Simon Mathews, Georgetown
#BIGEASTbase Minute – Weekend Preview
NEW YORK – In midweek non-conference action, BIG EAST teams went 6-4 . Creighton and Seton Hall combined had two games go into extra innings and four games decided by one run. League play continues into the second weekend of BIG EAST play. After opening weekend, Creighton, Villanova and St. John’s are tied at the top at 2-1.
The Bluejays took two from Seton Hall; Villanova bested Butler by two and despite losing the opening game, St. John’s rallied to take their series from Georgetown.
For week No. 2 Creighton is once again at home, hosting Butler on BEDN. Calling the action from TD Ameritrade Park Omaha is David Gustafson and John Bishop. Villanova and St. John’s will break their early standings tie playing three games at Plymouth Meeting, Pa. and Xavier will visit Georgetown. Seton Hall has the weekend off from league action and will host LIU Brooklyn.
National Statistical Leaders and RPI
In Friday’s RPI report, Creighton moved up from No. 30 to No. 26. In the latest NCAA Statistical reports, Creighton is the Division I leader in hits allowed per nine innings (6.18). Creighton is also third in ERA (2.33) and third in fielding percentage (0.984). Seton Hall continues to by the leader in stolen bases in the conference as the Pirates are second nationally in swipes (91) and stolen bases/game (2.68). Seton Hall’s Derek Jenkins leads the nation in steals (33) and steals per game (1.06).
Series Notes
Butler at Creighton:
The Bluejays are 5-1 against the Bulldogs, sweeping Butler last time at TD Ameritrade. Creighton is 15-3 at home and have lost just seven games all year, one in league play. The Bluejays are ranked 30th in the country according to
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Xavier at Georgetown:
Musketeer head coach Scott Googins tied the XU win record with 287 with an 8-5 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday. In 2014, the Hoyas took two of three from Xavier. XU won game one with five homers. This is Xavier’s first weekend of BIG EAST play.
St. John’s at Villanova:
SJU split their midweek games and Villanova has not played since last weekend. The Red Storm and Wildcats have met 75 times dating back to 1960. SJU leads 49-26. St. John’s scored 20 runs in their midweek win at Albany. Both teams are tied at 2-1 in conference action.
LIU Brooklyn at Seton Hall:
Seton Hall will continue non-conference play hosting LIU Brooklyn. The Pirates are 13-1 at home this season.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, April 15
ST. JOHN’S at VILLANOVA - 3:15 p.m.
XAVIER at GEORGETOWN - 4 p.m.
LIU Brooklyn at SETON HALL - 6 p.m.
BUTLER at CREIGHTON - 7:30 p.m. (BEDN)
Saturday, April 16
BUTLER at CREIGHTON - 1 p.m.
LIU Brooklyn at SETON HALL - 1 p.m.
XAVIER at GEORGETOWN - 1 p.m.
ST. JOHN’S at VILLANOVA - 1:15 p.m.
Sunday, April 17
BUTLER at CREIGHTON - 12 p.m.
LIU Brooklyn at SETON HALL - 12 p.m.
XAVIER at GEORGETOWN - 1 p.m.
ST. JOHN’S at VILLANOVA - 1:15 p.m.
Midweek Results
Wednesday, April 13
CREIGHTON 6, South Dakota State 5 (11)
XAVIER 8, Cincinnati 5
IPFW 1, Butler 0
Princeton 9, ST. JOHN’S 4
Rutgers 3, SETON HALL 2
Tuesday, April 12
CREIGHTON 4, Nebraska 3
GEORGETOWN 12, George Mason 5
ST. JOHN’S 20, Albany 3
SETON HALL 7, Rutgers 6 (10)
Miami (Ohio) 3, XAVIER 2