Bluejay Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader and Series at Villanova
Plymouth Meeting, Pa. -- Creighton Baseball posted a pair of convincing wins to sweep the three-game series at Villanova, taking the opening game 20-2 then winning 14-3 in eight innings to complete the series on Saturday, April 18. The Bluejays moved to 21-16 with two wins on Saturday and 7-2 in BIG EAST action, while Villanova fell to 12-23 overall and 0-9 in conference contests.
Game 1: Creighton 20, Villanova 2
The Bluejays scored early and often, pushing across five runs in the second inning to take command. Chris Baillargeon delivered a two-run blast in the second and Ben North cleared the bases with a three-run double to put Creighton up 5-0.
The Jays added two in the fourth, one in the sixth, nine in the seventh and three more to coast to the easy win. Nick Venteicher led Creighton at the plate with four RBI and three runs scored, including a two run homer in the fourth. Connor Capece also left the yard with a three-run bomb in the seventh.
Bluejay reliever Jakob Ruhl earned the win (3-1) with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, while Villanova starter Jake Kelley took the loss (2-4). Kelley allowed seven runs on seven hits in three innings of work.
Game 2: Creighton 14, Villanova 3 (8 innings)
Trailing 1-0 after one frame the Bluejays plated five in the second, five in the fourth and two runs in both the fifth and eighth innings to seal the run-rule win in eight innings.
Creighton pushed across five runs in the second with the benefit of just one hit, taking advantage of four hit batter and three walks in the frame.
The Bluejay advantage grew to 10-0 in the fourth, keyed by a three-run double from Capece.
Starter Wilson Magers earned the win (1-0) with four innings of one-run ball, while Villanova starter Bobby Finn took the loss (1-2). Finn allowed five runs on one hit, four walks and three hit batters in 1.2 innings.
Offensively Capece closed the doubleheader with nine RBI, while Venteicher has six RBI
The Bluejays return to Omaha for a midweek battle on the road against the Omaha Mavericks on Wednesday, April 22.