Table of Contents Creighton Quick Facts Introduction Roster...... 2 Roster Breakdown ...... 3 General Information 2008 Season Outlook ...... 4-6 Location ...... Omaha, Neb. (pop. 427,872) Creighton Sports Complex...... 7 Founded ...... 1878 Creighton and Rosenblatt Stadium ...... 8 Enrollment ...... 6,992 President...... Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. Headead Coach Ed Servais ...... 10 10-11 1 Director of Athletics ...... Bruce Rasmussen Assistantssistant CoCoachesaches ...... 1 12-132-1 School Colors ...... Blue (PMS 280) and White Coaches Playerlayer Bios ...... 1 5-345-3 Nickname ...... Bluejays Affiliation ...... NCAA Division I 2007007 SeasoSeasonn RReview.eview...... 36 36-37-3 Conference...... Missouri Valley 2007007 Game-bGame-by-Gamey-Game RReResultssullts ...... 38 2007007 OOverallverall StatStatisticsistics ...... 3 399 Bluejay Baseball 2007007 GamGamesess SSummary.uummamaryy...... 4 400 Head Coach ...... Ed Servais Alma Mater...... Wisconsin-La Crosse, 1981

2007007 MisMissourissoourri VaValleylleye CConferenceonferencn e ReReviewviview ...... 41 2008 Bluejays Record at CU (Years) ...... 159-78 (5th) 2007007 PPostseasonosstsseaason ReRecap.caap...... 42 Career Record (Years) ...... 341-160-1 (14th) Phone ...... (402) 280-2483 Single-Gameingle-Gaamme ReRecords.cordds...... 4 444 Assistant Coach ...... Rob Smith Seasoneason aandnd CCareerara eee r ReRecordseccordds ...... 4 45-475-4 Alma Mater...... Indiana, 1998 Creightonreighton BaBaseballseballll AAll-Americanslll-AAmericcansn ...... 4 48-498-4 Phone ...... (402) 280-5545 Creightonreightoon NCNCAAAA TTournamentouourrnamment TeTeams.ams...... 5 50-540-5 Assistant Coach ...... Jason Shockey Alma Mater...... Nebraska-Omaha, 2004 Year-By-Yearear-By-YYear RResults.esulults...... 55- 55-595 Phone ...... (402) 280-2628

All-Timell-Time SSerieseries ReRecordscordds ...... 6 600 Volunteer Assistant Coach ...... Joe Cicora 2007 Review Thehe LaLastst TTimeime ItI HHappenedappep ned ...... 61 Alma Mater...... Wisconsin-Stout, 2006 Phone ...... (402) 280-3877 Creightonreigghtoon UnUniversity.iverrsity...... 6 62-632-6 2007 Overall Record ...... 45-16 Rev.evv. JJohnohhn P.P SSchlegel,chlegell, SS.J.,.JJ., PPresident.resident...... 6 644 2007 MVC Record (Finish)...... 19-5 (2nd) Lettermen Returning / Lost ...... 14 / 12 DirectorDireectoro ooff AtAthleticshlh etics BrBruceucce RaRasmussensmussen ...... 6 655 Starters Returning / Lost ...... 4 / 5 Omaha,Ommahha NNebraskaebbraska ...... 6 666 Pitchers Returning / Lost...... 4 / 3 Creighton Athletics Staff Directory ...... 67 NCAA Regionals ...... Eight Records/History Creighton Academics...... 68 ...... (1973, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2007) Athletic Training/Strength and Conditioning ...... 69 CWS Appearances ...... One (1991) Traditions ...... 70-71 Sports Information Missouri Valley Conference ...... 72 Sports Info. Intern / Baseball Contact. . . . Brent Elsasser Media Information ...... 74-75 Office Phone ...... (402) 280-5801 Cell Phone ...... (402) 380-1676 2008 Non-Conference Opponents ...... 76-78 E-mail ...... [email protected] 2008 Conference Opponents ...... 78-80 Sports Information Director...... Rob Anderson About Creighton Office Phone...... (402) 280-5544 E-mail ...... [email protected] Media Guide Credits Associate SID ...... Rob Simms Office Phone...... (402) 280-2433 The 2008 Creighton Bluejays Baseball Media Guide is a production of the E-mail ...... [email protected] Creighton University Sports Information Office. Interior design, writing and edit- SID Fax...... (402) 280-2495 ing done by Sports Information Intern Brent Elsasser, using an iMac with Adobe Press Box (CU Sports Complex) ...... (402) 280-2787 InDesign and Photoshop software. Editorial assistance provided by Sports Press Box (Rosenblatt Stadium) ...... (402) 380-1676 Information Director Rob Anderson, Associate Sports Information Director Rob CU Sports Hotline ...... (402) 280-5555 Simms, Assistant Athletics Director Kevin Sarver, the Public Relations staff and MVC Sports Hotline...... (314) 699-6821 Media Info the Creighton baseball staff. Printed by MultiAd Sports of Peoria, Ill. Outside Web Site ...... www.gocreighton.com cover design by Creative Reservoir, Ralston, Neb. (402) 492-8631, Photos by Creighton Media Services, Rob Anderson, Scott Bruhn, Eric Francis, John Wall SID Mailing Address: of Missouri State Photo Services, the Omaha World-Herald, Chicago Cubs, St. Creighton Sports Information Louis Cardinals, Northwoods League, USA Baseball, the Wisconsin Woodchucks 2500 California Plaza and the National Baseball Hall of Fame Library, Cooperstown, N.Y. Omaha, NE 68178

