Baylor Baseball Takes Series Opener against Kansas State, 4-2

MANHATTAN, Kansas – Baylor baseball (24-22, 6-13) took the series opener against Kansas State (25-23, 6-13) on Friday night, 4-2.

With the season winding down, this weekend’s series against Kansas State will have big implications for the bottom of the Big 12 standings. Heading into Friday night’s game, Baylor sat in eighth place a game behind Kansas State and one game ahead of Kansas. 

Thanks to great performances from Jake Jackson and Tre Richardson, the green and gold tied Kansas State for seventh place in the conference and ended their eight game losing streak away from home.

The Bears had the leadoff man aboard in the first three consecutive innings. But it wasn’t until the third inning that the Baylor offense was finally able to capitalize. Richardson lined an RBI single into right field to score Jacob Schoevogel from third. BU led 1-0 after the top of the third inning. 

The Bears were able to blow the game open in the fifth inning with a barrage of three runs. Esteban Cardoza-Oquendo started the big inning with an RBI single into left field that scored Harrison Caley from second. Richardson picked up his second hit of the night on an RBI double into left-center to score Cardoza-Oquendo. Jared McKenzie then followed with an RBI single of his own, this time into right field to score Richardson from second base. 

Baylor Athletics

The Wildcats intentionally walked Kyle Nevin to load the bases. But in a 3-1 count and with two outs, Casen Neumann was robbed of a bases-loaded hit by a diving stop from the K-State second baseman to end the inning. Even though they could not add a few more runs, the Bears still maintained a comfortable 4-0 lead after the fifth inning.  

Kansas State’s starter, Blake Adams, struggled to find the strike zone and allowed a leadoff runner in five of the six innings he pitched. Adams ended the night with 6 IP and gave up 4 ER, 5 H, and 5 BB on 91 total pitches. 

In his second consecutive Friday night start, Jake Jackson made quick work of a solid K-State lineup. He was great and worked extremely efficiently. Jackson ended the game going 7 IP and allowed an ER, 6 H, BB, and 3 Ks on 92 pitches.

But once everything seemed to be going smoothly, Matt Voelker entered into pitch and made things interesting. Voelker had already allowed a run in the inning but was able to pick up a big strikeout with the bases loaded to retire the side. The Wildcats trailed 4-2 after the eighth inning. 

Voelker remained in the game to close out the ninth inning and was able to clinch the win for the Bears while picking up his third save of the season. 

Final: Baylor 4 - Kansas State 2

W: Jake Jackson (4-4) L: Blake Adams (5-5) S: Matt Voelker (3)

POTG: Tre Richardson 3-4, R, BB, 2 2B, 2 RBI

WHAT’S NEXT

Baylor baseball (24-22, 6-13) continues their series against Kansas State (25-23, 6-13) tomorrow at Tointon Family Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 P.M.