Baseball Battles Salukis in Three Game Set at CU Sports Complex
3/26/2009 5:15:00 PM | Baseball
Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton will look to get back in the win column as it plays its conference home opener against Southern Illinois in a three-game set...CU is coming off a midweek split against North Dakota after dropping the last game of the series 7-6, despite owning a 6-5 advantage heading into the ninth...The team has been plagued by its starting pitching which is averaging an ERA of 6.00...At the plate the team has been red hot as the Jays have had 10+ hits in seven of their last eight games...Individually the group is led by T.J. Roemmich who is hitting .393 (33-84)...He is second in the MVC in both home runs (5) and total bases (56), while placing fourth in average...Preseason All-MVC selection Darin Ruf leads the team with 22 RBI, and is tied with Roemmich for the team lead in home runs and total bases...CU's best starting pitcher has been Jonas Dufek recently, who has gone a combined 13.1 innings his last two starts, including a 7.1 effort at Coastal Carolina, where he surrendered just one run.
Scouting the Salukis
Southern Illinois enters the weekend's tilt as one of just two teams in the MVC with a perfect record after a week of action...Along with Missouri State, SIU is also 3-0 after sweeping Northern Iowa in Carbondale, Ill., last weekend....Overall the team is on a season-high four game winning streak after defeating Arkansas State, 10-3 on Wednesday...At the plate the Salukis' best hitter has been Mark Kelly who is tied with Bluejay Darin Ruf for second in the MVC with 22 RBI...Also helping to lead the offensive charge is Chris Serritella who leads the club with a .612 slugging percentage, including a team-best four home runs...The weekend rotation will feature Andrew Dunn on Sunday, who has been SIU's best starter thus far in the season...Dunn has gone 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA in a team-high 29.0 innings this year over eight appearances, including three starts...Last Sunday Dunn threw 6.0 shutout innings to get the win over UNI.
Series History
Creighton has had success of late in the series with Southern Illinois, going 5-2 in the last seven contests. Known more for the two schools' basketball rivalry, the baseball teams have had close games recently, as the last three contests have all been decided by one run. In those three games, CU is 1-2, including a season-ending loss to SIU 6-5, in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament last year.
Overall Southern Illinois owns a 57-48 all-time series advantage.
Chanticleer Matchup
Sunday's matchup of Andrew Dunn vs. Jonas Dufek will be an intriguing one as each gotten the start against one of the teams' common opponents to this point, Coastal Carolina. Dufek threw 7.1 innings, allowing just one run in Creighton's 1-0 loss. Dunn went 4.0 innings against the Chanticleers allowing nine runs on 12 hits.
Other Common Opponent
The other opponent Creighton and Southern Illinois have in common is the team that just left Omaha on Wednesday, North Dakota. Creighton split the midweek series with the Fighting Sioux, who took two out of three against Southern Illinois in Carbondale. Of the Fighting Sioux's five wins, three have come against the Bluejays and Salukis.
Right At Home in the Valley
Friday marks the conference home opener for the Bluejays in 2009. CU is on quite a winning streak in its conference home opener, where it hasn't lost since a 2001 loss to Northern Iowa.
Fast Start
The Bluejays have gotten out to quick leads in each of their past six games. The team has scored in the first inning in six straight contests for the first time since it did it from April 22-May 5, 2007.
Six Run Rule
Tuesday's series opener against North Dakota proved to be a little more difficult than the Jays had bargained for. The game marked the first time that CU has won when allowing six or more runs. For the season Creighton is 1-9 when allowing six+.
On the flip side, Creighton has yet to win a game when scoring five or less runs, going 0-11. However Creighton is 8-3 when scoring six+ of their own. The Bluejays scored six in their loss to the Fighting Sioux on Wednesday.
10+ Club
Prior to Wednesday, the Creighton offense had collected at least 10 hits in its last seven games, before just getting nine in the series finale against the Fighting Sioux. The last time CU had a team collect 10 or more hits in seven straight games was April 20-May 4, 2007.