2008 Creighton Baseball 1 2008 Creighton Roster Information Numerical Roster

No. Name Pos. B/T Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (Previous School) 1 Michael Lam INF R/R 5-9 170 Sr. Honolulu, Hawaii (Punahou HS) Introduction 2 Robbie Knight OF R/L 5-11 180 So. Omaha, Neb. (Kansas State Univ.) (Millard North HS) 3 Jimmy Swift INF R/R 6-2 190 RFr. West Des Moines, Iowa (Dowling Catholic HS) 5 Joe Servais C/OF R/R 5-11 180 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Univ. of Kansas) (Garden City CC) (Skutt Catholic HS) 6 Brandon Knox OF R/R 5-11 185 Jr. Omaha, Neb. (Millard West HS) 7 Elliot Soto INF R/R 5-9 155 Fr. Algonquin, Ill. (Dundee Crown HS) 8 Steve Winkelmann INF R/R 6-1 205 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Neosho County CC) (Gross Catholic HS) 10 Zak Moore RHP R/R 6-2 190 Jr. Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn HS)

Coaches 11 Jeremy Hauer LHP L/L 5-10 190 Jr. Sherrard, Ill. (Indian Hills CC) (Alleman Catholic HS) 12 Ty Johnston RHP R/R 6-2 185 Jr. St. Paul, Minn. (Blair Academy) 13 Greg Hellhake LHP L/L 6-1 180 RFr. Quincy, Ill. (Quincy Notre Dame HS) 14 Ben Mancuso LHP L/L 6-0 190 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep HS) 15 Darin Ruf INF R/R 6-3 215 Jr. Omaha, Neb. (Westside HS) 16 Brett Mieras C/INF/OF R/R 6-0 190 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Iowa Western CC) (Millard West HS) 17 Josh Gow RHP R/R 6-2 200 Jr. Duluth, Minn. (Virginia Commonwealth) (Iowa Western CC) (Duluth East HS) 18 T.J. Roemmich OF/LHP L/L 6-2 185 So. West Des Moines, Iowa (Dowling Catholic HS) 19 Vicente Cafaro INF R/R 5-9 170 Jr. Maracay, Venezuela (Iowa Western CC) (Wayne State College) 20 Tony Pechek C B/R 6-2 200 Jr. Pueblo, Colo. (Central Arizona) (Wichita State) (Pueblo South HS) 2008 Bluejays 22 Nick Nordgren OF R/L 6-3 185 Jr. Norway, Iowa (Indian Hills CC) (Cedar Rapids Jeff erson HS) 23 Ian Dike 1B L/L 6-3 230 So. Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southwest HS) 24 Mike Nihsen RHP R/R 6-3 200 RSo. Ralston, Neb. (Univ. of Nebraska) (Ralston HS) 26 Joe Bonfe RHP/INF R/R 6-4 220 RFr. Woodbury, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS) 27 Pat Venditte LHP/RHP B/B 6-1 190 Sr. Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Central HS) 28 David Merchant RHP R/R 6-5 210 Sr. Seward, Ill. (Winnebago HS) 30 Josh Perreault OF R/R 5-9 160 RFr. Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep HS) 31 Zach Willand RHP/C L/R 6-2 195 Fr. Papillion, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista South HS) 2007 Review 32 Bob Lackovic RHP R/R 6-0 190 So. Omaha, Neb. (Skutt Catholic HS) 33 Dan Blair C R/R 6-1 180 Jr. Boulder, Colo. (Boulder HS) 34 Kevin Dooley RHP R/R 6-1 220 Sr. Papillion, Neb. (Georgia State) (Iowa Western CC) (Papillion-LaVista HS) 35 Matt Patterson RHP R/R 6-1 190 So. St. Louis, Mo. (Jeff erson College) (Parkway South HS) 36 Jack VanLeur LHP L/L 6-4 200 RFr. Brandon, S.D. (Brandon Valley HS) 37 Joey Bowens C/OF R/R 5-11 175 Fr. Libertyville, Ill. (Libertyville HS) 38 Casey Schmidt RHP R/R 6-3 195 So. Arvada, Colo. (Ralston Valley HS) 39 Ryan Westover RHP R/R 6-4 160 Fr. Littleton, Colo. (Dakota Ridge HS) 40 Micah Metzger RHP R/R 6-3 210 RFr. Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep HS)

