Creighton Baseball Pushes Past Tulane, 8-6, In 12 Innings

New Orleans, La. -- Nate McHugh blasted through the Tulane Green Wave with a game-winning two-run blast in the 12th inning to lift Creighton Baseball to an 8-6 win in the series opener on Friday, March 13.

The victory lifted Creighton to 6-8 on the season, while Tulane fell to 9-9 overall.

Creighton surfed out to a 6-0 lead in the opening frame, taking advantage of five hits, two walks and two hit batters. Rocco Gump and McHugh got things rolling with as Gump was hit by the first pitch of the game, then McHugh laced a double to right center. Teddy Deters followed with a walk, then Ben North bounced a two-run single through the right side. Connor Capece followed with an RBI grounder to give the Bluejays a 3-0 edge.

After a walk to Isaac Wachsmann and a stolen base from North, Lew Rice bounced an RBI single over the head of the Tulane first baseman to push the lead to 4-0. Rice quickly stole second to put two Jays in scoring position, then Chris Baillargeon laced a two-run single up the middle, giving Creighton a 6-0 advantage.

Tulane responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, but Bluejay starter, Jack Pineau, held the Green Wave there until a two-run home run in the sixth from Nolan Nawrocki chased him. 

The game remained 6-4 into the ninth when Tulane got a two-run double from Tanner Chun, knotted the game at 6-6. 

Bullpen arms Matt Goldenbaum and Jakob Ruhl stranded six Green Wave runners in the ninth, tenth and 11th frames to set the stage for McHugh.

With two men down in the 12th, Rocco Gump worked a 2-0 count then laced a double down the left field line. McHugh got ahead as well by taking a ball, then blasted a home run 396 feet into left field to put the Bluejays back on top.

Ruhl earned his first win (1-1) with two innings of scoreless relief, while Tulane closer Jake Toporek took the loss (0-1) by surrendering the two runs in the 12th.

The Bluejays and Green Wave continue their three-game series on Saturday, March 14 at 2:00 pm.