No Room For Error
The first part of the season has proven tough on fans have fragile nerves. After Wednesday's 7-6 loss, nine of CU's first 22 contests have been decided by two or fewer runs. In those contests the Jays have yet to come out on top, going 0-9.
Let's Play Six
This season, the outcome of the game has been decided for the most part after six innings. In 22 games played this year, the team leading after six is 17-1. In three ties so far this year after the two-thirds mark, CU is 1-3.
Creighton blew its first lead of the year, when leading after eight innings on Wednesday, dropping to 8-1.
Beware the 25th of March
March 25 has been a productive day for Darin Ruf the last two years. After homering twice on the day last year against South Dakota State, he hit a home run in the first inning on Wednesday against North Dakota to give him three home runs in the last two years on March 25.
Loving Nature
On Sunday against Indiana State, the Bluejays had their 12-game winning streak against the Sycamores snapped. Even with the loss, Creighton has won 18 of the last 20 meetings between the two schools, and has not lost at home against ISU since May 4, 2002.
Streak Snapper
After starting 0-22 through the first six games of the season, Vicente Cafaro was on a 14-game hitting streak, a current team-high, before going 0-4 Tuesday. During the streak Cafaro was 23-55 (.418).
Streak Snapper Part II
Tuesday snapped another streak for the Bluejays as reliever Matt Patterson surrendered his first earned run of the season. He has thrown 15.0 innings, and hitters are batting just .233 against him, to go along with his now 1.20 ERA, first among pitchers who have thrown 10.0 + innings.
In the team's first win on March 1 he threw a career-high 2.2 innings of relief to hold off a Notre Dame comeback attempt. In a key spot during the eighth inning, Patterson struck out consensus All-American A.J. Pollock, who had previously homered in the game, to keep the Creighton lead at 4-3.
Lacking Nothing
In the series opener against Indiana State, Bob Lackovic had a career-performance in shutting down the Sycamores to preserve the 9-4 win. He threw a career-high 3.1 innings, including a career-best four strikeouts, as he picked up his first win of the season.
Valley Openers
Creighton was able to snap its three-game losing streak in conference openers, last Friday at Indiana State as the team won 7-3.
This year marked the seventh straight season that CU has opened its conference schedule on the road. The last time the Jays were at home to open MVC play was March 22, 2002 against Illinois State.
The matchup with the Sycamores was the first time since 1999 that the two teams have met to open the conference season for the Jays. In that span, CU has played Illinois State three times, Missouri State twice Wichita State once, Northern Iowa once, Bradley once and Evansville once to open the conference schedule. The only team Creighton has not opened MVC play with in that time is Southern Illinois, as the two teams last did it in 1998.
Long Ball
As a team in the series finale against South Dakota State on March 15, Creighton launched four home runs en route to its 12-3 victory. That total is the most hit by the Bluejays since April 22, 2007, when the team hit five against Indiana State.
Going Going Gone
On March 15 in the second game of the double header against South Dakota State, right fielder T.J. Roemmich hit two home runs. For the season he has five home runs and 16 RBI, both career-highs.
Prior to the game, the last Bluejay to hit two home runs in a game was Robbie Knight, who hit two against Missouri on May 5, 2008.
Milestone Marker
On March 14 against South Dakota State, head coach Ed Servais reached the 200 wins mark during his time at Creighton. Over his first six seasons at the helm of CU, Servais is 200-110-1.
Home Sweet Home
The series on March 14-15 against South Dakota State marked the home opener for Creighton after spending its first 14 games on the road. Among the places the Bluejays traveled to over the first 14 games are Texas, Arizona, Kansas, South Carolina and North Carolina.
The Bluejays extended their home opener winning streak to eight games with their 8-2 win over South Dakota State. The group has not lost its first home game of the season since a 2001 defeat to Northern Iowa, 5-3. Under head coach Ed Servais the team is 5-0.
