Little Doubles Twice, Davenport Dominates as Baylor Takes Care of Loyola Marymount, 6-3

WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball (11-3) extended its winning streak to three games with a 6-3 victory over Loyola Marymount (8-7) on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon at Baylor Ballpark, marking BU’s third series victory of the season.

Second baseman Jack Little (RSo.) led the Bears with two extra-base hits and a team-high three RBIs; Little broke the game open in the seventh inning with a two-run double. Baylor was out-hit, 10-to-7, but drew a season-high 13 walks, and all six runs came with two outs.

Right-handed pitcher Lucas Davenport (RSo.) threw 3.2 frames out of the bullpen and struck out four on 48 pitches; he allowed just two base runners, with one coming around to score.

“It was a tough day. We had opportunity, opportunity, opportunity. They gave us 13 walks. We loaded the bases four times, so we needed one big hit, but they were tough to come by today,” head coach Mitch Thompson said post-game. “We found a way to win 6-3, and I’ll take it.”

Baylor’s offense had a sluggish start and didn’t take full advantage of LMU’s starting pitcher, Michael Nunez (Sr.), who struggled with command and handed out seven walks across 2.2 frames before getting pulled.

Baylor got on the board with an RBI double from Little in the second inning and tied the game in the third inning when catcher Cortlan Castle (Sr.) drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Bears had the bases loaded twice across the first three innings and came away with only one run. Baylor finished the contest, leaving 14 runners on base.

“I think it’s about finding different ways to win games,” Davenport said. “Pitching is keeping us in a lot of games, which is very different from last year. Some days, our bats won’t be there. Some days, our arms will be there. It’s a back and forth — it’s a team game.”

Lefty Bryson Bales (6Sr.) didn’t have his best stuff on Saturday and couldn’t make it past the fourth inning. Bales surrendered two earned runs and seven hits on 83 pitches, 45 of which were strikes.

Baylor regained the lead in the fourth inning when designated hitter Hunter Simmons (Sr.) scorched an RBI single up the middle that knocked the cap off right-handed pitcher Zach Mack (Jr.). Simmons is 4-for-8 at the plate this weekend and leads the team in batting average (.412).

The Bears sealed the victory with a three-spot in the seventh inning, highlighted by Little’s two-run double to center field and an RBI single from right fielder Enzo Apodaca (RSr.).

Veteran righty Gabe Craig (RSr.) shut the door with a four-out save, earning his third save of the season. Craig struck out the side in the ninth inning.

“Great to see Gabe Craig coming out and being really sharp at the end,” Thompson said. “I think he was throwing some real stuff out there.”
 

Final: Baylor 6, Loyola Marymount 3

W: Lucas Davenport (2-0) L: Zach Mack (0-1) S: Gabe Craig (3)

POTG: Jack Little (2-for-5, R, 3 RBI, 2 2B)

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears (11-3) will finish its series against Loyola Marymount (8-7) at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, at Baylor Ballpark. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.