Records/History 41 Jonas Dufek RHP R/R 6-5 210 Fr. Omaha, Neb. (Millard West HS)

9 Head Coach: Ed Servais (Wisconsin-La Crosse, 1981) -- Fifth season 29 Assistant Coach/Pitching: Rob Smith (Indiana, 1998) -- Second season 21 Assistant Coach/Hitting: Jason Shockey (Nebraska-Omaha, 2004) -- Second season 4 Volunteer Assistant Coach/Catching: Joe Cicora (Wisconsin-Stout, 2006) -- First season

Pronunciation Guide About Creighton Bonfe ...... BON • fee Mieras ...... MEER • us Cicora ...... CHIC • ora Nihsen...... Niss • en Dufek ...... DEW • feck Pechek ...... Pay • check Gow ...... rhymes with wow Perreault ...... Per • row Hauer ...... HOW • er Roemmich ...... REM • ick Hellhake ...... Hell • ick Ruf ...... Rough Lackovic ...... Lack • AH • vick Servais ...... Service Lam ...... Lamb Venditte ...... VEN • det • ee Media Info Mancuso ...... Man • CUE • so Willand ...... WILL • ind

2 2008 Creighton Baseball 2008 Creighton Roster Breakdown Introduction

Alphabetical By Class By Position By State/Country

No. Name Pos. Yr. Seniors (8) Infielders (8) Colorado (4) 33 Dan Blair C Jr. Kevin Dooley Joe Bonfe* Arvada ...... Casey Schmidt 26 Joe Bonfe RHP/INF RFr. Michael Lam Vicente Cafaro Boulder ...... Dan Blair 37 Joey Bowens C/OF Fr. Ben Mancuso Ian Dike Littleton ...... Ryan Westover David Merchant Michael Lam Pueblo ...... Tony Pechek 19 Vicente Cafaro INF Jr. Brett Mieras Darin Ruf

23 Ian Dike 1B So. Coaches Joe Servais Elliot Soto Hawaii (1) 34 Kevin Dooley RHP Sr. Pat Venditte Jimmy Swift Honolulu ...... Michael Lam 41 Jonas Dufek RHP Fr. Steve Winkelmann Steve Winkelmann 17 Josh Gow RHP Jr. Illinois (5) 11 Jeremy Hauer LHP Jr. Juniors (10) Outfielders (8) Algonquin ...... Elliot Soto Dan Blair Joey Bowens* 13 Greg Hellhake LHP RFr. Libertyville ...... Joey Bowens Vicente Cafaro Robbie Knight Quincy ...... Greg Hellhake 12 Ty Johnston RHP Jr. Josh Gow Brandon Knox Seward ...... David Merchant

2 Robbie Knight OF So. Jeremy Hauer Brett Mieras* Sherrard ...... Jeremy Hauer 2008 Bluejays 6 Brandon Knox OF Jr. Ty Johnston Nick Nordgren Brandon Knox 32 Bob Lackovic RHP So. Josh Perreault Iowa (3) Zak Moore T.J. Roemmich* Norway ...... Nick Nordgren 1 Michael Lam INF Sr. Nick Nordgren Joe Servais* West Des Moines .....Jimmy Swift 14 Ben Mancuso LHP Sr. Tony Pechek ...... T.J. Roemmich 28 David Merchant RHP Sr. Darin Ruf Pitchers (20) 40 Micah Metzger RHP RFr. Right-Handed Minnesota (3) 16 Brett Mieras C/INF/OF Sr. Sophomores (7) Joe Bonfe* Duluth ...... Josh Gow Ian Dike 10 Zak Moore RHP Jr. Kevin Dooley St. Paul ...... Ty Johnston Robbie Knight 24 Mike Nihsen RHP RSo. Jonas Dufek Woodbury ...... Joe Bonfe 2007 Review Bob Lackovic Josh Gow 22 Nick Nordgren OF Jr. Mike Nihsen Ty Johnston 35 Matt Patterson RHP So. Matt Patterson Missouri (1) Bob Lackovic St. Louis ...... Matt Patterson 20 Tony Pechek C Jr. T.J. Roemmich David Merchant Casey Schmidt Micah Metzger 30 Josh Perreault OF RFr. Nebraska (17) Zak Moore 18 T.J. Roemmich OF/LHP So. Elkhorn ...... Zak Moore Freshmen (11) Mike Nihsen 15 Darin Ruf INF Jr. Lincoln ...... Ian Dike Joe Bonfe (RS) Matt Patterson 38 Casey Schmidt RHP So. Omaha ...... Jonas Dufek Joey Bowens Casey Schmidt Records/History ...... Robbie Knight 5 Joe Servais C/OF Sr. Jonas Dufek Ryan Westover ...... Brandon Knox Greg Hellhake (RS) Zach Willand* 7 Elliot Soto INF Fr...... Bob Lackovic Micah Metzger (RS) 3 Jimmy Swift INF RFr. Left-Handed ...... Ben Mancuso Josh Perreault (RS) 36 Jack VanLeur LHP RFr. Jeremy Hauer ...... Brett Mieras Elliot Soto Greg Hellhake ...... Micah Metzger 27 Pat Venditte LHP/RHP Sr. Jimmy Swift (RS) Ben Mancuso ...... Josh Perreault 39 Ryan Westover RHP Fr. Jack VanLeur (RS) T.J. Roemmich* ...... Darin Ruf Ryan Westover 31 Zach Willand RHP/C Fr. Jack VanLeur ...... Joe Servais Zach Willand 8 Steve Winkelmann INF Sr. Both ...... Pat Venditte Pat Venditte ...Steve Winkelmann About Creighton Papillion ...... Kevin Dooley Catchers (6) ...... Zach Willand In-Season Birthdays Dan Blair Ralston ...... Mike Nihsen Joey Bowens* Brett Mieras ...... March 5 Brett Mieras* South Dakota (1) Brandon Knox ...... March 9 Tony Pechek Brandon ...... Jack VanLeur David Merchant ...... March 10 Joe Servais* Zach Willand* Venezuela (1) Ian Dike ...... March 17 Maracay ...... Vicente Cafaro Ryan Westover...... March 30 * Player listed at multiple positions

