charles, La. — In its season opening game with McNeese State, the Creighton Baseball team dropped a 1-0 decision on Friday, February 17.
The loss moved Creighton to 0-1 on the season, while McNeese State moved to 1-0.
Despite struggling at the dish, the Bluejay offense had a few chances early. In the second inning grad transfer Ben Gbur was hit to open the second. Gbur was caught stealing, then freshman Ben North followed with a double to center, but was retired between second and third. Junior Nolan Clifford was cut down on the base paths in the third trying to steal with one down. The Bluejays’ best shot to push across a run came in the eighth as freshman Tate Gillen laced a one-out single to right and Clifford lifted a single to left to put two men on. Senior Andrew Meggs, however, was retired on a grouder to first to close the frame.
Senior Ryan Windham was more than impressive on the mound for the Bluejays, allowing just one run on five hits over six innings. The only run Windham allowed was an unearned tally in the opening frame as he did not walk a batter and struck out a pair. Junior Tommy Lamb tossed a flawless pair of relief frames as well.
McNeese State starter Grant Rogers earned the win (1-0), limiting the Bluejays to two hits over six innings. Cowboy closer Ty Abraham picked up his first save of the season with two innings of scoreless relief.
Creighton’s four hits in the squad came from Clifford (two), Gbur and North.
The Bluejays and Cowboys will continue their three-game series on Saturday, February 18 with first pitch set for 2:00 pm (CT).
