Creighton University’s baseball team opened its home schedule with a doubleheader against Gonzaga on Saturday, March 7. The Bluejays won the first game 2-1 but fell in the second matchup 5-4.
After these games, Creighton’s record stood at 4-7 for the season, while Gonzaga’s moved to 4-8.
In the opening game, Ben North was key for Creighton. He hit a leadoff triple in the second inning and scored on a sacrifice fly from Connor Capece. Two innings later, North hit his first home run of the season to extend Creighton’s lead to 2-0. Pitcher Jack Pineau secured the win with six shutout innings, improving his record to 2-0. Jimmy Burke pitched three innings in relief and gave up one run, earning his first save of the year. Zach Bowman pitched all eight innings for Gonzaga but took the loss after allowing two runs on four hits.
During the second game, North homered again in the second inning to give Creighton an early lead. In the third inning, Capece drove in two more runs with a single that scored Nate McHugh and Rocco Gump. Both McHugh and Gump had reached base earlier in the inning and executed a double steal before Capece’s hit.
Gonzaga responded by scoring three runs on four hits in the fourth inning to tie it up. In the seventh inning, an error during a potential double play allowed Gonzaga to take a 5-3 lead.
Creighton attempted a comeback in their final at-bat by loading the bases with no outs. They managed one run after a strikeout and walk but ended up hitting into an infield double play that finished the game.
Jakob Ruhl was charged with two unearned runs in relief for Creighton and took his first loss of the season (0-1). Landon Hood earned his second win of this campaign for Gonzaga by pitching five scoreless innings out of relief, while Joe Thornton picked up his first save after allowing one run over just over an inning.
The teams are scheduled to complete their three-game series at Charles Schwab Field Omaha on Sunday afternoon.