Developing a Complex
Last season at the CU Sports Complex, CU was 18-1. The only loss of the season came in the team's last regular season game, against Louisiana-Monroe.
This season the team has already surpassed its loss total at the site, going 3-2 in its first five games.
Great Defense
The 8-2 win over South Dakota State on March 14 marked the third time in four games, Creighton had held the opposition to two runs or less. The last time that happened was April 26-May 3, 2008, when Creighton allowed just two runs in three games combined.
He's a Saturday Guy
Saturdays for shortstop Elliot Soto have produced career-high results. On March 7, against Albany, Soto had a career-high four hits, going 4-6 with three runs scored. On Saturday, March 14 against South Dakota State, he tied his career-high going 4-5 with two runs scored.
Offensive Offense
In the last two outings of its spring trip, Creighton scored a combined two runs, after being shutout 1-0 to Coastal Carolina and losing 6-2 to UNC-Wilmington. It is the lowest output in back-to-back games for the Jays since April 6-7, 2007 against Wichita State when the team lost 2-1 and 7-1.
Leader in the Clubhouse
Senior Darin Ruf needed just 13 putouts March 14 to become the all-time leader in CU history. He picked up those 13, moved into the lead. Ruf, who now has 1852 career putouts, was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2007, for his defensive play at first base.
Career Performance
Greg Hellhake pitched the best game of his career thus far March 14 against South Dakota State. He went a Bluejay career-high seven innings, allowing just two runs on five hits. He struck out two and walked just two.
Career Performance II
Jonas Dufek pitched the best game of his career thus far on March 10 against No. 14 Coastal Carolina. He went a Bluejay season-high 7.1 innings, allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out four and walked just two.
All Conference Performance
T.J. Roemmich was named MVC Player of the Week on March 9, for his 9-20 performance during the week of March 2-8. His .450 average was a team-high as well as his three home runs, which all occurred in the last three games of the week.
Stranded
This season the Creighton offense has struggled at times from a lack of run production, but not from a lack of opportunities. On the season the Bluejays have had 388 total base runners compared to their opponents having just 322 total base runners.
Creighton has had 127 of its 388 runners score for a 32.73 %.
Its opponents have had 120 of its 322 runners score for a 37.27 %.
Lucky Day
Dan Blair's lucky day is apparently March 8. Before the game against IPFW, he had not had a hit since March 8, 2008. In the game on March 8, of this year he had his first career double.
Freshmen Fire
Creighton has gotten some help in its bullpen from freshmen Brandon Koenigstein and Otto Roberts. The two have combined to strikeout 23 hitters in 21.0 innings of work.
Eight Ball
Through the team's first eight games, only T.J. Roemmich had a hit in every game. During the streak he went 11-33 (.333), which was good for third on the team.
Can We Do This Annually?
On June, 2, 2007 Creighton beat Albany 21-11 in the teams' inaugural matchup at the NCAA Regional held at Fayetteville, Ark.
On March 7, in the schools' second-ever matchup, CU broke out of an early season slump, scoring 20 runs.
In the two teams' meetings, the Jays own a 41-16 advantage.
Not a Good First Impression
The Bluejays finally broke their six-game losing streak on March 1 against Notre Dame. It is the first time in Creighton's recorded history that it started 0-6.
Creighton's six-game losing streak was not something the program is used to. The streak was the longest since a 2003 stretch saw the team lose six straight contests from April 18-April 25.
Good Offensive Display
After not having a big offensive display in almost a year, on March 1 against Notre Dame Creighton knocked out 16 hits, en route to a 6-3 victory. Those 16 hits were the most by the team since March 16, 2008 against Chicago State. Creighton has since had three 17+ hit performances in the last month. (20 vs. Albany on 3/7, 17 vs. South Dakota State on 3/15 and 18 vs. North Dakota on 3/24)
Breaking the Luck of the Irish
The March 1 win against Notre Dame snapped an eight-game losing streak for Creighton against the Fighting Irish. Prior to Sunday's game, Creighton had not beaten Notre Dame since March 13, 1983.
