Baylor picks up midweek win over Rice, 9-0

HOUSTON, Texas – Baylor baseball delivered a big midweek win against Rice (2-6) on Wednesday night to get to the .500 mark for the first time this season (4-4).

Thanks to a day full of defensive struggles for Rice, Baylor was able to capitalize early and often. The Owls had four errors and only five of Baylor's nine runs were earned. However, that is not a slight at the Bear's offense, they hit very well tonight, tallying thirteen hits. Everyone was putting the ball in play, Baylor only struck out five times, their second-fewest in a game so far this season.

The night started with a bang when Rice's right fielder, Guy Garibay Jr. hit a lined shot into deep center with a runner on base. The ball looked headed for the gap, but Jared McKenzie was able to come up with it. McKenzie then threw the runner out back at first for Baylor’s nation-leading eleventh double play of the season.

In the top of the second, Antonio Valdez got his first hit since opening night with a single down the right-field line. Chase Wehsener was able to score from first after a throwing error by Rice, giving Baylor the early lead, 1-0. 

Baylor blew the game wide open in the fifth. Jared McKenzie hit a shot through the glove of the Rice second baseman, Pineda and Richardson scored on the error, adding to the lead 3-0. Then Kyle Nevin hit a towering two-run home run down the left-field line, giving the Bears their second home run of the season. Alex Gonzales followed a Valdez walk with a double to right field, putting the Bears in a comfortable position with a 6-0 lead.

The pitching by committee from Baylor was great tonight. Henry Cone, Kobe Andrade, Chandler Freeman, Cam Caley, Grant Golomb, and Cole Stasio all combined for the shutout. Rice only had two hits, one of which led off the game. 

It was a great night all around for Baylor baseball. Everyone was putting the ball in play and good things were happening because of it. The most important thing that I saw from the Bears tonight was zero errors, the first time this has been achieved since Opening Night against Maryland. This team did not beat themselves, which is a great sign. This is exactly the type of momentum Baylor needs to take into the Shriners Classic this weekend.  

Final: Baylor 9 - Rice 0

W: Kobe Andrade(2-0) L: Parker Smith (1-1)

POTG: Jack Pineda 3-5, 2 R

WHAT'S NEXT

The Bears will remain in Houston to compete in this weekend’s Shriners Children’s Classic at Minute Maid Park. The Shriners Classic lineup is loaded this year with schools such as Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and UCLA all participating. 

Baylor looks to build on last week's momentum by opening the weekend against No. 23 UCLA at 11 A.M. on Friday. The Bears play No. 16 Tennessee at 3 P.M Saturday and end with No. 8 LSU at 7:30 P.M. Sunday night.