Game #1 - Gardner-Webb

H R E Gardner-Webb (0-1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 9 1 Creighton (1-0) 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 11 1

WP - Marc Lewis (1-0), LP - Jonathon Ban (0-1), SV - Andy Masten (1) 2B - GW: Miller, Bubbley, Harris. HR - CU: Gradoville (1)

Box Score

Recaps: CU | GWU
Media: OWH

Over the past few years, it has seemed like the first game of the season has been a good barometer of later success in the season for the Jays. The teams that have won early were able to persevere and make the NCAA Regionals. Teams that struggled early had a hard time catching up. Now, I think the story behind that is simple: with the long road swings and the lack of early outdoor practice time, the teams that have had the talent to overcome that early have been the sorts of teams that have been built for the long haul and to contend for postseason play. So, while it's one game out of 50-60 and it's not against what would be considered a powerhouse by any means, it's a very good sign that Coach Servais' squad was able to come out early yesterday, set the tone and hold on for a solid 4-3 win over Gardner-Webb in the first game of the Winthrop Challenge.

Last season, a lot of offensive lulls and slumps the team saw were attributed to a lack of production and tablesetting at the top of the order. Yesterday was a classic example of what getting runners on base can do for you. The freshman Kansas State transfer Robbie Knight was able to reach base safely to lead off the game against Bulldog starter Jonathon Bam and that limited his options when the big thunder in Chris Gradoville came to the plate and the senior co-captain came through, taking the pitch out to left center to give the Jays a 2-0 lead and off they went.

In his first start of the year, Bluejay ace Marc Lewis showed that he was picking up just where he left off in terms of his dominant performance last season. Going 5.1 innings giving up just an infield hit, Marc cut through the Bulldog lineup with relative ease. Gardner-Webb's chance came in the 7th after Pat Venditte came in to relieve Marc with one out in the sixth. In that seventh inning, Venditte gave up two runs on four hits before being relieved by the senior Scott Reese. Reese did give up the third run of the inning after coming in, but was able to regain control and sat down his last four batters.

One of the keys we mentioned in the season preview was who was going to develop as that tandem with Reese at the end of the bullpen. Today, that job went to the Auburn transfer Andy Masten. Masten came in from right field after going 2-4 at the plate to take the mound in the ninth, suffocating any hopes for a comeback with two strikeouts and his first career save.

We saw a lot of good things in this game. The Jays got out early, received solid contributions from a lot of newcomers, especially Knight, Masten and third baseman Steve Winkelmann, who helped fuel the two run second to put the Jays ahead for good. Now, the big test comes with a game this afternoon against the home standing and 25th ranked Winthrop Eagles. This will be an early opportunity for the Jays to make a statement about what this team is truly capable of doing this season.