WACO, Texas – Baylor University defeated Stephen F. Austin 10-3 in the midweek matchup at Baylor Ballpark. Baylor improves to 10-19 while SFA falls to 13-14.
The Lumberjacks were roughly able to keep with the Bears in terms of total hits, just couldn’t string enough together to put more runs on the board. The ‘Jacks were able to string two hits in the first inning when a Peyton Parker double turned into a run when Cal Martin drove him in with a RBI single.
Back-to-back doubles for Baylor tied the game in the second inning and three singles in the third gave them the lead at 2-1. Lumberjack starter, Reid Bowyer, limited the damage as he worked out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the third.
The bats for the Bears picked back up in the fifth inning when they scored three runs off of three singles, a hit-by-pitch, and a sacrifice fly. A two-run homer in the seventh grew Baylor’s lead to 7-1. Their lead expanded more in the eighth inning when four singles, a sacrifice fly, and a fielding error gave the Bears three more runs to give them a nine-run lead heading into the top of the ninth.The ‘Jacks started a late-game rally when they loaded the bases on the first three batters with an error, single, and a hit-by-pitch. Nolan Brown was able to come through at the plate with an RBI single, keeping the bases loaded for Tom Biggs. Biggs then hit a fielder’s choice to short who got the out at second but allowed the runner from third to score. The late rally was cut short when the Bears turned a double play to end the game.
Even though the ‘Jacks didn’t put up any runs through the middle of the game, they collected 11 hits against a Big 12 team. Martin and Parker each picked up two hits and Alex Rodgers reached base three times with a double and two walks.
SFA now sets their sights to Stephenville where they will take on Tarleton for a three-game series starting Thursday at 6:00 p.m.