Baylor Baseball Drops Fourth Straight, Loses 6-4 to Abilene Christian

WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball (1-7) extended its losing streak to four games with a late-inning 6-4 loss to Abilene Christian (7-3) Wednesday evening at Baylor Ballpark.

Dating back to last season, Baylor has dropped three straight games to ACU. Offensively, the short-handed Bears’ batting order picked up eight hits but went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Baylor’s pitching staff combined to issue out nine free passes in a ballgame where the wind significantly impacted hitting, and the defense racked up two errors.

Baylor Athletics

Baylor had multiple opportunities to take the lead in the later innings but failed to come up with the go-ahead hit.

“There’s disappointing ways that end up coming back to beat you in a tight ballgame,” head coach Mitch Thompson said after the defeat. “We had multiple opportunities in different ways. Defensively, we weren’t really sharp in certain places. Offensively, we weren’t sharp in certain places. And on the mound, [we weren’t sharp] in certain places. … It’s disappointing we can’t get a win right now.”

With the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning, pinch-hitter Daniel Altman (Sr.) hit a dribbler just past the pitcher’s mound, but some spotty defense from ACU allowed the veteran utility man to beat out the throw at first base to tie the game at four apiece.

The following at-bat, third baseman Hunter Teplanszky (Jr.) struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning and complete the platinum sombrero – which signifies a player who strikes out five times in a single contest.

The Wildcats swiftly took advantage of Baylor’s inability to grab hold of the lead in the top of the ninth. After surrendering a double down the left field line, veteran righty Gabe Craig (RJr.) entered the game on the mound for Kobe Andrade (Sr.).

Pinch-hitter Caden Matlon (Fr.) delivered the go-ahead RBI single into left field; Kade Fletcher (Jr.) had an opportunity to get the go-ahead run at the plate but was unable to make a good throw. Later in the frame, ACU added an insurance run to go up 6-4 on a passed ball that got behind catcher Cortlan Castle (Jr.).

Baylor Athletics

Baylor’s defense has been a major struggle at the start of the season. Just four of ACU’s six runs were earned.

“In the ninth inning, the passed ball ends up being a big deal,” Thompson said. “But you look back at a ballgame like this, the first inning counts just as much as the ninth inning counts. In the third, we walked them three times when the wind was blowing in 15 miles per hour, and they scored a couple of runs, and we didn’t get anything going on offense for the first five innings.”

Left-handed pitcher RJ Ruais (Fr.) started on the bump for the Bears Wednesday. Across 1.2 frames, Ruais struck out three and surrendered four hits and two runs – one of which was earned.

With the bases loaded and the Bears looking to strike back in the bottom of the second, shortstop Tyriq Kemp (Jr.) grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning and halt Baylor’s momentum.

In the third, Abilene Christian extended its lead to 4-0 with a two-spot off veteran reliever Andrew Petrowski (RJr.). In the middle innings, Drew Leach (RJr.) and lefty Mason Green (Fr.) combined for four scoreless frames and six strikeouts.

The Bears finally got on the board in the sixth when first baseman Mason Greer (Sr.) crushed a double over the ACU right fielder’s head; a misplay throwing the ball in and a wild pitch in the following at-bat allowed Greer to score. Later in the inning, Castle delivered an RBI single into right field to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 4-2.

With runners on second and third with no outs in the seventh, Teplanszky (Jr.) struck out. Right fielder Enzo Apodaca (RJr.) followed with an RBI sacrifice fly, but Greer grounded out to third base and was unable to pick up the game-tying base knock.

Final: Abilene Christian 6 - Baylor 4

W: Cade McGarrh (2-0) L: Kobe Andrade (0-2)

POTG: Cortlan Castle (3-for-4; RBI)

WHAT’S NEXT

The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (4-4) will make the trip to Waco for a weekend series against Baylor baseball (1-7). First pitch for Friday’s opener is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.