Creighton Bluejays
Overall Rank: #31
Conference Rank: #1 Missouri Valley Conference
Creighton Team Page
The Creighton Bluejays were Missouri Valley Conference regular season and post season tournament champions for the first time in program history in 2011. Head Coach Ed Servais enters into his ninth season at the helm at Creighton after leading his squad to its ninth NCAA Tournament appearance, the first one since 2007. Defense was the hallmark of Servais’ team last season. The Bluejays posted a .980 fielding percentage, fourth in the nation. Servais returns at least 18 lettermen for 2012, including seven starters and one pitcher.
2011: 45-16, 15-6
2011 Postseason: NCAA Eliminated in NCAA Regional (two losses to Oregon St. and Georgia)
Coach: Ed Servais, 9th Season
Field Players:
Junior infielder Alex Staehely played every game for the Bluejays in 2011, hitting .285 while driving in 36 runs. Mike Gerber (OF), a Freshman All-American, had an outstanding rookie campaign on defense, fielding 1.000, perfect in 112 chances. The sophomore hit .280, mashed seven homers and drove in 23 runs. Senior Nick Judkins was a model of consistency on defense, fielding .997, making just two errors in an incredible 596 opportunities. Seniors Anthony Bemboom and Chance Ross provide veteran leadership. Bemboom, a catcher, posted a .989 fielding percentage, hit four home runs and knocked in 23. Ross, an infielder, played every game in 2011 and stole 14 bases.
Pitchers:
Junior Ty Blach will anchor the Creighton staff in 2012. Blach was 10-3 last season, the second most wins in Bluejay history. The left handed All-Conference selection finished with a 2.65 ERA, striking out 100 in 102 innings. Senior Kurt Spomer will have another opportunity to be the mainstay out of the bullpen. The righty led Creighton in saves with 13. Senior right hander Reese McGraw was 6-1 in relief with a 3.0 ERA. Newcomer Mark Lukowski will add a local arm to a staff that lost its best starter to graduation. The All-State selectee led Papillion South High to the 2011 Nebraska State Championship and was named tournament MVP.
Who to Watch:
Coach Servais brings in 15 new faces for 2012. Eight freshmen and two red-shirt freshmen will take the field for Creighton for the first time in February and five of those are pitchers. Freshman infielder Jake Peter holds a myriad of single season and career records at Mason City High School, where he was the Iowa Player of the Year. Peter earned letters in four sports in high school. Five transfers will work to bolster the Bluejay lineup. The newcomers include three pitchers, senior Shane Liska, junior Ryan Knot & junior Andrew Urban, all right handers and infielder junior Petra Zyma, a Czech National team member and junior outfielder Murphy Brennan.
Final Projection:
Replacing Creighton’s best offensive player, Trevor Adams, and their best pitcher, Jones Dufek, who were both drafted, will be key to another successful season for the Bluejays. Creighton returns a stellar defense and solid pitching, giving them a sturdy foundation to build on. With the number of returning players and the host of newcomers, the Bluejays should be poised to repeat as Missouri Valley Conference Champions and a repeat appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Alex Staehely, INF, 228
Hits: Alex Staehely, INF, 65
Home Runs: Mike Gerber, OF, 7
RBIs: Alex Staehely, INF, 36
Runs: Nick Judkins, INF, 42
Stolen Bases: Chance Ross, INF, 14
Wins: Ty Blach, P, 10
Innings Pitched: Ty Blach, 102
Strikeouts: Ty Blach, 100
Saves: Kurt Spomer, P, 13
