Baylor Baseball Drops Saturday Game to K-State, 7-5

MANHATTAN, Kansas – Baylor baseball (24-23, 6-14) dropped the second game of the series against Kansas State (26-23, 7-13) on Saturday afternoon, 7-5.

The game did not start how Kobe Andrade would have anticipated. The first three Wildcats he faced all got aboard in the bottom of the first inning. An RBI double and a sacrifice-fly gave K-State an early 2-0 lead over the Bears. 

That lead got extended even further thanks to a solo shot and a 2 RBI single in the bottom of the second. Andrade was forced to exit after only an inning and a third pitched. He finished the afternoon giving up 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, and 2 BB on 46 pitches. K-State led 5-0 after the second inning. 

Kansas State’s, German Fajardo, was dealing the first time through the Baylor order. Six of the nine Bears in the starting lineup struck out in their first at-bat against the reigning Big 12 pitcher of the week. 

Baylor Athletics

The offense finally started to show some life in the middle innings. A scorching Tre Richardson picked up his fourth hit of the series and the first Baylor hit of the game with a single through the left side. Jared McKenzie followed with a two-run shot down the left-field line to bring the Kansas State lead to 5-2. 

With two outs and runners on the corners in the fifth inning, Richardson clobbered a game-tying 3-run home run down the left-field line. Richardson’s home run capped a five-run response to K-State’s five runs out of the gate.

Baylor’s offense would have been unable to make the game close had it not been for Grant Golomb. Golomb completely held down the middle innings and kept the Kansas State offense at bay. Coming off of really solid performances against Texas Tech and Tarleton State, Golomb continued that forward momentum in today’s game. He went 3.2 IP and did not allow a run while striking out four. 

Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the game remained tied. Mason Marriott saw his first action since April 19th against Sam Houston State. Marriott’s slider was electric and he was having great success with his offspeed pitches while being unable to consistently hit the strike zone with his fastball. He walked two batters and then spiked a ball into the dirt to advance the two Wildcats. With two outs and a 1-2 count on the batter, Marriott allowed a go-ahead single into right field to give K-State the 7-5 lead. 

The two-run lead was ultimately enough to win the game for the Wildcats. Baylor had opportunities late, but nothing came of them. 

Baylor Athletics

Esteban Cardoza-Oquendo drew a leadoff walk to start the ninth inning, but Jack Pineda grounded into a double play on the first pitch he saw. Time and time again, swinging at the first pitch hurts this Baylor team. 

Even with a loss on Saturday, the Bears remain two games ahead of Kansas in the Big 12 standings.

Final: Kansas State 7 - Baylor 5

W: Blake Corsentino (4-5) L: Mason Marriott (2-3) S: Dylan Phillips (5) 

POTG: Tre Richardson 3-5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI

WHAT’S NEXT

Baylor baseball (24-23, 6-14) finishes its series against Kansas State (26-23, 7-13) tomorrow at Tointon Family Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 P.M.