Joe Servais ...... May 6 Media Info Josh Perreault ...... May 30 Bob Lackovic ...... June 5 Ben Mancuso ...... June 12 Vicente Cafaro ...... June 15

2008 Creighton Baseball 3 2008 Season Preview In his first four seasons as Creighton’s head coach, Ed Servais has built the Bluejay baseball program into one of the premier programs in the Midwest and an up-and-comer on the national scene. Since Servais took over the reigns as head coach in 2004, Creighton has posted the second-best winning percentage (.671) of any program in the Midwest. Two NCAA Regional appearances, a Missouri Valley

Introduction Conference regular season title in 2005 and the school’s first-ever MVC Tournament championship last season highlight Creighton’s emergence as an elite program in college baseball. Last season’s 45-16 finish marked the second time in three years Creighton reached the 45-win plateau, as the 2007 team achieved the fourth-highest win total in school history. The team’s .792 winning percent- age in MVC play (19-5) was the best in program history. After a second-place regular season finish, the Jays won their first MVC Tournament crown in memorable fashion by defeating 12th-ranked and regular season champ Wichita State in a 12-inning championship game in Springfield, Mo. The 2008 team will be without 12 players from last season’s squad, including a trio of players who have moved on to play professionally. Starting pitcher Marc Lewis was selected in the 20th round of the Coaches MLB draft by the Florida Marlins, catcher Chris Gradoville was chosen in the 24th round by the Texas Rangers and infielder Chad Ogden signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. Also gone from last year’s squad are starting outfielders Ross Sinclair and Andrew Small. On the mound, graduating with Lewis were highly successful relievers Andy Masten and Scott Reese. Filling holes in the outfield and the bullpen will be Creighton’s biggest challenges entering the 2008 campaign. The Jays return two of three weekend starting pitchers, along with arguably the most versatile Junior fi rst baseman Darin Ruf returns after weapon out of the bullpen in college baseball. The corner infield positions will be manned by returning receiving the 2007 Joe Carter MVC Player of starters and an infusion of talent up the middle should again provide the Jays with a solid defensive infield. the Year and Rawlings Gold Glove awards. Three upperclassmen catchers will provide competition and depth behind the plate. The biggest question marks will be the corner outfield spots, which were up for grabs as the team began practice on Feb. 1.

2008 Bluejays CATCHER With the loss of second team all-MVC pick and Johnny Bench Award semifinalist Chris Gradoville to graduation, the void left behind the plate may seem large. Although the catching position enters the season up for grabs, the Bluejays have a trio of upperclassmen who have the potential to make the transition behind the plate very smooth. “I like our situation because we have more depth than in the past,” said head coach Ed Servais. “We will be able to rotate the catchers and keep them fresh. I’m not sure who will take control, but we have some good options behind the plate.” Senior Brett Mieras is the only returning player with experience catching for the Bluejays, as he started eight games behind the plate last season. The most versatile player on the roster, Mieras will also see playing time in left field, as the designated hitter and as a backup third baseman. Mieras finished the 2007 season strong, as he was voted onto the Fayetteville All-Regional team after hitting .400 in Creighton’s three NCAA tourney games. 2007 Review The other two candidates for the starting role are both newcomers to Creighton, but not to Division I baseball. Joe Servais, son of head coach Ed Servais, transferred into the program for his final season of eligibility in 2008. After a successful two-year career at Garden City Community College, Servais played last season at the University of Kansas. He started 26 games and played in 36 contests for the Jayhawks, compiling 21 hits and 11 RBIs. Servais will also see playing time in left field and as the designated hitter. Junior Tony Pechek comes to the program from Central Arizona College, where he hit .328 with 13 doubles, five home runs and 43 RBIs, and was also errorless behind the plate. Pechek is already familiar with the Missouri Valley Conference, as he began his collegiate career at Wichita State in 2006, playing in 20 games as a freshman for the Shockers. Also providing depth for the Bluejays at the catcher position will be junior Dan Blair and freshman Joey Bowens.

