Calder Tosses Gem as Baylor Shuts Out Gonzaga in Series Opener, 4-0

WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball (5-0) opened its series against Gonzaga (1-3) with a 4-0 shutout victory on a frigid Friday afternoon with temperatures in the mid-30s at Baylor Ballpark.

After a 13-strikeout performance on Opening Day against Youngstown State, left-handed pitcher Ethan Calder (Jr.) followed that up with another dominant outing against Gonzaga. In his second start of the season, Calder secured the win, fanned two batters and allowed just four hits across seven scoreless frames.

Right fielder Enzo Apodaca (RSr.), who transferred to Baylor from Gonzaga following the 2023 season, led the Bears’ offense in Friday’s win with a hit and an RBI.

Baylor Athletics - Jack Compton

It’s the first time since April 2021 that the Bears have tossed back-to-back shutouts.

The shutout win is the third of the Mitch Thompson era and the second shutout within the last week; Baylor beat UTSA 5-0 on Tuesday. It was the first time since April 2021 that the Bears had back-to-back shutouts and the first game this season that Baylor didn’t issue a single walk.

“We got our butts kicked in the fall by [the pitching staff], and I’m glad it’s showing now,” first baseman Gavin Brzozowski (RSo.) said post-game. “It’s so much fun to watch and play behind. With no walks today — whenever that’s happening — you’re rolling on defense, and it makes the game so much easier.”

In his second career start, third baseman Pearson Riebock (Fr.) poked an RBI single up the middle to put the Bears on the board in the second inning, 1-0. Riebock finished the afternoon 1-for-1 at the plate with an RBI and drew a walk.

Gonzaga’s starting pitcher, Gabe Brabec (So.), made his Division 1 debut on Friday and had Baylor’s batting order off-balance all afternoon. Brabec allowed one earned run and struck out seven across five frames.

“You have to give their guy credit. If you look at his junior college numbers, they are off the charts,” Thompson said. “We couldn’t get a whole lot of information on him beforehand, but we knew there was something funky about him, and there was. He knows how to pitch. … Not a great day to hit, but we battled through it.”

The Bears were in business in the fifth inning and had an opportunity to extend their lead but could not take advantage. With multiple runners in scoring position, second baseman Jack Little (RSo.) popped up to shortstop, and left fielder Wesley Jordan (Sr.) grounded out to third base.

Jordan owned a 38-game on-base streak dating back to last season, but it was broken in Friday’s series opener following an 0-for-4 performance. Jordan’s streak was the second-longest by a Bear in the StatCrew Era (2003), trailing only David Murphy’s record of 42 straight.

In the seventh inning, Calder ran into trouble when Gonzaga had runners on first and second base with one out. Instead of allowing the game to be tied at one apiece, Riebock made a pair of defensive gems at third base to keep the Bulldogs at bay.

“He’s not afraid to play; it’s been fun to watch him,” Thompson said of Riebock. “In his two games, he’s had three hits. Those two plays on defense at the end of the game were pretty special plays. Those are plays that, if you have any fear, it shows itself, and he handled it great. I was really proud of him for that.”

Baylor added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning when shortstop Tyriq Kemp (Sr.) blooped a double down the right-field line, and Apodaca lined a sacrifice fly to center field.

Left-handed pitcher Stefan Stahl (Jr.) slammed the door shut and earned his first career save with two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.


 

Final: Baylor 4, Gonzaga 0

W: Ethan Calder (2-0) L: Gabe Brabec (0-1) S: Stefan Stahl (1)

POTG: Ethan Calder (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 25 BF, 82 TP, 57 ST)

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears (5-0) will continue its series against Gonzaga (1-3) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark and will be streamed on ESPN+.