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Creighton's baseball team begins practice Friday perched on the proverbial next step.

The past two times the Bluejays were in a similar position — in 2006 and 2008 — they stumbled, unable to build on the momentum gained by NCAA tournament appearances in 2005 and 2007.

Can this season produce different results? Can Creighton not only make it back to tournament play but take another step in establishing itself as a real contender to end its season in Omaha?

Coach Ed Servais believes that the answer to both questions is yes. So does left-hander Ty Blach.

"I think the big key for us is that we have so many guys returning," said Blach, the Bluejays' projected ace. "With all the seniors we have back, we have the leadership to build on. We have a lot of guys that know what it takes to get to where we want to go.

"I think we have a good chance to put together another quality season. Everyone is really excited to get it going."

Servais has sensed that in the days leading up to Friday's formal start of practice for collegiate teams around the country. Since the end of fall ball, the Bluejays have endured weeks of offseason conditioning, individual workouts and limited team drills.

"They're ready," Servais said.

But are they ready to take the next step?

"We've talked a lot about that," Servais said. "Seven or eight years ago, our first step was to try to win the conference championship and then it was to win the conference tournament and then it was to try to do both in the same year.

"We've done that, but now it's whether we can become consistent. Can we do something in back-to-back years? In the fall, we were a little complacent. We were feeling a little too good about ourselves with what took place last spring. But I'm impressed with the attitude the guys came back with after Christmas."

The 2006 and 2008 teams talked about their desire to get back to the NCAA tournament, but couldn't get the job done. The Bluejays are talking the same talk this season but feel that they are better equipped to walk the walk.

The losses of right fielder Trever Adams and shortstop Jimmy Swift must be addressed. So must the departure of right-hander Jonas Dufek, who teamed with Blach to anchor the rotation.

But Creighton does return seven of its nine everyday starters. Blach has the kind of stuff to stymie opposing hitters on Friday night, and the Bluejays return four of five pitchers from an ultra-productive bullpen.

"I can't remember a year when we return seven of our top nine position players and four guys in the bullpen," Servais said. "And we have Ty Blach to be the centerpiece of the rotation.

"We have some things in place. We are a veteran team. There's always some positives to that, and there can be some negatives. We do know that we have a couple of major positions that we have to get filled here sooner than later."

Adams led the Bluejays in hitting (.387), home runs (14) and RBIs (57) last season. Swift anchored the defense, drove in 42 runs and hit fourth in the lineup behind Adams.

"We have to figure out who's going to hit 3 and 4," Servais said.

Candidates include catchers Anthony Bemboom and Scott Thornburg and outfielder Mike Gerber. Bemboom and Thornburg also will see action at designated hitter when not behind the plate. Gerber hit seven home runs last seasons but must cut down on his strikeouts (61 in 168 at-bats).

"You have to have a lot to hit in those spots," Servais said. "You have to have toughness. You not only have to be a good hitter physically, but you have to be mentally strong, too."

Junior-college transfer Petr Zyma or Alex Staehely, the starter at second base the past two seasons, will compete for the starting spot at shortstop. Zyma's development in the fall was hampered as he was still recovering from an arm injury.

In the bullpen, the Bluejays return right-handers Kurt Spomer, Chase Webb and Reese McGraw and left-hander Mark Winkelman. They combined to make 131 appearances last season, and Spomer emerged as the team's closer and finished with 13 saves.

"That's the strength of our team," Servais said. "We knew going into last season that we had depth out there, but those guys really emerged. We really feel good about those four guys that are returning."

The departures of Dufek and Greg Hellhake leave holes to fill in the rotation, but Blach provides the Bluejays with a Friday night starter to match up with any opponent. Blach posted a 10-3 record with a 2.65 ERA last season while striking out 100 in 102 innings.

A repeat could leave the junior facing a difficult decision in June when the professional draft comes around. Blach says that can wait.

"That stuff will take care of itself," he said. "I'm not going to make any decisions until then. I know if this team does well and has success, then ultimately I could do well.

"I've talked with several scouts, and they've all said things will depend on how this spring goes. I'm just focusing on doing whatever I can to help this team win games. I want to see how far we can take this thing."

Contact the writer:

402-679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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