As they did in the first three games, the Creighton baseball team used late offense to claim a 5-1 win over BYU in the second game of a doubleheader on Friday, March 1.
The Bluejay victory salvaged a split for Creighton in the doubleheader after dropping the first game of the day, 9-0. With the win, Creighton moved to 4-1 on the season, while BYU fell to 6-6 overall.
Both teams scratched across a run in the opening frame as the Jays’ leadoff man, junior Brad McKewon drew a walk and came around to score on an RBI double from sophomore Jake Peter. BYU answered with a single, sacrifice and an RBI single by Jaycob Brugman to tie the game at 1-1.
It remained tied into the seventh inning, when the Jays delivered three two-out runs. After the first two Bluejays were retired, junior Jerry Mitchell and McKewon drew back-to-back walks. JuniorFederico Castagnini made the free passes hurt as he beat out an infield single to the left side, pinch-runner Jordan Makovicka never hesitated rounding third as he slid into home ahead of the relay throw to give Creighton a 2-1 lead.
After BYU went to the bullpen, junior Jake Peter worked Creighton’s third walk of the inning to load the bases for junior Mike Gerber. The Naperville, Ill., native delivered a two-run RBI single to make it 4-1.
Creighton tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on an RBI single from sophomore Kevin Lamb to claim the 5-1 victory.
On the mound, freshman Tommy Strunc was dominant in his second start. He limited the Cougars to just one run on four hits and two walks in seven innings, including just three base runners over his final six frames to earn the win (1-0).
BYU’s Adam Miller took the loss (0-3), allowing three runs on five hits and six walks in 6.2 innings.
Gerber paced the Jays’ offense with a 3-for-4, two RBI performance. Creighton’s table setter, McKewon, drew two walks and scored both times he reached base.
The Jays and Cougars will play the rubber game of the three-game series on Saturday, March 2 at 11:30 a.m. (CT).