Seattle, Wash. — A six-run fifth and a dominant opening day start from sophomore Dylan Tebrake helped Creighton Baseball post a 7-0 win in the 2020 season opening game on Friday, Feb. 14th.
The win moved the Bluejays to 1-0 on the season, while Seattle fell to 0-1.
Dreary weather forecasts throughout the weekend, forced Creighton and Seattle to play a seven-inning season opener as the two squads try to play a doubleheader on opening day.
The Bluejays seized an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second via a home run to left off the bat of sophomore Jared Wegner. Creighton extended its edge to 7-0 in the fifth, taking advantage of seven walks in the frame.
Freshman Jack Grace opened the inning with a six-pitch walk, then freshman Cam Frederick reached on a fielders choice. Junior Will Hanafan drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases with Bluejays, then sophomore Andrew Meggs earned a five-pitch free pass to chase Seattle starter Jarrod Billig. The Seattle bullpen issued three more free bases as the Bluejays walked their way to a 5-0 advantage. Finally junior David Vilches delivered a two-run single to close out the Creighton scoring, pushing the lead to 7-0
Already cruising on the mound, Tebrake (1-0) struck out the side in the fifth to maintain his 7-0 lead. Tebrake gave way to sophomore Tommy Steier for the final two innings as the Bluejays capture the win. Tebrake allowing one hit in five innings and closed the game with five strikeouts, while Billing took the loss (0-1) allowing five runs in four innings of work.
Seattle, Wash. — Creighton Baseball settled for a split of its opening day doubleheader as the Bluejays dropped the nightcap 7-2 at Seattle.
Creighton fell to 1-1 on the season, while Seattle University also moved to 1-1.
Just as Creighton did in the opening game, the Bluejays seemed poised to strike first when senior Parker Upton laced a two-out double to right in the top of the first inning, but the opportunity got away from Creighton.
Once more in the second the Bluejays put a runner in scoring position as Nick Gile and Evan Spry delivered back-to-back two-out single to put men at the corners. This time a ground out to short proved to be Creightons undoing.
The Bluejays put at least one man in each of the first eight innings, but did not punch one across until the seventh.
Seattle, meanwhile, took the lead with four runs in the third. The Redhawks opened the inning with four consecutive single to chase Bluejay starter Ryan Windham.
The Redhawks added two unearned in the fourth, then pushed across their final run in the seventh on a double from Justin Mazzone and an RBI knock by Chase Wells.
Creightons two runs came via senior Ryan Mantle. Mantle delivered an RBI walk in the seventh and an RBI single in the ninth.
Windham took the loss (0-1), allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk in two innings.
Seattles Ethan Christianson picked up the win (1-0) with five innings of shutout ball, scattering five hits and a walk.
The Bluejays and Redhawks are planning to play the series finale on Saturday, Feb. 15th at 4:00 pm (CT), weather permitting.
