Bears Collapse Down the Stretch of Series Opener, Fall 9-2 to Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas – Baylor baseball (21-12, 5-8) blew a late lead and dropped its series opener, 9-2, to Texas Tech (10-19, 6-7) on Friday evening at Rip Griffin Park.

Left-handed pitcher Ethan Calder (Jr.) tossed a gem but got the no-decision after the Bears surrendered a four-spot in the eighth inning following multiple errors from third baseman Pearson Riebock (Fr.). The Red Raiders broke the game open in the eighth inning with another four-spot.

Meanwhile, the offense continued to struggle mightily with runners on. Despite totaling eight base knocks, Baylor went 3-for-14 with runners on and 2-for-12 runners in scoring position in the defeat. The Bears were 4-for-14 in advancement opportunities while Texas Tech was 17-for-25 and collected 13 hits, with seven of those coming in the final two innings.

“The game got away from us and defense hurt us a little bit,” head coach Mitch Thompson told ESPN Central Texas post-game. “We didn’t pitch well out of the bullpen tonight. The bad thing about it for us is that we wasted a really good outing from Ethan Calder. We’re all sick about how this one finished up.”

Designated hitter Hunter Simmons (RSr.) and Riebock collected back-to-back singles to open the second inning. Second baseman Travis Sanders (RSo.) and center fielder Ty Johnson (Sr.) plated both runs with run-scoring base knocks.

With runners on the corners and no outs, the Bears were unable to add another run. After opening the game 2-for-2 with runners in scoring position, Baylor went 0-for-10 across the rest of the game and had four hits over the final seven frames.

The Baylor bats went quiet in the middle innings, but first baseman Jack Little (RSo.) collected his first hit in five games with a double down the left field line. With Little on second base and no outs, Texas Tech starting pitcher Mac Heuer (So.) struck out the side.

Following a quality outing last weekend against Houston, Calder delivered another gem, striking out three and allowing just one earned across six innings pitched on 89 pitches.

“He threw the ball better and continued to compete,” Thompson said. “He made pitch after pitch and got through the lineup three times. You can’t ask for any more than that.”

Right-handed pitcher Will Glatch (Sr.) entered in relief of Calder in the seventh inning with Baylor holding a 2-1 late lead. Second baseman Tracer Lopez (Jr.) led off the inning and popped up a ball in foul territory, but Riebock couldn’t come up with the catch; two pitches later, Lopez lined a single into center field.

On the following at-bat, Riebock couldn’t haul in a routine grounder, putting runners on first and second base with no outs. After two walks, a hit and another error, Texas Tech took a 5-2 lead heading into the eighth inning — only one run Glatch surrendered was earned.

The Red Raiders added four more runs in the eighth inning off right-handed pitcher Andrew Petrowski (RSr.).

Final: Texas Tech 9, Baylor 2

W: Jack Cebert (3-2) L: Will Glatch (3-2)

POTG: Ethan Calder (6 IP, 6 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 27 BF, 89 P, 58 ST)

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears (21-12, 5-8) will continue their series against Texas Tech (10-19, 6-7) on Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m. at Rip Griffin Park. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.