Mason, Ohio – No. 4 seed Creighton used a pair of three-run innings to move past No. 2 seed UConn, 7-4, in Thursday night’s elimination game of the 2026 BIG EAST Baseball Championship Presented by Jeep at Prasco Park.
The Bluejays advance to the second semifinal game on Saturday, at a time to be determined, against the loser of Friday’s game between No. 1 seed St. John’s and No. 3 seed Xavier. That contest is schedule to begin at 8:00 am (CT).
After a scoreless opening inning, Creighton got things rolling in the top of the second inning when senior third baseman Rocco Gump tripled off the right center wall to drive in Chris Baillargeon and Cooper Fuchino. Moments later, Nate McHugh connected for an RBI double to extend the lead to 3-0, as Gump trotted across home plate.
The Huskies cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the fourth, when Maddix Dalena drove a hit through the left side for an RBI single, sending freshman Cam Righi home. Two batters later, Rob Rispoli lifted a sacrifice fly to left field.
Creighton doubled its tally in the top of the sixth inning with three more runs, to jump in front 6-2. Gump first reached on a throwing error, as Baillargeon advanced to third and Fuchino scored. McHugh followed with a two-RBI single.
The Huskies cut the four-run deficit in half, 6-4, in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Rispoli followed up a Marshall double with a two-run home run.
Gump added a cushion in the top of the ninth inning, with RBI single bunt to advance freshman pinch runner Joe Washburn home for the Bluejays’ seventh run of the contest.
For the game, McHugh led the way for the Bluejays, collecting three RBI on a pair of hits, while Gump registered three RBI and two runs with two hits and a walk earned.
Bluejay starter Wilson Magers earned the win (3-1), allowing three runs on three hite and two walks in five innings. Shea Wendt, meanwhile, tossed three innings of scoreless ball to collect his first save of the year. Connecticut starter Cayden Suchy took the loss (5-3), allowing three runs on six hits and two walks in three innings.
2026 BIG EAST Baseball Championship Schedule
Thursday, May 21 (ESPN+)
Game 1: No. 1 seed St. John’s 4, No. 4 seed Creighton 2
Game 2: No. 3 seed Xavier 5, No. 2 UConn 1 – 4 p.m. ET
Game 3: No. 4 seed Creighton 7, No. 2 seed UConn 4 (Elimination Game)
Friday, May 22 (ESPN+)
Game 4: No. 1 seed St. John’s vs. No. 3 seed Xavier – 8:00 am CT
Saturday, May 23 (ESPN+)
Game 5: No. 4 seed Creighton vs. Game 4 loser – TBD (Elimination Game)
Sunday, May 24 (ESPN+)
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner – TBD
Game 7 (If Necessary): TBD