Game Notes

Omaha, Neb. - The Pacific baseball team opens a three-game series at Creighton Friday at the home of the College World Series, TD Ameritrade Ballpark in Omaha.

The Tigers (5-10) are wrapping up an 11-day, seven-game road trip with the three-game set against the Blue Jays (7-3).

Pacific is 1-3 on the road trip, with a loss at No. 24 Oklahoma State, and a win in a three-game series at 2012 Super Regional participant TCU. The Tigers' two losses against TCU were one-run affairs, with the Horned Frogs taking the series with a walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th last Sunday.

Friday's action opens at 4 p.m. Pacific Time, with sophomore RHP Mike Hager getting the call for Pacific. Hager is 0-1 on the year with a 3.77 ERA. In 14.1 innings pitched, he's struck out eight. Hager, who ranks second in the Big West in fewest walks issued, has handed out two free passes this season, and has walked just 15 in his career (three intentionally). Hager allowed two runs in his 6.2 innings of work against TCU, his first start of the season.

Creighton counters with redshirt freshman RHP Tommy Strunc, who carries a 4.60 ERA on the year. He is 2-0 in 15.2 innings, with 13 strikeouts against nine walks. In his last outing, he lasted five innings against Arkansas-Little Rock, picking up the win while allowing two earned runs.

On Saturday, game two starts at noon PT, with junior RHP Cory Popham taking the hill for the Tigers. Popham is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA on the year. In 28 innings, he's fanned 10. He reeled off 16 shutout innings, and took a no decision against TCU as he tossed 7.1 IP and departed with a 3-2 lead.

Creighton will start senior RHP Nick Musec, who is 0-1 with a 5.02 ERA. In 14.1 innings, he's struck out five against six walks. He tossed 5.2 innings against Austin Peay in his last outing on March 9, allowing five earned on nine hits.

Pacific will send Michael Benson to the mound in Sunday's 11 am PT game three. Benson is 2-0 on the year with a 1.78 ERA. In 30.1 innings on the year, he has struck out six. In his last outing, he carried a shutout into the ninth at TCU, striking out two and scattering six hits.

Creighton's Sunday start has not been announced.

The Tigers' pitching staff was one of the last five in the country to surrender a home run this season. Pacific tossed 128.1 innings to open the year before a ninth-inning home run by No. 24 Oklahoma State on Tuesday. Only four teams have longer streaks.

Pacific's defense has also been solid, as the Tigers have a mere two miscues in their last eight games. However, cold temperatures could be a factor this weekend, as Omaha is expected to see gameday highs in the mid 40s on Saturday and Sunday.

Following the contest, Pacific will return home to face