Creighton starter Tom Oldham (3-2) threw seven strong innings allowing no earned runs, no walks and striking out nine Illinois State batters as the Redbirds had their home and Valley opener spoiled by the Bluejays, 11-1, in eight innings Friday at Redbird Field.
The game was called after the eighth inning per the 10-run conference rule after seven innings. The Birds allowed Creighton at least one run in seven of the eight played innings.
Illinois State (5-7 overall, 0-1 MVC) managed only seven hits in the game with Jay Molina the only Redbird to record more than a hit with a 2-for-4 performance. The Birds committed three errors in the game and left seven runners on base. The Bluejays used 10 hits to score their 11 runs, while committing only two errors.
It was not our day today, said Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee. We didnt play to win and in this league (The Valley), you have to show up to play everyday. We need to play more aggressive and our older guys need to step up, take charge and show some confidence out on the field.
Creighton (4-13 overall, 1-0 MVC) jumped out 1-0 in the top of the first inning when Matt Daeges scored from third on a wild pitch by Redbird starter Josh Kauten (1-1). The Bluejays added another in the second with a solo home run to right-center by Dave Schultz. Gabe Lapito gave Creighton another run in the third on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Sirianni to extend the Bluejay lead to 3-0.
The Jays continued to score a run an inning through four frames when Dan Norquist reached on a fielding error by Redbird shortstop Jeremy Accardo and later crossed the plate on a single by Matt Hammer. Illinois State answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth when Molina scored from third on a base hit to left field by Scott Bialobreski to narrow the Creighton lead to three, 4-1.
Creighton scored another run in the fifth and got two more in the sixth to jump up to 7-1 lead after six innings. A four-run inning by the Jays off of four hits in the eighth sealed the Redbirds fate with Pete Wiedewitschs two-RBI double to left-center and Norquists two-out, two-RBI single also to left-center providing more damage to a Creighton lead that was never threatened by Illinois State.
Illinois State continues the series against the Bluejays Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Redbird Field. The first game will be seven innings followed by a nine-inning contest.
