Baylor Baseball Ends Conference Losing Streak, Splits Friday Doubleheader with UCF

WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball (22-30, 10-19) ended its 12-game conference losing streak after splitting its doubleheader with UCF (32-18, 13-15) Friday at Baylor Ballpark.

Despite a 6-4 loss in the first contest, the Bears redeemed themselves with a 4-2 victory in the second game thanks to an excellent outing from left-handed pitcher Ethan Calder (So.). In his third career start, Calder tossed a gem, striking out four and only allowing four hits and two earned runs across a career-long seven innings on the mound.

“It’s great to get a win,” head coach Mitch Thompson said postgame. “It’s been a struggle for several weeks. I thought we played pretty well today. We pitched pretty well throughout the entire day. We played pretty good defense. I don’t think we swung the bats particularly well, but even with what we did do, there were some differences.”

Game 1 of the Series

In what could be his final start in a Baylor uniform, right-handed pitcher Mason Marriott (Jr.) didn’t have his sharpest stuff on the mound. The potential late-round MLB Draft pick allowed the lead-off batter to reach base in five of seven frames.

He finished the contest by issuing five free passes and surrendering five earned runs and seven hits across six innings on 109 pitches. Despite an excellent first two months of the season, Marriott has allowed five or more runs in three of his last four outings.

Baylor Athletics

Baylor had its opportunities in the first game but went 1-for-12 with runners on and 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Baylor scraped across two runs in the third after a pair of defensive miscues from UCF. In the ballgame, the Bears picked up six hits but went 1-for-12 with runners on and 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Trailing 4-2 in the seventh, Marriott opened the frame with a walk and was pulled in favor of veteran righty Patrick Hail (RJr.). Hail surrendered four consecutive base knocks, allowing the Knights to extend their lead to 6-2. Hail has given up a combined 11 earned runs in his last three outings out of the bullpen.

After missing 10 consecutive games due to a concussion, left fielder Wesley Jordan (Jr.) made his much-anticipated return to the lineup on Friday and crushed a 438-foot two-run home run off the scoreboard in left-center field in the eighth. Jordan, who hasn’t played since April 26, leads the Bears in long balls (8) and slugging percentage (.627).

Final: UCF 6, Baylor 4

W: Ben Vespi (4-3) L: Mason Marriott (3-7) S: Kris Sosnowski (4)

POTG: Wesley Jordan (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R)

Game 2 of the Series

The Bears got on the board first when Cole Posey (Sr.) doubled into left field and came around to score on a UCF defensive miscue. Across the Friday doubleheader, the Knights racked up five total errors in comparison to Baylor’s zero.

Baylor Athletics

LHP Ethan Calder (So.) struck out four and only allowed four hits and two earned runs across a career-long seven innings on the mound.

After another crucial UCF defensive miscue extended the sixth, shortstop Tyriq Kemp (Jr.) entered the batter’s box with the bases loaded and two outs. Kemp then delivered a bases-clearing double into the left-center field gap to extend Baylor’s lead to 4-0.

The Netherlands native finished the evening with a 3-for-4 performance with two doubles and three RBIs.

The ever-reliable Calder started the game for the Bears and had one of his best performances of the year.

“His pitch ability is good,” Thompson said postgame. “His confidence and ability to slow the game down [are great]. Any time you are a left-hander and can run it up there 87-90 [miles per hour], locate your stuff and you have three pitches for strikes, you’re going to give people fits – Ethan’s our guy.”

UCF finally put a blemish on Calder’s stellar outing with a two-run homer from designated hitter Matt Cedarburg (Sr.) in the seventh. Out of the bullpen, veteran righty Andrew Petrowski (RJr.) closed out the contest with two scoreless frames.

“Every time going out there to start, you have to give some length and shorten the bullpen,” Calder said postgame. “It felt good to go deep into the game. … We wanted to spoil their season because they’re looking to go to a [NCAA] Regional.”

Final: Baylor 4, UCF 2

W: Ethan Calder (5-3) L: Dom Stagliano (3-4) S: Andrew Petrowski (1)

POTG: Ethan Calder (7 IP, 2 ER, 2 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 26 BF, 97 pitches)

WHAT’S NEXT

Baylor baseball (22-30, 10-19) will close out its season against UCF (32-18, 13-15) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark