BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Three Creighton pitchers combined on a four-hitter as the Bluejays defeated CSU Bakersfield 5-0 in the 2015 season opener for both clubs.

“You don't win if you don't score,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen. “I was little surprised since we had been swinging the bats so well in practice. Give their pitchers credit.”

RBI's in the top of the first from Preseason Big East Player of the Year Reagan Fowler and Ryan Fitzgerald gave the Bluejays an early lead.  Creighton starter Jack Rogalla gave up one hit through the first four, but faced the minimum thanks to two double plays. CSUB threatened Rogalla in the fifth. With one out, Ross Hough (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Central Arizona College) doubled down the left field line for the first 'Runner extra base hit.  

Logan Trowbridge (Sr., Santa Cruz, Calif., College of San Mateo) grounded out to first to move Hough to third. Nick Vehelwald (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Garces HS) walked to bring up Garrett Pierce (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS). Pierce flew out to left to end the inning.

Taylor Elman relieved Rogalla to start the sixth and gave up a walk to pinch-hitter Ryan Grotjohn (So., Cave Creek, Ariz., Brophy College Prep). Grotjohn advanced to second on a Jordie Hein (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) sacrifice bunt. Creighton third baseman Harrison Crawford's fine backhanded stop of a David Metzgar (So., Lancaster, Calif., Paraclete HS) grounder gave the Bluejays the second out. Mylz Jones (Jr., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) hit a dribble to Crawford, who threw the ball off-balance to Fowler at first. Fowler's stretch was enough to get the final out.

CSUB stranded Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) at second in the bottom of the seventh after Roadrunner right fielder doubled to left. Creighton scored three times in the final two innings. Brett Murray smacked a two-run home run in the eighth with Daniel Woodrow adding an RBI infield single in the ninth.

“We didn't get rewarded for a few of the things we did,” Kernen said. “If Pierce's ball gets in, it's tied. They matched us defensively and played well.”

Nick Highberger relieved Elman in the eighth and gave up one hit over the final two innings. Nicky Lopez went 3-for-4 with a run scored to pace the BlueJays. Fowler and Woodrow each went 2-for-4.

CSUB starter Hayden Carter (Sr., San Diego, Calif., Vista HS) took the loss. He scattered six hits in seven innings of work. Carter struck out six and walked one. The teams combined 27 ground ball outs (14 for Creighton, 13 for CSUB).

“Hayden pitched well,” Kernen said. “We played well defensively, usually if you play in two of the three parts of the game, you have a chance, but not if you don't score.”

The series continues Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com

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