Baylor Remains Winless in Conference Play, Drops Series Opener to No. 24 Texas Tech, 2-0

WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball (5-12, 0-4) dropped its Big 12 home opener to No. 24 Texas Tech (14-4, 2-2), 2-0, Friday night at Baylor Ballpark.

Despite a 17-run, 17-hit performance against Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday, the Bears were shut out for the second time in conference play. Texas Tech’s starter, Kyle Robinson (Jr.), made quick work of Baylor’s batting order on Friday night, tossing seven shut-out innings, striking out eight and surrendering just three hits.

“It was a Friday night game in the Big 12,” head coach Mitch Thompson said after the defeat. “It was a tough day to hit for both teams, and you’ve got good people on the mound getting after it. [Our pitchers] leaving [Texas Tech] to two runs gave us an opportunity to be in the game; just disappointed we couldn’t get a couple of runs across.”

Baylor Athletics

The Bears were 1-for-15 with runners on and didn’t put a runner on third base in the loss.

The Bears were 1-for-15 with runners on, picked up four base knocks and didn’t put a runner on third base in the loss.

“We’ve got to get tougher [offensively], so we can put a little more pressure [opposing pitchers],” Thompson said. “We did enough to pitch. We did enough on defense, but we have to figure out how to get this offense going.”

The Red Raiders got on the board after right-handed pitcher Mason Marriott (Jr.) issued four free passes in the first inning, including plunking third baseman Cade McGee (Jr.) with the bases loaded.

With a runner on first base in the fourth, Hunter Teplanszky (Jr.) made a diving stop at third base but second baseman Mason Greer (Sr.) fumbled the ball on the transfer and was unable to complete the twin killing. An at-bat later, catcher Dylan Maxcey (So.) lined a two-out RBI double off the left-center field wall to give Texas Tech a 2-0 lead.

Marriott’s evening was over after five innings. He struck out three and allowed two earned runs and five base knocks on 85 pitches.

Out of the bullpen, lefty Ethan Calder (So.) threw 3.1 scoreless frames on 28 pitches.

Final: No. 24 Texas Tech 2, Baylor 0

W: Kyle Robinson (3-0) L: Mason Marriott (0-3) S: Josh Sanders (1)

WHAT’S NEXT

Baylor baseball (5-12, 0-4) will continue its series against the No. 24 Red Raiders (14-4, 2-2) on Saturday at Baylor Ballpark. The first pitch is slated for 2 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.