No Rest On Sundays
Robbie Knight has been on a tear in the Bluejays' Sunday games thus far. In six games, Knight has batted a team-high .560 (14-25) with two doubles and three RBI to go along with six runs scored.
Raging Bull
Those that have watched Bluejay closer Kirk Clark warm up in the bullpen, have most likely noticed his mannerisms of pacing back and forth just before being called in.
In the ninth inning on March 1 against Notre Dame, Clark got the chance to close the door on the Irish as he picked up his first career save. He retired the side in order, striking out two of the three hitters he faced.
In nine appearances this year, opponents are only hitting .233 against him.
That's Efficient
March 1 against Notre Dame Greg Hellhake was able to keep the Bluejays out of serious trouble through the first four innings, without having much work for himself. Hellhake needed just 33 pitches through the first four innings, as he faced just one above the minimum number of batters.
This is “Hau-er” we do it
On Feb. 27 Jeremy Hauer had a very impressive start against Dayton. He threw 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just five hits while also striking out five. It was his best start since May 3, 2008 against Missouri State when he threw 7.2 scoreless innings.
His five strikeouts were his most since March 15, 2008 against Chicago State when he had eight punchouts.
Beware of the Brooms
Creighton is not used to suffering a four-game sweep. Prior to the season opening series against Sam Houston State, Feb. 20-22, the last time Creighton was swept during a four-game series was May 5-6, 2001 in back-to-back doubleheaders against Missouri State.
Extra Extra!
Through the first 22 games this year, Creighton has already played in two extra-inning games. Last season it took 28 games before CU was involved in two extra-inning games. The Bluejays were 5-1 in extra-inning affairs in 2008.
Close Call
The first five of Creighton's losses this year were by two runs or less. It is the first time since April, 11-17, 2007 that five games in a row have been decided by two runs or less.
Prior to last weekend, Creighton had not had five straight losses been decided by two runs or less since 2006,
Below is the last time Creighton had five straight losses decided by two runs or less
Date Opponent Score (Inn.)
4/14/06 at Southern Illinois 2-3 (10)
4/11/06 Kansas State 4-5
4/9/06 Illinois State 13-14
4/4/06 Nebraska 4-6
4/2/06 Wichita State 1-3 (8)
Working on Fundamentals
The opening weekend against Sam Houston State (Feb. 20-22) saw all four games decided by two runs or less, making the execution of fundamentals crucial in deciding the outcomes. On the weekend Bluejay base runners were picked off three times. All of last season CU had just six runners picked off.
Fielding fundamentals also came into play as CU saw it's error total rise in three straight games (0-1-2-3) for the first time since a four game stretch from April 8-15, 2005, when the team also had a streak of (0-1-2-3).
Useless Fact of the Season
Creighton's 8-6 loss on Feb. 20 was somewhat of a rarity for those who have watched the team over the years. Coming into the game, the Bluejays had not lost a game by the score of 8-6 since April 29, 1995 against Bradley, a streak spanning 757 games.
The 7-5 loss on Feb. 21 was a bit more recent as the team last loss by that score on May 12, 2002 against Stetson, a streak spanning 360 games.
Career Series
Sophomore Jimmy Swift had a career series against Sam Houston State (Feb. 20-22). On Feb. 20 night he provided CU with its first two runs of the season, courtesy of a home run in the second inning. It was the first home run of his career. The next day he continued his hot hitting as he hit a double down the left field line to bring in a run. It was the first double of his career, and he finished with four RBI on the weekend, surpassing his previous career season-high of two.
Career Game
Darin Ruf tied a couple of career-highs in the second game of the doubleheader on Feb. 21 against the Bearkats. He tied his previous career bests of hits in a game as well as RBI, as he went 4-4 with five RBI. He also hit the fifth triple of his career.
Good Luck Streak Snapped
Coming into the season opener on Feb. 20, Creighton had been 12-1 in games that pitcher Jeremy Hauer started, including eight straight wins to close the season in 2008. Unfortunately the streak was snapped as Hauer received the loss, going 4.0 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits.
