Bluejay Baseball Beats Villanova in Extras on Saturday

Bluejay Baseball Beats Villanova in Extras on Saturday
May 23rd, 2022 | Creighton Athletics

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. — After waiting through lightning and rain on Friday, the Creighton Baseball squad arrived at Villanova Ballpark planning for a doubleheader on Saturday, May 21. The first game was set for seven innings, while game two was scheduled for the traditional nine. It took ten innings in the opener, but the Bluejays earned a 7-5 win over the Wildcats. The length of the first contest prevented the two teams from playing the second game as Creighton’s return flight to Omaha was set to depart at 6:00 pm (ET).

Saturday’s win lifted the Bluejays to 30-16 on the season as well as 15-5 in BIG EAST play, while Villanova closed its 2022 campaign at 19-29-1 overall and 8-12 in conference action.

Creighton got on the scoreboard first in the top of the fourth as junior Jared Wegner singled, senior Chris Esposito doubled, junior Jack Grace walked and freshman Nolan Sailors lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.

Villanova countered with two runs in the bottom of the frame on a two-run double from catcher Will Reiner.

The Wildcats pushed their lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth, getting an RBI single from Jack Reilly and RBI walks by Reiner as well as shortstop Pat O’Neil.

Creighton rallied with four runs in the top of the sixth, all coming with two down. Wegner got things going once more with a leadoff single, then with one down Grace singled. Wegner was cut down on a fielder’s choice at third, but sophomore Nolan Clifford and freshman Hogan Helligso delivered RBI singles to cut the deficit to 5-3. Leadoff hitter junior Andrew Meggs loaded the bags with a single to center, then sophomore Kyle Hess knotted the game at 5-5 with an two-run single to right.

Stellar bullpen work from both teams kept the game tied into the tenth as both squads left runners at second and third with just one out in the eighth inning.

In the tenth inning the Bluejay offense broke through as Helligso drew a four-pitch walk, Meggs reached on a fielder’s choice. Hess put runners at the corners with a single and sophomore Alan Roden yanked an RBI double into right-center. Wegner added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to give Creighton a 7-5 edge.

Junior reliever Paul Bergstrom got the first two men Villanova’s hald of the tenth, then junior Marc Lidd came on for the final out to earn his fourth save of the season.

Creighton reliever Ryan Windham earned the win (1-0) with a scoreless ninth inning. Villanova’s Cameron Mathes took the loss (0-2), allowing two runs on three hits in 2.2 innings.

By not having time to play the third game of the series the Bluejays missed an opportunity to earn a share of the regular season title as Connecticut was swept by Georgetown.

The Bluejays’ season will continue in the BIG EAST Tournament on Thursday, May 26 as Creighton (the overall second seed) faces Xavier (three seed) in a game set to begin at 6:30 pm (ET).

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