The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
No. 1 Baseball loses series opener to No. 16 Baylor, 3-2
03.18.2005 | Baseball
AUSTIN, Texas -- Despite putting the tying run in scoring position in each of the final three innings, No. 1 Texas (21-2, 0-1 Big 12) dropped a 3-2 decision to No. 16 Baylor (13-7, 1-0 Big 12) in front of 6,621 fans at Disch-Falk Field on Friday, March 18.
The Bears broke on top 3-0 in the top of the third as they loaded the bases with two outs before Zach Dillon and Reid Brees came up with consecutive singles to bring home three runs. Baylor starter Cory VanAllen, meanwhile, limited the Longhorns' offense to a pair of base hits through the first five innings. On the other side of the ledger, UT starter Randy Boone (Yoakum, Texas) retired eight in a row after Baylor scored its third run to keep the Baylor lead at 3-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Texas used a leadoff walk to Drew Stubbs (Atlanta, Texas) followed by a single off the bat of Seth Johnston (Boerne, Texas) that was mishandled in center field to break up VanAllen's shutout bid. Taylor Teagarden (Carrollton, Texas) then came up with a groundout up the middle to score Johnston and make it a 3-2 ballgame. One inning later, UT threatened to tie the game by placing runners on the corners with one out via a dropped pop up and an infield single, but second baseman Michael Griffin made a tremendous over the shoulder catch in short right field and reliever Ryan LaMotta induced a fly out to end the inning with the Bears still in front.
Texas would again put the tying run on in the bottom of the ninth with a leadoff walk to Dooley Prince (Sulphur, La.), but Abe Woody came on from the Baylor bullpen and set down the first three batters he faced to preserve the victory and earn his fifth save. Picking up the win for Baylor was VanAllen, who allowed only one run on three hits over 6.1 innings, while Boone incurred the loss despite striking out seven over 5.2 frames.
On the night, the Longhorns were led by Johnston, who extended his current hit streak to seven games by tallying one of UT's four hits, and reliever Clayton Stewart (Angleton, Texas), who struck out four for the second time this season during a career-long 3.1 innings. Baylor, meanwhile, had its seven-hit attack paced by Chase Gerdes, who went 2-for-5 with one run scored, and Dillon, who drove in a pair of runs.
The series now shifts to the Baylor Ballpark in Waco for the final two games. The first pitch on Saturday, March 19 is set for 6 p.m. Central, while the start time for the Sunday, March 20 contest, which will be televised by CSTV, is slated for 1 p.m.