Congrats to Coach Smith
Last week it was announced that Creighton pitching coach Rob Smith was named one of two recipients for 2008 NCAA Teaching Pro Award. The other was Bob Shepherd of North Florida
Smith is one of two CU coaches to be honored for their work last season. In December head coach Ed Servais was tabbed as one of two NCAA FieldTurf Coach of the Year recipients. The other was the College World Series champion Mike Batesole of Fresno State.
No Runs For You
Since Rob Smith took over as pitching coach in 2007, Creighton has finished 14th in ERA in each of the last two seasons. Coming into 2009, the team's overall ERA since Smith took over was 3.71, good for 11th in the nation.
Team ERA
1. Wichita State 3.22
2. North Carolina 3.23
3. Virginia 3.31
4. Rice 3.391
5. Long Beach 3.392
6. San Diego 3.394
7. UC Irvine 3.51
8. Charlotte 3.63
9. Louisville 3.69
10. St. John's 3.713
11. CREIGHTON 3.715
Defense Wins Championships
Since 2007, Creighton owns the second-best fielding percentage in the NCAA. The Bluejays are one of just two schools to finish in the top-10 in fielding percentage in each of the last two years (TCU), and are one of just three schools to finish in the top-15 each of the last two years (TCU and Oregon State). Below are the top fielding percentages since 2007.
Team Fielding Pct.
1. Oregon State - .97559367
2. CREIGHTON - .9754241
3. South Carolina - .97526579
4. TCU - .97506535
Look Out!
Junior Robbie Knight has not been one to be afraid of opposing pitchers coming inside. Knight owns the school record for most hit by pitches during a career with 63. In 2007 he set the NCAA single-season record after being beaned 35 times. He is currently ninth on the NCAA all-time hit by pitch leaderboard.
NCAA Record Book, Career HBP's
Player, Team Years G HBP
Brett Lilley, Notre Dame 2005-08 231 109
Tony Hurtado, San Francico 1997-00 221 92
Cody Rizzo, Notre Dame 2003-06 233 84
Gabe Somarriba, Fla. Atlantic 1999-02 226 81
Mark Muscenti, Cincinnati 2003-06 211 76
Jeff Ontiveros, Texas 1999-02 258 74
Clay Schwartz, Milwaukee 1994-97 180 68
Jay Molina, Illinois State 2003-06 189 65
Robbie Knight, Creighton 2007-Pr. 140 63
Immediate Impact
A member of the Bluejay pitching staff took home MVC Newcomer of the Year for the second consecutive year in 2008. Jeremy Hauer earned the honor last year after going 8-2 with a 3.32 ERA. Andy Masten (4-3, 2.02 ERA, 16 saves) was honored following the 2007 season.
Getting Drafted
The conclusion of the 2008 season saw Creighton lose its go-to guy out of the bullpen. Pat Venditte the only known ambidexterous pitcher in the NCAA last year, was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 20th round in June.
Venditte ranked among the top pitchers in the nation in 2008 in a number of categories. He was 22nd in hits allowed per nine innings with just 6.78 allowed, 24th with 10.53 strikeouts per nine innings, and 30th with nine victories.
Venditte had a great season his first year with the Staten Island Yankees. He was 1-0 with a 0.83 ERA in 32.2 innings. He amassed 23 saves in 30 games pitched. This past fall he won Minor League Short Season Reliever of the Year and was third in voting for Minor League Reliever of the Year.
The Bluejays currently have two players on their roster that have been drafted by Major League teams. This past summer freshman Otto Roberts was drafted in the 23rd round by the Cleveland Indians. In 2007, Elliot Soto was drafted in the 13th round by the Minnesota Twins
Team Sacrifice
Creighton showed team play frequently in 2008, as the squad led the nation in sacrifice bunts with 95. That mark set a new school and MVC record, previously set by CU in 2007, when the team had 93.
