Simmons, Kemp Have Multi-Hit Games as Bears Win 6th Straight and Beat Gonzaga, 5-2
WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball (6-0) continued its early season tear with a 5-2 defeat of Gonzaga (1-4) on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Baylor Ballpark.
Designated hitter Hunter Simmons (RSr.) and shortstop Tyriq Kemp (Sr.) had multi-hit performances and combined for two RBIs and four of the Bears’ eight total base knocks.
Baylor’s pitching staff’s 23-inning scoreless streak ended in the fourth inning of Saturday’s victory, but the Bears fanned eight batters and managed to limit Gonzaga to five hits and two runs. The six-game winning streak to start the season is the longest of head coach Mitch Thompson’s tenure.
“You’re seeing that we can win games in different ways, and we’re beating different styles of pitching,” Thompson said. “We’re going out there and doing our thing. I love that we made defensive plays today and that our bullpen was really good.”
Baylor added three runs in the third inning, following RBI base knocks from right fielder Enzo Apodaca (RSr.) and Simmons. Later in the frame, second baseman Travis Sanders (RSo.) picked up his first RBI of the season on a sacrifice fly.
Hendrix College transfer left-handed pitcher Bryson Bales (6Sr.) made his second start for the Green and Gold, allowed two earned runs and struck out five across four innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Bears extended their lead, 4-2, on an RBI double from Kemp to left-center field. Through six games this season, Kemp has a team-high five doubles and is batting .500 across 20 at-bats. The Netherlands native is tied with Jack Little (RSo.) for the most multi-hit games on the team with five.
“It’s huge if you can look at your nine-hole and say that he’s batting .500,” Simmons said of Kemp. “Tyriq is a sparkplug on and off the field. Seeing him have some success really gets everybody going.”
In relief of Bales, Blinn College transfer righty Lucas Davenport (RSo.) earned the win and tossed four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Davenport struck out three and allowed just one base runner; 39 of his 54 pitches were for strikes.
“It feels great knowing that anything you throw, you can throw for a strike, and it can get a weak ground ball, and that the guys behind you will get it,” Davenport said post-game.
Right-handed pitcher Gabe Craig (RSr.) shut the door and collected his first save of the season.
Final: Baylor 5, Gonzaga 2
W: Lucas Davenport (1-0) L: Miles Gosztola (0-2) S: Gabe Craig (1)
POTG: Lucas Davenport (4 IP, H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 13 BF, 54 TP, 39 ST)
WHAT’S NEXT
The Bears (6-0) will finish its series against Gonzaga (1-4) on Sunday, Feb. 23, at noon at Baylor Ballpark and will be streamed on ESPN+.