Baylor Salvages Series with Largest Comeback of Thompson Era, Beats KU in Thriller, 9-7
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Baylor baseball (14-5, 1-2) salvaged its three-game weekend set with a thrilling 9-7 comeback win over Kansas (17-3, 2-1) in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Hoglund Ballpark.
Trailing by five runs after three innings, the Bears were able to chip away at the Jayhawk's lead throughout the contest until back-to-back run-scoring singles from Hunter Simmons (RSr.) and Pearson Riebock (Fr.) in the eighth inning helped propel Baylor to the largest comeback victory of head coach Mitch Thompson’s three-year tenure.
Veteran right-handed relievers Will Glatch (Sr.) and Gabe Craig combined for 3.1 scoreless frames and six strikeouts out of the bullpen. Glatch earned his first win of the season, while Craig shut the door in the ninth inning, fanning three Jayhawks and collecting his fourth save.
“I’m proud as heck of them,” Thompson said of his ballclub to ESPN Central Texas post-game. “The fight, the guts and the courage to stand in here against a really good team, who’s really hot, and on the road after they whipped you in the first two games. To come out here with a W is huge. It’s a testament to who they are as people and to their character. I’m very proud of them.”
For the first time on the weekend, Baylor out-hit Kansas, 12-to-6, and was led by Simmons, second baseman Travis Sanders (RSo.) and shortstop Tyriq Kemp (Sr.), who all earned multi-hit performances. Kemp also swiped two bags and made a handful of stellar defensive plays.
“It was fun,” Kemp said of his all-around game to ESPN Central Texas. “I was just trying to help the team win and do my best, play hard and keep having fun with the guys.”
Left-handed pitcher Carson Bailey (Fr.) made his second weekend start of the season and tossed two zeroes to start the contest before running into trouble against the red-hot Kansas lineup in the third inning.
With two outs and runners on second and third base, Bailey walked back-to-back batters and missed over the heart of the plate to left fielder Brady Counsell (Sr.), who made Bailey pay and sent a grand slam over the left-center field wall to give the Jayhawks an early 5-0 lead.
Bailey allowed another solo shot before getting pulled after 4.1 frames, in which he struck out three but allowed six earned runs, five hits and three walks on 77 pitches.
“Carson gave us a really nice outing; it was one pitch that scored four runs,” Thompson said. “Other than that, it was a tremendous outing, especially for a freshman on a Sunday. That’s a big step for us. That’s a huge thing.”
Trailing 5-0, the Bears got on the board in the fourth inning following an RBI single from catcher Cortlan Castle (Sr.) and an RBI ground out from Kemp. Baylor had a chance to add more runs, but Enzo Apodaca (RSr.) was robbed of a two-run extra-base hit after a full-extension diving grab from Kansas first baseman Brady Ballinger (So.).
Baylor took its first lead of the afternoon in the fifth inning when the Bears hung a five-spot that was highlighted by RBI doubles from Sanders and Kemp. Across his last five starts, Sanders is 10-for-16 at the plate.
In the seventh inning, Kansas tied the game at seven apiece on an RBI double from third baseman Michael Brooks (Sr.) off right-handed reliever Grayson Murry (Jr.). It was the lone hit Murry allowed across 1.1 frames.
Following back-to-back run-scoring singles in the eighth inning, Baylor had its chance to break the game open, but Ty Johnson (Sr.) was robbed of his second extra-base hit of the afternoon after Kansas center fielder Derek Cerda (Jr.) made an acrobatic leaping grab.
Final: Baylor 9, Kansas 7
W: Will Glatch (1-0) L: Eric Lin (1-1) S: Gabe Craig (4)
POTG: Tyriq Kemp (2-4, 3 RBI, R, 2B, BB, 2 SB)
WHAT’S NEXT
The Bears (14-5) will head back to the Lone Star State but travel to San Marcos to take on Texas State (8-10) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, at Bobcat Ballpark. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.