Gump Powers Bluejay Baseball Into BIG EAST Finals in 7-4 Win Over Xavier

Mason, Ohio -- Creighton graduate third baseman Rocco Gump continued a masterful tournament performance, leading No. 4 seed Creighton to a 7-4 triumph over No. 3 seed Xavier Saturday night in the semifinal of the 2026 BIG EAST Baseball Championship Presented by Jeep at Prasco Park.
 
The Bluejays advance to the championship game on Sunday at 8:00 am (CT) against No. 1 seed St. John's. An if-necessary game will be scheduled for approximately 12:00 pm (CT) on Sunday.
 
Gump hit a perfect 4-for-4 on the day, with two home runs and a walk. For the tournament, Gump is now hitting 8-for-11 with four runs scored, seven RBI, two triples and two home runs.
 
Working through a defensive battle through the opening five innings, Creighton and Xavier sat even at 1-1 heading into the top of the sixth inning. Xavier's junior catcher Jonathan Fitz opened the scoring in the bottom of the second, before Gump matched him with a solo bomb in the top of the fifth.
 
The Bluejays broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning with four runs tallied. The scoring was jump started by an RBI single to left field by sophomore second baseman Nick Venteicher, sending graduate right fielder Teddy Deters home for a 2-1 advantage. 
 
Gump followed it up with a three-run rocket over the right field wall, scoring graduate Chris Baillargeon and redshirt junior catcher Cooper Fuchino.
 
Xavier attempted to claw back into the game in the bottom of the sixth, with graduate third baseman Luke Hammond collecting an RBI single to kick off the inning. Xavier then earned back-to-back walks by junior designated hitter Peter Johnson and senior second baseman Tanner Thomas with the bases loaded, to cut the deficit to one run, 5-4.
 
Creighton graduate shortstop Ben North responded in the top of the seventh with a solo shot to right center, collecting his 11th home run of the season.
 
Venteicher added an insurance run for the Bluejays before Xavier responded with a double play of its own to close out the top of the ninth, as the sophomore collected an RBI single to send junior catcher Connor Capece home for a 7-4 lead.
 
2026 BIG EAST Baseball Championship Schedule
Thursday, May 21 (ESPN+)
Game 1: No. 1 seed St. John's 4, No. 4 seed Creighton 2
Game 2: No. 3 seed Xavier 5, No. 2 UConn 1
Game 3: No. 4 seed Creighton 7, No. 2 seed UConn 4 (Elimination Game)

Saturday, May 23 (ESPN+)
Game 4: No. 1 seed St. John's 17, No. 3 seed Xavier 6
Game 5: No. 4 seed Creighton 7, No. 3 seed Xavier 4 (Elimination Game)

Sunday, May 24 (ESPN+)
Game 6: No. 1 seed St. John's vs. No. 4 seed Creighton – 9 a.m. ET
Game 7 No. 1 seed St. John's vs. No. 4 seed Creighton (If Necessary) – 1 p.m. ET