MAKING A PILGRIMAGE: For every fan of college baseball, Rosenblatt Stadium is the ultimate playground. The College World Series has been held there for 60 years, and it is the goal of every Division I baseball program at the beginning of every season to reach that destination. Thanks to a deal with Creighton University, the Seattle University baseball team will not have to wait until 2013 to think about reaching that ultimate destination. Seattle U will face Creighton at Rosenblatt Stadium this Friday, May 14. However, the Redhawks have business at home to take care of, as Utah Valley comes to town for a two-game midweek series. Seattle U looks to snap a five-game losing streak against the leaders of the Great West Conference before starting a tough five-game road swing against the Bluejays and the Oregon State Beavers. Tuesday's game will begin the final stretch in which the Redhawks are scheduled to play 11 games in 12 days.
THE LEWIS-CLARK STATE SERIES: Against the number one team in NAIA, Seattle University had its chances to win both games, but the Warriors were able to pull out 8-7 and 5-3 victories last Friday and Saturday at Bannerwood Park. In Friday's game, a two-run home run by Brian Burke in the first inning put Lewis-Clark State on top and forced Seattle U to come from behind the rest of the night. Every time the Redhawks cut the lead to one, the Warriors would score to reestablish their two-run advantage. Seattle U finally tied the game at 5-5 in the sixth inning on a two-run single by Nick Latta. After Lewis-Clark State retook the lead, the Redhawks forced another tie when Doug Buser singled, advanced to second on an error, reached third on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch. The Warriors finally took the lead for good with two runs in the top of the ninth, but Josh Kalalau drove in Buser to bring Seattle U within one run again. A strikeout finally ended the game in the Warriors' favor. Saturday, Arlo Evasick was cruising into the eighth inning, but a three-run home run by Pat Murray gave Lewis-Clark State the lead for good. Seattle U had taken the lead when Bryndon Ecklund and Steve Kirbach singled and scored on a throwing error off Latta's bunt attempt. The Redhawks had their chances to extend the lead, but Cullen Hendrickson was thrown out at the plate trying to score in the third and Eric Yardley hit into a double play in the sixth inning.
THIS WEEK'S MATCHUPS:
Tuesday, May 11 - 12 p.m. PDT start:
Utah Valley: TBA
Seattle U: #23 RHP Brandon Kizer - 1-4, 4.31 ERA - 64.2 IP, 66 H, 31 ER, 29 BB, 33 SO
Wednesday, May 12 - 12 p.m. PDT start:
Utah Valley: TBA
Seattle U: #55 RHP Max Whieldon - 2-7, 3.96 ERA - 63.2 IP, 62 H, 28 ER, 15 BB, 32 SO
Friday, May 14 - 7 p.m. CDT start:
Seattle U: #21 RHP Arlo Evasick - 1-9, 5.52 ERA - 75.0 IP, 85 H, 46 ER, 21 BB, 42 SO
Creighton: #41 RHP Jonas Dufek - 7-2, 4.11 ERA - 72.1 IP, 74 H, 33 ER, 15 BB, 58 SO
Saturday, May 15 - 2 p.m. CDT start:
Seattle U: #23 RHP Brandon Kizer - 1-4, 4.31 ERA - 64.2 IP, 66 H, 31 ER, 29 BB, 33 SO
Creighton: #31 LHP Ty Blach - 2-3, 3.12 ERA - 60.2 IP, 53 H, 21 ER, 15 BB, 47 SO
Sunday, May 16 - 12 p.m. CDT start:
Seattle U: #55 RHP Max Whieldon - 2-7, 3.96 ERA - 63.2 IP, 62 H, 28 ER, 15 BB, 32 SO
Creighton: #34 RHP Brandon Koenigstein - 4-2, 4.40 ERA - 73.2 IP, 82 H, 36 ER, 16 BB, 34 SO
SCOUTING UTAH VALLEY: The Wolverines enter this week's action with a 28-16 overall record, including a 16-5 record in road games. Utah Valley leads the Great West Conference with an 18-2 league mark after taking three of four at NYIT over the weekend. As a team, the Wolverines have put together a .363 batting average, a 6.76 earned run average, and a .963 fielding percentage with 61 errors in 44 games played. Jace Brinkerhoff leads the team with a .432 batting average, 83 hits, and a .493 on-base percentage. Chris Benson is batting .407 with 20 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 63 runs batted in, and 10 stolen bases. Jake Rickenbach has contributed a .386 batting average and has drawn a team-high 32 walks so far this season. Among the pitchers, Blake Krahenbuhl leads the way with six victories and 50 strikeouts. Brian Whatcott has been the closer, earning a team-high seven saves to go along with a 1-0 record and a 5.09 earned run average, plus he has struck out 22 batters in 23 innings of work.
SCOUTING CREIGHTON: The Bluejays enter the week with a 22-20 overall record, including a 6-11 record at home (3-5 at Rosenblatt, 3-6 at CU) after losing three straight to Wichita State over the weekend. Creighton will face North Dakota State in a doubleheader Wednesday before welcoming the Redhawks to Omaha. As a team, the Bluejays have compiled a .281 batting average, a 4,94 earned run average, and a .981 fielding percentage with just 32 errors in 42 games. The Bluejays are the best fielding team in the country. Trever Adams leads the team offensively, batting .345 with 58 hits, including 12 doubles, two triples, and six home runs, 43 runs batted in, and 23 walks. Carson Vitale and T.J. Roemmich also have hit six home runs this season. On the pitching mound, Jonas Dufek leads the team with seven victories and 58 strikeouts, while Ty Blach has posted a 3.12 earned run average. Jack VanLeur has made 25 appearances out of the bullpen for the Bluejays, posting a 2-4 record with a 4.37 earned run average and a team-high four saves.
WEATHER FORECAST: According to The Weather Channel, it will be mostly sunny in Bellevue on Tuesday with temperatures in the low 60s, with mostly cloudy skies and teamperatures again in the low 60s on Wednesday. Over the weekend in Omaha, Friday night will bring partly cloudy skies with temperatures falling into the 50s. Saturday will be cloudy with temperatures in the 60s, while Sunday will have partly cloudy skies and temperatures reaching the low 70s.
THE ROAD TO OMAHA: For Division I baseball teams, the ultimate goal is to reach the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., held at Rosenblatt Stadium every year since 1950. Seattle University has never reached the College World Series, appearing in one NCAA Tournament back in 1954 when it lost to Oregon and USC at the district tournament held in Eugene, Ore. Because the athletic department is currently in the reclassification process towards Division I status, Seattle University is not eligible for NCAA postseason play until the 2013 season. However, head coach Donny Harrel was able to schedule a three-game series against Creighton University, including one game at Rosenblatt Stadium. The Creighton Bluejays have played at least one home game at Rosenblatt Stadium every year since at least 1985. According to the Bluejay media guide, "Creighton baseball players are able to experience on a yearly basis the aura and thrill of playing in a facility that houses so much history and has been the site of many moments of glory." The Seattle University players, coaches, and staff will have the opportunity to gain the same experience Friday, May 14, when the Redhawks face the Bluejays. This is the final year that Rosenblatt Stadium will be used by both Creighton and the College World Series, as TD Ameritrade Park is scheduled to open next season.
BROADCASTING LIVE: Dan Giuliani will broadcast all home games and selected road contests on GoSeattleU.com, with a pregame show commencing about 30 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Seattle U director of baseball operations Drew Samuelson will join Giuliani on most broadcasts. Giuliani will be broadcasting live from Bannerwood Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, from historic Rosenblatt Stadium on Friday, and from the CU Sports Complex Saturday and Sunday.