Ed Servais is in the final stretch of his 22nd and concluding season as the head coach of the Creighton Bluejays, but he has chosen to keep the focus on the team and their performance rather than his retirement. His players are determined to honor him by excelling on the field, bridging the gap between Servais and the incoming coach, Mark Kingston.
This season has been monumental for Creighton, as they swept both the regular-season and tournament titles, securing an NCAA tournament berth for the first time since 2019. Kyle Hess, playing his sixth season, expressed the team’s collective ambition, stating, “It feels really good to be in this spot. But we’re definitely not satisfied just with winning the Big East. We want more than that.”
Creighton’s journey to the College World Series begins at the Fayetteville Regional, where they will face tough competition, including Arkansas, the national No. 3 seed, and Kansas, which is experiencing a remarkable season. Creighton will first face Kansas, a critical matchup that Servais describes as a must-win for setting the tone of the weekend.
In previous regional appearances, Creighton learned how crucial it is to win the opening game. Servais recalls their last regional run, where they dropped the first match against Michigan and had to fight back, ultimately falling short. He emphasized that this time, “Nobody wants to come through the losers bracket.”
For Creighton to succeed, their pitching must excel against formidable opposing lineups. The Bluejays’ pitchers have performed well this season, ranking 15th in Division I with a 4.00 ERA. However, they face a challenge at the hitter-friendly Baum-Walker Stadium, where Arkansas and Kansas have been prolific scorers and home run hitters.
Despite the obstacles, the Bluejays come into this tournament with momentum and confidence, having won 21 of their last 23 games. Closer Garrett Langrell remarked, “We’re going to go in there riding a lot of momentum and extremely confident.”
Creighton leads the all-time series against Kansas 25-18, yet they’ve lost their last six encounters. The Jayhawks excelled in the Big 12 this season, bringing a seasoned lineup to the regional stage. Servais anticipates an offensive challenge: “My guess is it’s not going to be a 3-2 game.”
Although the stakes are high, Servais has found a sense of calm as he approaches the final games of his coaching career. He wants his players to enjoy their moment, hoping for lasting memories in what could be a historic conclusion to a successful tenure.
Overall, Creighton’s determination, combined with their recent performance, places them in a strong position as they enter this challenging tournament, aiming to extend their journey and celebrate their coach’s legacy.