Miller Lifts Baseball Past Utah Valley, 6-2

OMAHA, Neb. - Led by over four innings of hitless from junior Connor Miller, the Creighton Baseball team downed Utah Valley 6-2 in the series opener on Friday, March 13.

The win pushed the Bluejays to 7-6 on the season, while Utah Valley dropped to 3-13 overall.

The Wolverines got out in front with a run in the top of the first, but Creighton starter Jeff Albrecht limited the damage by picking off a runner at second to end the frame.

Small ball helped Creighton take the lead in the second as the Bluejays scored two runs on three hits. Junior Brett Murray opened the inning with a single to right. One out later he went to third on a single up the middle by junior Harrison Crawford. Sophomore Kevin Connolly followed with a beautiful bunt single down the third base line to tie the game at 1-1. Moments later freshman Luke Horanski worked a five pitch walk to load the bags and senior David Wiedeman earned an RBI by hustling to break up a potential inning-ending double play.

Utah Valley chase Albrecht in the fifth as the Wolverine used a double, single and a walk to tie the game at 2-2. With two out and runners at first and second, Miller came on to shut the door with a four-pitch strikeout.

Miller's punchout gave the Bluejays offense life as Creighton reclaimed the lead with three runs on three hits in the home half of the fifth.

Sophomore Daniel Woodrow worked a walk to open the inning, but was at third with two down. Creighton's cleanup hitter, Murray, earned the title by smacking an RBI double to left. Up 3-2 junior Ryan Fitzgerald punched an RBI single to center and finally Crawford brought home Fitzgerald with a triple into the right field corner.

That was more than enough offense for Miller as he breezed through the Wolverine over the next four innings, allowing just one walk in 4.1 innings of relief work to earn his first win (1-0) as a Bluejay.

Utah Valley starter, Danny Beddes, took the loss (1-4) allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks in five innings.

The middle of the Creighton order accounted for eight of the Bluejays 10 hits as Murray, Fitzgerald, Crawford and Connolly each finished with two hits in the contest.

Creighton and Utah Valley will continue their four-game series on Saturday, March 14 with a doubleheads beginning at 1 pm.

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Team Stats

Brett Murray

Ryan Fitzgerald

Harrison Crawford

Kevin Connolly

Players Mentioned

Jeff Albrecht

Kevin Connolly

Harrison Crawford

Ryan Fitzgerald

Luke Horanski

Connor Miller

Brett Murray

David Wiedeman

Daniel Woodrow