INFIELD

Records/History The infield may be the deepest position on the team for the 2008 Bluejays. The squad returns three of four starters from last season’s team, and adds two highly regarded recruits which should make for another fundamental and defensively solid infield. “The infield is a potential strength of the team,” said Servais. “We should be very good defensively. There is more depth this season on the infield than we’ve ever had, which allows us to rotate and keep players fresh. There is nothing like competition to make players better.” Junior Darin Ruf will hold down the job at first base for the third straight season. The 2007 season saw the Omaha native explode onto the scene, as he was named the Joe Carter MVC Player of the Year after hitting .374 with 19 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 57 RBIs. Ruf led the team and ranked in the top-five of the MVC in 10 different offensive categories. Maybe more impressive was his play in the field, as About Creighton he was awarded the Rawlings Gold Glove as the nation’s best fielding first baseman. On his way to setting the CU single-season record with 597 putouts, Ruf committed only two errors, and was the only player on the team to start all 61 games. Backing up Ruf at first base will be sophomore Ian Dike. Dike is one of the strongest athletes at Creighton, and gives the team a left-handed power bat. At second base, senior Michael Lam saw substantial playing time the second half of last season due to an injury, and made the most of it. Lam made 35 starts and played in 45 contests in 2007, finishing third on the team with a .320 batting average and .420 on-base percentage. He was named to the MVC All- Senior Michael Lam hit .320 as the starting Tournament team after recording three multi-hit games and compiling a .526 on-base percentage. Media Info second baseman for much of the 2007 season Also in the mix for starting time at second base is the highly-touted Vicente Cafaro. He comes to and earned MVC All-Tournament honors. Creighton from Iowa Western Community College, where he hit .441 with 20 doubles, three triples and 17

4 2008 Creighton Baseball home runs last spring. Cafaro led his team to the NJCAA World Series, setting a school record by scoring 88 Introduction runs. Also a very good fielder, Cafaro was awarded the Rawlings Gold Glove as the best-fielding second base- man in the junior college ranks. He began his career at Division II Wayne State College, earning all-conference honors as a redshirt freshman. Cafaro will also challenge incoming freshman Elliot Soto for the starting nod at shortstop. A native of Algonquin, Ill., Soto joins the program after turning down professional baseball as the 13th-round selection of the Minnesota Twins in last June’s MLB Draft. Soto also possesses a unique combination of a solid glove defensively and an above-average bat. He hit .455 as a senior and set career records at Dundee Crown High School for hits, triples and on-base percentage. Senior Steve Winkelmann returns at third base after starting 57 of the team’s 61 games at the position last

season. The former Junior College National Player of the Year hit .277 with five home runs and 45 RBIs for Coaches the Bluejays last spring. He also improved his glove defensively as the season progressed, and concluded the season as one of the team’s best players. He was named to the Fayetteville All-Regional team after recording six RBIs in CU’s NCAA Tournament win over Albany. A vastly improved player that will fill the reserve role on the left side of the infield is redshirt freshman Jimmy Swift. The West Des Moines, Iowa, native improved his strength and feel for the college game during his redshirt season and will see most of his time at third base. Senior third baseman Steve Winkel- OUTFIELD mann tied the CU single-season record 2008 Bluejays For the second season in a row, the outfield appears to be the biggest uncertainty as the team enters camp. with eight sacrifi ce fl ies in 2007. Two of the three starters from last year’s squad graduated, leaving openings at both corner outfield spots. “We have a couple question marks going into the season,” said Servais. “There will be opportunities for guys to step up and earn playing time. We have some good options, but will be lacking in experience.” The one returning starter from last season is sophomore center fielder Robbie Knight. The Omaha native and Millard North graduate set a single- season NCAA record in 2007 after being hit by 35 pitches. As the leadoff hitter, he began 11 games with a hit-by-pitch, tallied seven games in which he was plunked more than once and set a school record with four HBP in a game against Oklahoma. In left field, the battle for the starting spot will be between seniors Joe Servais and Brett Mieras and junior Brandon Knox. Servais and Mieras will also compete for playing time at catcher, leaving a situation where there is unlikely to be an everyday starter in left field. Knox started six games in left field last season, while Mieras started five for the Jays in 2007. Servais was used exclusively as a catcher and designated hitter last spring at Kansas. 2007 Review Knox is one of the top athletes on the team and possesses outstanding speed. Junior college transfer Nick Nordgren appears to have the inside track to the starting nod in right field. Drafted in the 49th round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of high school, he played two seasons at Indian Hills Community College where he led the team in 10 offensive categories last season, which included a school-record 34 stolen bases. He will bring above-average speed along with a good arm to the outfield for the Jays in 2008. Sophomore T.J. Roemmich started two games in the outfield last season, but will be used more out of the bullpen in 2008. Redshirt freshman Josh Perreault will also compete for playing time, as he brings speed and a good glove to the outfield.

