Bears Can’t Complete Sweep, Fall 11-6 in Series Finale to No. 23 Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. – Baylor baseball (19-8, 4-5) couldn’t complete its sweep and fell 11-6 in the series finale against No. 23 Arizona (20-7, 6-3) on Sunday afternoon at Hi Corbett Field.

After back-to-back solid showings from the Bears’ pitching staff, lefty Carson Bailey (Fr.) didn’t make it out of the first inning on Sunday, allowing five hits and eight earned runs. 

Right-handed pitcher Cole Stasio (RSr.) also struggled, surrendering three more runs before recording the final out in the first inning. Stasio settled down afterward, allowing just one run over the following three frames, but the damage was done and Baylor trailed 10-0 after the first inning.

The Bears’ batting order had 13 base knocks compared to Arizona’s 15, but left 12 runners on base and struggled to hit with runners in scoring position, going 3-for-20. 

The bottom of Baylor’s lineup — Travis Sanders (RSo.), Tyriq Kemp (Sr.) and JJ Kennett (So.) — combined to go 8-for-13 at the plate while collecting four RBIs and scoring four runs.

“When you get behind 10-0, it’s obviously tough sledding,” head coach Mitch Thompson told ESPN Central Texas post-game. “They came out swinging the bats and put it to us. From that point on, the guys competed. They battled hard, and the bullpen gave us a chance to get back into the game. Our offense tried to get back into the game, but we couldn’t get the big hit at the right time.”

The Bears chipped away at Arizona’s 10-run lead, adding six runs across the second, fourth and fifth innings. Kemp, Kennett and first baseman Jack Little (RSo.) recorded RBI base knocks in that span. Kemp finished the weekend 7-for-13 with a career-high four hits coming on Sunday.

“[Kemp] played really well; he swung the bat good today, had the four knocks and flawless defense all weekend,” Thompson said. “It was really good to see. I’m proud of his continual growth.”

Baylor had chances in the fifth and seventh innings to add even more runs, but the top of the batting order came up empty-handed. Enzo Apodaca (RSr.), Wesley Jordan (Sr.) and Hunter Simmons (RSr.) combined to go 1-for-12 at the plate with one RBI.

“We probably had three or four different opportunities throughout the game with multiple runners on base,” Thompson said. “If we could pop one, who knows what could happen, but give them credit. They came out and got after us.”

Relievers Caleb Jameson (RSo)  and Patrick Hail (6Sr.) combined for three scoreless frames out of the bullpen. 

Final: No. 23 Arizona 11, Baylor 6

W: Julian Tonghini (3-0) L: Carson Bailey (2-1)

POTG: Tyriq Kemp (4-5, R, RBI, 2B, SB)

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears (19-8) will return to Waco and open a five-game homestand against Houston Christian (16-8) on Tuesday, April 1, at 6:30 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.