Blair High School graduate Shea Wendt pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings last Saturday as the Creighton Bluejays baseball team won a Big East championship and claimed an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
The former Bear's Jays (41-14 overall) next play Kansas (43-15) at 7 p.m. today during Fayetteville Regional play in Arkansas. The Razorbacks (43-13) and the North Dakota State Bison (20-32) will also contend for a Super Regional spot during the tourney.
Wendt struck out six batters during his time on the mound in the Big East final in Mason, Ohio. The right-handed sophomore did not earn a decision against UConn, which CU beat 7-4, but he didn't allow a single hit either.
Pitcher Brendan Strenke ultimately earned the win for the Jays, while Garrett Langrell claimed the save. Tate Gillen was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, too, while Connor Capece — the ex-Omaha Gross catcher who secured the district finals pitching win against Wendt's BHS squad in 2023 — earned the Jack Kaiser Most Outstanding Player award during the league tournament.
After closing out his freshman season with a 7.04 ERA across 23 innings, Wendt has a 3.71 ERA across 26 2/3 entering the NCAA Tournament. In 15 appearances, including five starts, the Blair grad has 37 strikeouts.
