Omaha, Neb. — After building a 7-1 lead in the top of the eighth, Bluejay Baseball hung on to post a 7-6 win over Omaha on Tuesday, April 9.
The win pushed Creighton to 24-5 on the season, while Omaha fell to 8-21.
After two scoreless innings, Creighton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third as Cuyler Zukowski drove an RBI single to left center, plating Teddy Deters.
Omaha answered with a run on an RBI single from Cardel Dick, but Maverick ran into an out to close the frame.
Creighton responded with a pair of runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth. Senior Nolan Clifford gave Creighton the lead for good with a two-run single up the middle with the bags full in the fourth. The ensuing frame saw Ben North deliver an RBI single to left, then North scored on a double steal as Matt Scherrman drew a throw to second which allowed North to cross.
Jack Grace and Zukowski each delivered RBI knocks in the eighth, as Grace blasted an RBI double to left center and Zukowski drove in the seventh run with an RBI ground out to make it 7-1.
The Mavericks answered with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to draw within striking distance at 7-4. Creighton countered by bringing in closer Mason Koch for the final frame. The Omaha native opened the inning with a walk, then a strikeout. But two more free passes put the winning run at the plate. A deep sacrifice fly to center made it 7-5, then an RBI single moved the game to a one run contest. Koch rallied to strike out Omaha lead off man Matt Goetzmann to earn his fourth save of the season.
Creighton senior Daniel Hammond picked up the win (3-0), with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, while Omaha reliever Nick Scanlon suffered the loss (0-1). Scanlon allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in an inning. Bluejay reliever Tommy Lamb was excellent in relief, striking out seven consecutive batters in 2.1 innings.
The Bluejays head out for their first road BIG EAST series of the season as Creighton will open its series at Xavier on Friday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m.