PITCHING ROTATION

The pitching staff returns two-thirds of its weekend rotation from last season. Gone is Friday starter Marc Lewis, who was drafted in the 20th round Records/History of the MLB Draft last June after posting an 8-3 record with 56 strikeouts in 88.2 innings, covering 17 starts. Although the weekend rotation looks to be shaping up, the midweek starting spots are an unknown entering the season. “We feel very comfortable with our weekend guys, but we need to develop a fourth and fifth starter,” said Servais. Senior Ben Mancuso will move into the Friday spot in the rotation, following a standout junior season that saw the Omaha native capture the MVC Pitcher of the Year award. Mancuso went 10-3 in 2007, posted a 2.34 ERA and recorded seven scoreless outings in his 14 appearances. The left-hander earned third-team All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball last season, is a 2008 NCBWA third-team preseason All-American and is on the Brooks Wallace Watch List, which is awarded to the nation’s best player following the season. Also returning is Saturday starter Zak Moore, a junior from Elkhorn, Neb., who will continue that role in 2008. The right-hander compiled a 5-1 record last season, making 17 starts and logging 86.2 About Creighton innings. He maintained a 3.63 ERA and struck out 65 batters. The likely Sunday starter will be University of Nebraska transfer Mike Nihsen. The redshirt sopho- more right-hander made only four appearances last season for the Huskers as a redshirt freshman, but had a highly successful prep career at nearby Ralston High School and brings a plus fastball in the upper 80s to the staff. Creighton’s outstanding midweek starter last season, Casey Schmidt, is doubtful for the 2008 sea- son with an injury. Schmidt earned Freshman All-America honors last season from Collegiate Baseball after posting a 6-1 record and 3.12 ERA. Among the candidates to fill the void left by Schmidt are juniors Ty Johnston, Josh Gow and Jeremy Hauer, and redshirt freshman Joe Bonfe. Johnston, a right-hander, made three starts and 11 total appearances last season, striking out 15 in 18 innings. Gow did not pitch last season after fighting a shoulder injury. The right-hander was very good in junior college and could be a dark horse Media Info in 2008. Hauer is a left-handed junior college transfer from Indian Hills Community College, and has a good mound presence with three quality pitches, including an excellent change up. Bonfe had a nice fall and will be counted on to pitch in 2008, with a role still to be determined.

BULLPEN Senior Ben Mancuso was the 2007 MVC Pitcher of The 2008 bullpen will be anchored by the country’s most unique player, ambidextrous pitcher Pat the Year after fi nishing 10-3 with a 2.34 ERA and is a third-team preseason All-American in 2008. Venditte. The Omaha native and Central High graduate had a 2007 season not soon to be forgotten,

2008 Creighton Baseball 5 and will look to continue that success into his senior season. Venditte earned All-America recognition from four national publications last season after going 8-2 with a school-record 1.88 ERA in 38 appearances. He was named the MVC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after leading the Jays to their first-ever tourna- ment crown. Venditte turned down an opportunity to play for the New York Yankees after being selected in the 45th round of the 2007 MLB Draft, and enters his senior campaign as a preseason All-American and a member of the Brooks Wallace Watch List. His versatility allows Venditte to be used in many different roles, including as a middle reliever, situational pitcher and an occasional starter when needed. Introduction “Pat’s role is still not determined and it will depend on how others in the bullpen develop,” said Servais. “He is so valuable that we don’t want to limit how we use him.” Beyond Venditte, the bullpen is a relative unknown entering the 2008 season. No returning pitcher threw more than 18 innings, and that was by Ty Johnston, who made three starts and eight relief appearances. A player that made great strides in the second half of the 2007 season and will be counted on heavily this year is sophomore Bob Lackovic. A converted catcher, Lackovic will throw strikes and he brings a competi- tiveness to the mound. The only other returner from last year’s bullpen is senior captain David Merchant. Although used sparingly so far in his career, Merchant is a very hard-working player that brings a different Junior Zak Moore started 17 games last season Coaches look to the mound as a submarine thrower. and will be counted on heavily again in 2008. New to the bullpen this season, but not to the team, is sophomore T.J. Roemmich. Used exclusively as a designated hitter and outfielder last season, Roemmich will assume a significant role as a left-handed relief pitcher in 2008. Roemmich increased his strength considerably in the offseason according to Servais, and has the potential to be very effective on the mound for the Jays. A newcomer who is already battle-tested in Division I baseball is senior Kevin Dooley. The Papillion, Neb., native played last season at Georgia State after a successful junior college career at Iowa Western Community College. At Georgia State, he led the Panthers with 27 appearances and picked up four saves in 50 innings of work, while maintaining a 3.60 ERA. A candidate for the closer’s role, Dooley will be counted on to help fill the void left from an outstanding bullpen in 2007. Another new face to the program that may figure into the mix is sophomore Matt Patterson. A transfer from Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo., Patterson can throw three pitches for strikes. He excelled last summer in the Northwoods League for the Duluth Huskies, where he went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 11 relief appearances. Redshirt freshman Jack VanLeur has gotten much bigger and stronger in the offseason and could see action as a situ- 2008 Bluejays ational left-handed arm. Greg Hellhake and Micah Metzger are both pitchers who redshirted last season and will vie for time on the mound in 2008. A trio of true freshmen enter the season with roles still to be determined. Jonas Dufek (Millard West) and Zach Willand (Papillion-LaVista South) were both highly successful hurlers as high schoolers in the Omaha area. Ryan Westover from Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton, Colo., will likely redshirt while trying to build strength and develop technique.

