The Creighton baseball team faces off against both of its in-state rivals today in a doubleheader. Creighton takes on Nebraska-Omaha at 12:30 this afternoon before facing the Huskers at 6:30 this evening. This is the first time these three teams have played on the same day in the same ballpark.
Coming fresh off of its first conference weekend series loss of the season, Creighton will try to get back on track with a pair of wins. The last time Creighton faced the Mavericks, the Bluejays came out on top 8-2. Creighton’s season series with Nebraska is tied after the Bluejays hit a walkoff to down the Huskers in their last meeting. This was the first time Creighton had beaten Nebraska since 2013.
Nebraska-Omaha (26-24, 16-11 Summit League) enters the game against Creighton winning eight of its last 12 games after winning a three-game series against Western Illinois this weekend. The Mavericks are posting a team batting average of .289. While the Mavericks have not named a starting pitcher for Tuesday’s contest, they have a team ERA of 5.00.
The Huskers come into the game against Creighton needing a win to improve their resume in hopes to make the NCAA Tournament. Following back-to-back series wins against No. 24 Michigan State and Penn State, Nebraska earned a spot in the Big Ten Tournament and found itself back in the talks for an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. The Bluejays’ game against Nebraska is a make up for a rain-out back on April 26th.
The Huskers plan to start Max Knutson on the mound against Creighton, who owns a 2-1 record and a 4.60 ERA in 16 appearances. Creighton has not yet named a starting pitcher for either game.
Today’s 12:30 game is “Cox Kids Day”. Forty schools from the Omaha metro area are expected to bring close to 8,000 elementary and middle school kids to TD Ameritrade Park to watch Creighton take on Nebraska-Omaha. Three fifth grade classrooms from Hickory Hill Elementary drew headshots of the Bluejays which will be displayed on the video board.
