Baylor Collects First-Ranked Win of Season, Defeats No. 23 Arizona in Series Opener, 8-5

TUCSON, Ariz. – Baylor baseball (18-7, 3-4) earned its first ranked win of the season with an 8-5 victory over No. 23 Arizona (19-6, 5-2) in the series opener on Friday night at Hi Corbett Field.

Every player in the starting lineup for the Bears either scored a run or drove in a run. Designated hitter Hunter Simmons (RSr.) and shortstop Tyriq Kemp (Sr.) both had multi-hit performances, and catcher JJ Kennett (So.) had a two-run homer in the fourth inning.

Baylor finished the contest with 10 base knocks and was 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position, including the game-sealing RBI double from center fielder Ty Johnson (Sr.) in the ninth inning.

“Really, really good effort by everybody. Really good team win. Lots of things happened in that game that were outstanding,” head coach Mitch Thompson told ESPN Central Texas post-game. “We battled up and down the lineup, and even that last run is a two-out, get it done, and TyJo picks up another insurance run for us; that was a big one.”

After back-to-back rough outings on the mound, left-handed pitcher Ethan Calder (Jr.) had a bounce-back performance against the Wildcats, where he surrendered four earned runs and struck out four across 4.1 innings on 74 pitches.

Veteran righties Will Glatch (Sr.) and Caleb Bunch (Sr.) combined for three strikeouts and 3.2 quality innings out of the bullpen while closer Gabe Craig (RSr.) earned his fifth save of the season with a scoreless frame. Baylor handed Arizona its first home loss of the season.

“[Calder] battled his tail off to keep us in the game, and the bullpen was outstanding,” Thompson said. “If we could get into the game with the starter, we have the guys who can go to work with Glatch, Bunch and Craig at the end. All three of those guys were fantastic.”

Former Bear Collin McKinney (RSo.), who transferred to Arizona last offseason, started on the bump for the Wildcats. McKinney issued four walks and allowed a two-run single to Kemp before he was pulled after just 1.1 frames.

Arizona tied the game at two apiece in the third inning, partially because of some rough defense from Baylor. The outfielders struggled to see the baseball as the sun was setting in the Tucson sky, resulting in multiple hits for the Wildcats early in the ballgame.

The Bears regained the lead in the fourth inning on a two-run blast from Kennett and never relinquished it as second baseman Travis Sanders (RSo.) added an RBI single in the following frame.

In the sixth inning, Enzo Apodaca (RSr.) singled down the right field line, and Wesley Jordan (Sr.) plated him with an RBI double into the left-center field gap. Simmons scored Jordan with an RBI single through the left side.

Final: Baylor 8, No. 23 Arizona 5

W: Will Glatch (2-0) L: Casey Hintz (5-1) S: Gabe Craig (5)

POTG: Will Glatch (2.2 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 2 K, 11 BF, 36 TP, 24 ST)

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears (18-7, 3-4) will continue their road series against No. 23 Arizona (18-6, 5-2) at 8 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 29, at Hi Corbett Field. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.