SCHEDULE A very competitive and challenging schedule awaits the 2008 Bluejays, highlighted by nine games at Rosenblatt Stadium, home of the College World Series. Creighton will also play in 11 contests against teams that qualified for the 2007 NCAA Tournament. “We scheduled aggressively because the program is ready to move in that direction,” said Servais. “It is a good opportunity to showcase our skills

2007 Review against elite programs, as we look to become one ourselves.” The Bluejays will open with their first 11 games on the road, beginning with a three-game series in Pullman, Wash. (Feb. 22-24) against Washington State from the Pac-10 Conference. After a three-game series at Tennessee-Martin (Feb. 29-March 2), the Bluejays will play on consecutive days at 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Memphis (March 4-5). Creighton will then travel to Houston, Texas, to take part in the Rice Classic on March 7-9, in a tournament that will feature 2007 NCAA qualifiers Western Carolina and Rice. The host Owls won two games last summer in Omaha at the College World Series, while the Catamounts fell to national runner-up North Carolina in a regional final. The Jays will play their home opener on March 14 against Chicago State to begin a stretch of six games in six days at the CU Sports Complex. The Missouri Valley Conference portion of the schedule will begin with a three-game series at Missouri State on March 21-23. Midweek games at home against South Dakota State (March 25) and at Kansas State (March 26) precede the MVC home opener against Illinois State March 28-30. On April 1, Creighton will host in-state rival Nebraska in the first of nine dates at Rosenblatt Stadium. The meeting with the Huskers begins a three-game season series between the Records/History state’s two Division I baseball programs. Following a three-game series at Bradley on April 4-6 and two midweek games, CU will play a stretch of five games in six days at Rosenblatt, starting with a three-game series against defending MVC regular-season champ and NCAA Super Regional qualifier Wichita State (April 11-13). The Jays will then host Kansas State (April 15) and Iowa (April 16) on consecutive nights. Former Creighton coach Jack Dahm returns as the head man with the Hawkeyes. A three-game MVC series at Northern Iowa (April 18-20) precedes Creighton’s second meeting of the season with Nebraska, which will take place April 22 in Lincoln. The Jays will return to the CU Sports Complex for a three-game conference series against Evansville on

About Creighton April 25-27. The month of May will open with a three-game MVC series at a veteran Southern Illinois team (May 2-4) and a midweek trip to 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Missouri (May 6), a preseason top-15 squad nationally. Creighton then returns to Omaha for its final seven contests of the regular season, beginning with the final Valley series against Indiana State (May 9-11). Rosenblatt Stadium will play host to the final meeting of the regular season between Creighton and Nebraska on May 13. The Jays will stay at Rosenblatt for games against Louisiana-Monroe on May 15 and 16, before returning to the CU Sports Complex for the regular season finale against the Warhawks on May 17. Senior ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte is a second-team Media Info The 2008 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Championship will be held in Wichita, Kan., May 21-24. This year’s College World Series will take place June 14-24/25 for preseason All-American after setting school records with a 1.88 ERA and 38 appearances on the mound in 2007. the 59th straight season at Rosenblatt Stadium.

6 2008 Creighton Baseball Creighton Sports Complex Introduction Coaches 2008 Bluejays The Creighton Sports Complex has served as the home of the CU baseball team since it opened in 1988 and was renovated in 2000. The on-campus facility features SafePlay playing surface on both the baseball and neighboring softball fields. In the fall of 2006, the infield of the baseball diamond was refurbished with Field Turf. The field plays 330 feet to left and right field, 400 to center field and 390 to the gaps. The complex is located at 22nd and Burt Streets in Omaha and seats 1,000 at capacity. 2007 Review Records/History

Kitty Gaughan Pavilion houses spacious locker rooms and indoor batting cages for

Bluejay players. The two-story structure is About Creighton also home to the baseball and softball offic- es. The Jim Hendry Locker Room now fea- tures new carpet and a 36” flat screen TV. On game days, concession stands and restrooms are available for fans as well as indoor viewing areas for both the baseball and softball fields. Media Info

2008 Creighton Baseball 7 Creighton and Rosenblatt Stadium Introduction Coaches 2008 Bluejays

The annual home of college baseball’s pinnacle serves as a second home for Top Single-Game Regular Season Attendance Dates

