Nebraska Baseball Looks to Bounce Back Against Rival Creighton

Huskers host Bluejays after tough series loss to Oregon

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:56pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the action of a college baseball game, with players, bats, and baseballs fragmented into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.Nebraska and Creighton renew their in-state rivalry with high stakes for both teams' postseason aspirations.Central City Today

After a disappointing series loss to No. 21 Oregon, the Nebraska baseball team looks to rebound against in-state rival Creighton on Tuesday. The Huskers will host the Bluejays at Hawks Field, seeking to avenge their close 6-5 defeat in the teams' previous matchup on March 31 in Omaha.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for Nebraska's hopes of hosting an NCAA Regional, as they look to bounce back from a tough weekend against a quality opponent. Creighton, meanwhile, is looking to continue its recent success against the Huskers, having won 8 of the last 11 matchups and the last 6 season series.

The details

Nebraska will send sophomore right-hander Gavin Blachowicz to the mound, who has a 2.86 ERA in 28.1 innings this season. Creighton will counter with freshman righty Jakob Ruhl, who has a 4.64 ERA in 21.1 innings of work. The Bluejays are led offensively by graduate transfer Ben North, who is hitting .355 with 15 stolen bases, and junior catcher Connor Capece, an All-Big East Second Team selection last year.

  • The game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 at 6 p.m. CDT.
  • Nebraska took the first matchup between the teams on March 31, winning 6-5 in Omaha.

The players

Gavin Blachowicz

Nebraska's sophomore right-handed pitcher has a 2.86 ERA in 28.1 innings this season.

Jakob Ruhl

Creighton's freshman right-handed pitcher has a 4.64 ERA in 21.1 innings of work.

Ben North

Creighton's graduate transfer is hitting .355 with 15 stolen bases this season.

Connor Capece

Creighton's junior catcher was an All-Big East Second Team selection last year.

Isaac Wachsmann

Creighton's transfer from Xavier leads the team in home runs (7), RBIs (30), and doubles (8).

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get back home and play in front of our fans against a tough in-state rival. This is a big game for us as we look to bounce back from a tough series loss.”

— Will Bolt, Nebraska Head Coach

“Our team has been playing well lately, and we're looking forward to the challenge of going on the road against a quality opponent like Nebraska. This is a big game for our program.”

— Mark Kingston, Creighton Head Coach

What’s next

After the Creighton game, Nebraska will host No. 12 USC for a crucial three-game series this weekend as they look to solidify their case for hosting an NCAA Regional.

The takeaway

This in-state rivalry matchup between Nebraska and Creighton has major postseason implications, as both teams look to boost their resumes for the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers will be motivated to defend their home field and avenge their earlier loss to the Bluejays, while Creighton aims to continue its recent dominance in the series.