Creighton scored eight runs in the game’s first three innings Wednesday night and held on for an 8-3 win over K-State at TD Ameritrade Park. That’s according to a release from K-State Athletics.
Creighton (17-6, 0-0 Big East) used a three-run first and a five-run third inning to open an 8-0 lead over the Wildcats (15-14- 2-4 Big 12). K-State’s bullpen held the Bluejays scoreless over the final six innings while scoring three runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
The Bluejays took both games in the season series with K-State, after a 13-3 win in Manhattan on March 13. The victory earned 15th-year head coach Ed Servais his 500th win in his Creighton career.
Creighton brought eight hitters to the plate in the first inning, as the Bluejays plated three runs on four hits off starter Jared Marolf. Will Robertson roped a two-run triple down the right field line that scored Clark Brinkman and Michael Emodi. Five consecutive hitters reached base in the inning, including a walk and a hit batter.
Marolf retired CU in order in the second, ending his night with two innings of work and allowing three earned runs on four hits. The sophomore right-hander took the loss, his fourth of the season.
After taking over for Marolf to start the third, freshman Andrew Stratman recorded two quick outs before allowing a double to Thomas Luevano. Luevano’s double sparked a string of six straight Bluejay batters to reach base, as they put up five in the inning, which was extended by a K-State error. Brinkman capped the two-out rally with a three-run double that pushed Creighton’s lead to 8-0.
Stratman, who was lifted by Quinton Potter, went 2/3 of an inning and gave up five unearned runs along with three walks issued.
The Wildcats scored their first run in the seventh inning on Trent McMaster’s RBI groundout that brought home Drew Mount, who led off the frame with a single up the middle and was on third base after advancing on a wild pitch and passed ball.
McMaster recorded an RBI for the third straight game, with seven runs batted in over K-State’s last three games.
Freshman John Sorensen ripped a pinch-hit, two-run double down the right field line in the eighth inning to make it an 8-3 game. K-State’s only extra-base hit came after Jake Biller and Cameron Thompson each walked with Will Brennan being hit by a pitch in between to load the bases.
K-State loaded the bases again in the top of the ninth inning, via a leadoff single by McMaster followed by walks by Biller and Brennan. Creighton reliever Jonah Smith struck out the side, including Thompson to end the ballgame.
Creighton starter Preston Church was credited with the win after going 5 1/3 inning and giving up two hits and a walk with three strikeouts.
Five Wildcat relievers tossed the final seven innings without allowing an earned run on three hits. Potter, Alex Belch, Hudson Treu and Brogan Heinen held the Bluejays scoreless over the final 5 1/3 innings.
K-State will welcome its second straight Big 12 opponent to Tointon Family Stadium, as the Oklahoma State Cowboys (15-10-1, 4-2 Big 12) come to Manhattan for a three-game set beginning Friday.