2007 Review the Creighton baseball program, as the In College Baseball History Bluejays play several games annually at Att. Team vs. Team Date Location Rosenblatt Stadium. The Jays will host nine games at the historic venue in 2008. 40,106 San Diego St. vs. Houston 3/11/04 PETCO Park Creighton has been the host of three of 28,836 Georgia vs. Georgia Tech 5/11/04 Turner Field the top 15 single-game crowds in NCAA 27,673 LSU vs. Tulane 4/10/02 Louisiana Superdome history, and six of the top 26. Each of these 25,175 Long Beach St. vs. San Diego St. 3/13/04 PETCO Park meetings have been against in-state rival 21,724 Texas vs. Rice 2/14/04 Minute Maid Park Nebraska. Last season, CU defeated the 21,620 Georgia vs. Georgia Tech 4/24/07 Turner Field Huskers, 9-2, on May 15 in front of 18,316 21,343 LSU vs. Tulane 4/27/04 Louisiana Superdome fans, the second-highest single-game total 21,158 NEBRASKA vs. CREIGHTON 5/16/06 ROSENBLATT STADIUM

Records/History in the country in 2007. Creighton annually serves as the host of 21,043 TCU vs. Texas 5/04/96 Ameriquest Field the College World Series. This year marks 20,737 Nebraska vs. San Diego St. 3/14/04 PETCO Park the 59th straight season college base- 20,011 NEBRASKA vs. CREIGHTON 5/10/05 ROSENBLATT STADIUM ball’s national champion will be crowned in 19,482 Nebraska vs. San Diego 3/12/04 PETCO Park Omaha. The 2008 CWS starts Saturday, 19,119 Georgia vs. Georgia Tech 5/11/06 Turner Field June 14, and will run through Wednesday, 18,758 NEBRASKA vs. CREIGHTON 5/15/02 ROSENBLATT STADIUM June 25. Oregon State is the two-time defending national champs. 18,348 Hawaii vs. UNLV 5/19/79 Aloha Stadium 18,316 NEBRASKA vs. CREIGHTON 5/15/07 ROSENBLATT STADIUM Creighton’s 2008 Games At Rosenblatt 18,319 Tulane vs. LSU 4/29/03 Louisiana Superdome About Creighton Tue., April 1 vs. Nebraska 6:30 PM 15,649 Texas vs. TCU 4/08/97 Ameriquest Field Fri., April 11 vs. Wichita State 6:30 PM 15,436 NEBRASKA vs. CREIGHTON 5/10/00 ROSENBLATT STADIUM Sat., April 12 vs. Wichita State 6:30 PM 15,428 Texas vs. Houston 2/09/02 Minute Maid Park Sun., April 13 vs. Wichita State 1 PM 14,991 Mississippi St. vs. Florida 4/16/88 Dudy Noble Stadium Tue., April 15 vs. Kansas State 6:30 PM 14,978 Houston vs. Texas 2/04/01 Minute Maid Park Wed., April 16 vs. Iowa 6:30 PM 14,378 Mississippi St. vs. LSU 4/16/88 Dudy Noble Stadium Tue., May 13 vs. Nebraska 7 PM 14,367 Texas vs. TCU 4/24/99 Ameriquest Field Media Info Thu., May 15 vs. Louisiana-Monroe 7 PM 14.079 TCU vs. Texas 4/28/98 Ameriquest Field Fri., May 16 vs. Louisiana-Monroe 7 PM 13,862 NEBRASKA vs. CREIGHTON 5/09/01 ROSENBLATT STADIUM

8 2008 Creighton Baseball Meet The Bluejays

Head Coach Ed Servais ...... 10-11 Assistant Coach Rob Smith ...... 12 Assistant Coach Jason Shockey ...... 12-13 Volunteer Assistant Coach Joe Cicora ...... 13 Michael Lam ...... 15 Ben Mancuso ...... 15-16 David Merchant ...... 16-17 Brett Mieras...... 17 Pat Venditte ...... 18-19 Steve Winkelmann ...... 19-20 Dan Blair ...... 20 Josh Gow and Ty Johnston ...... 21 Brandon Knox ...... 22 Zak Moore...... 22-23 Darin Ruf ...... 23-24 Ian Dike ...... 24 Robbie Knight ...... 25 Bob Lackovic ...... 26 T.J. Roemmich ...... 26-27 Casey Schmidt ...... 27 Joe Bonfe and Greg Hellhake ...... 28 Micah Metzger ...... 28-29 Josh Perreault, Jimmy Swift, Jack VanLeur ...... 29 Kevin Dooley and Joe Servais ...... 30 Vicente Cafaro and Jeremy Hauer ...... 31 Nick Nordgren ...... 31-32 Tony Pechek and Mike Nihsen ...... 32 Matt Patterson and Joey Bowens ...... 33 Jonas Dufek ...... 33-34 Elliot Soto, Ryan Westover, Zach Willand ...... 34