Box Score OMAHA, Neb. ? Creighton rightfielder T.J. Roemmich drove home two runs with a first-inning double and the Bluejays (22-18, 10-3 MVC) never looked back en route to a 7-2 victory against visiting Bradley (14-22, 1-10 MVC) in the first game of their Missouri Valley Conference baseball series on a windy Friday night at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Both teams legged out nine hits Friday night, but the Bluejays pushed across two runs in the first and fifth innings, then broke things open with a three-run sixth. Bradley managed only single runs in the fourth and seventh innings.
Senior designated hitter Adam Kimble was the offensive star for the Braves, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI. Senior centerfielder Nick Mitidiero added a 2-for-4 performance and drove home the other run for the Braves.
Greg Hellhake improved to 5-1 on the season by limiting the Braves to one run on six hits in his 6.0 innings of work. After the Braves started to rally by scoring one run off reliever Kirk Clark in the seventh, closer Jack VanLeur worked the 2.1 innings.
Bradley starter Rob Scahill (2-2) took the loss by giving up all seven runs, five earned, in 5.1 innings. Scahill surrendered only five hits, but could not overcome his five walks.
Creighton leadoff hitter Robbie Knight reached base in four of his five plate appearances, going 2-for-3 with two walks. Knight drove in two runs and scored twice to pace the Bluejay attack. With Bradley still within 2-1, Knight drove in what proved to be the deciding run with an RBI single to right with one out in the bottom of the fifth.
The teams will resume their 3-game series with a 2 p.m. contest Saturday, then will wrap up the set with a 1 p.m. game Sunday, both at the Creighton Sports Complex.