Baylor Baseball Salvages Series, Splits Doubleheader to No. 16 Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas – Baylor baseball (15-25, 6-12) salvaged its series against No. 16 Texas Tech (29-13, 8-7) by splitting Saturday’s doubleheader at Rip Griffin Park.

The Red Raiders defeated BU in the first game, 14-9. But the Bears picked up a hard-fought 6-4 win in the second game, thanks to some clutch hitting and a fantastic pitching performance from junior Cam Caley.

With the second game tied at three apiece in the top of the eighth inning, junior 2B Cole Posey lined a go-ahead RBI single into centerfield. Freshman SS Kolby Branch followed Posey with a two-run double into the right-center field gap to extend Baylor’s lead to 6-3.

Baylor Athletics

The Bears’ offense totaled 13 hits in the win. Sophomore catcher Cortlan Castle went 3-4 at the plate and scored two runs.

Sophomore Gabe Craig entered into a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth and escaped the inning. Craig then closed out the game in the ninth for his second save of the season.

In a spot start for junior Will Rigney, Caley pitched arguably the best game of the season from a Baylor starting pitcher.

The junior lefty went a career-high 6.2 innings, allowed just one earned run and struck out seven on 111 pitches.

The Bears’ offense totaled 13 hits in the win. Sophomore catcher Cortlan Castle went 3-4 at the plate and scored two runs. Branch, Posey, Casen Neumann and Caleb Bergman all had multi-hit performances as well.

In the first game, the Red Raiders put up five quick runs in the first inning off of sophomore Mason Marriott. 

Baylor Athletics

The Red Raiders scored five runs in the first inning off of sophomore RHP Mason Marriott.

After the disastrous start, Marriott settled in nicely and finished the afternoon surrendering six earned runs, seven hits and five walks in five innings pitched.

The Bears fought back and tied the game with a five-spot in the top of the sixth inning.

In the frame, junior RF Cole Tremain and redshirt freshman 3B Jack Johnson delivered RBI extra-base hits.

The momentum quickly swung back in Texas Tech’s favor after the Red Raiders added four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 10-6 lead. 

Veteran relievers Anderson Needham and Hambleton Oliver combined to allow eight earned runs in three innings of work out of the bullpen.

Baylor made things interesting late and cut the lead to 14-9, but junior LF Kobe Andrade grounded out to end the game with runners on second and third base.

Despite the loss, Branch, Tremain and Gavin Brzozowski each had three-hit performances. The Bears' offense finished with 12 hits.

Final Game 1:  Texas Tech 14 - Baylor 9

W: Ryan Free (5-3) L: Anderson Needham (0-1)

Final Game 2: Baylor 6, Texas Tech 4

W: Grant Golomb (2-3) L: Kyle Robinson (0-1) S: Gabe Craig (2)

WHAT’S NEXT

Baylor baseball (15-25) will return to Waco for a midweek matchup against Tarleton State (19-16) Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.