Baseball Preview: Bluejays Head to California for Three-Game Series with Saint Mary's

Omaha, Neb. -- Creighton Baseball begins a new era as this weekend will mark the first games on Mark Kingson. The Bluejays travel to Moraga, California for a three-game series against Saint Mary's College. A late schedule change will have the opener begin on Friday at 4:00 p.m., while the squads will play a doubleheader on Saturday.

Creighton at Saint Mary's

Feb. 13 @ 4:00 p.m. - ESPN+
Feb. 14 @ 12:00 p.m. - ESPN+
Feb. 14 @ TBA - ESPN+

Live Stats: https://creighton.statbroadcast.com

Probable Pitching Matchups
Game 1 ERA W-L App GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO
CU - Jack Pineau (RHP)
SMC - John Damozonio (RHP_

Game 2 ERA W-L App GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO
CU - Wilson Magers (So.-RHP)
SMC - Cam Staton (RHP)

Game 3 ERA W-L App GS CG SHO IP H R ER BB SO
CU - Eli Nissen (So.-LHP)
SMC - TBA

Series History: Creighton Leads Saint Mary's College, 4-1
The Bluejays and Gaels have played five times, including a three-game set in Charles Schwab Field in 2025. After dropping the series opening game last season, Creighton won the final two to take the series.

Date Opponent Result
2/22/97 $ vs. Saint Mary's W, 10-5
3/10/99 # vs. Saint Mary's W, 9-4
3/22/25 vs. Saint Mary's L, 6-11
3/23/25 vs. Saint Mary's W, 6-2(7)
3/23/25 vs. Saint Mary's W, 6-5 (8)

$ - Phoenix-Oakland A's Tournament
# - Notre Dame Irish Classic in San Antonio, Texas

Bluejays not Blue Jays:
Creighton's mascot is the Bluejays or Bluejay, one word. Conversely the MLB Toronto team is the Blue Jays.

Scouting the Gaels (2026: 0-0, 0-0 WCC)
Saint Mary's reached the NCAA Tournament last season, opening the Oregon State regional with an upset win over the Beavers before falling to USC and Oregon State.

Finishing last season 36-25, the Gaels opening day starter John Damozonio went 4-3 with 20 appearances and seven starts. He posted an ERA of 6.20 in 53 innings with 44 strikeouts. He threw two scoreless innings in the series opener against Creighton last season.

Scouting the Bluejays (2026: 0-0, 0-0 BIG EAST)
Similar to the Gaels, the Bluejays returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2025. Creighton split four games at the Arkansas Regional, defeating Kansas and North Dakota State. Creighton reached the regional final, but fell to eventual CWS squad and host, Arkansas.

The Bluejays return two starters from it rotation at the close of the season in Jack Pineau and Wilson Magers. The Sunday spot will see the return of Eli Nissen, who was sidelined throughout the 2025 campaign.

Opening Day
In the 57 recorded openers, Creighton is 29-28. The Bluejays fell 5-3 win at UNC Greensboro. This will be Creighton's first season under Mark Kingston. During his 15 seasons as a head coach, Kingston is 11-4 (Illinois State 3-2, USF 3-0, South Carolina 5-2).

Last 10 Bluejay Opening Days
Date Opponent Score
2/14/25 at UNC Greensboro L, 3-5
2/16/24 at Coppin State W, 24-0
2/17/23 at McNeese State L, 0-1
2/18/22 at Portland L, 2-12
2/26/21 at Lipscomb W, 11-4
2/14/20 at Seattle W, 7-0
2/15/19 at Arkansas-Little Rock W, 10-8
2/16/18 vs. Northeastern W, 15-7
2/17/17 at UAB L, 2-3
2/19/16 at Fresno State L, 1-2

Baseball Preview: Bluejays Head to California for Three-Game Series with Saint Mary's

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Players Mentioned

Wilson Magers

Eli Nissen

Jack Pineau