Bullpen Comes Up Big as Bears Clinch Series with 5-4 Victory over UCF

ORLANDO, Florida – Baylor baseball (33-20, 13-16) clinched its third series win of conference play with a 5-4 victory over UCF (28-26, 8-21) on Friday evening at John Euliano Park.

Relievers Caleb Bunch (Sr.) and Grayson Murry (Jr.) were dominant for the Bears, combining to allow just three hits and one earned run across 5.1 frames out of the bullpen while punching out three. Baylor’s pitching staff didn’t issue a single walk in the win.

The Bears were boosted by a four-run sixth inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Wesley Jordan (Sr.) and a two-run homer from Pearson Riebock (Fr.). Jordan and Riebock combined for four of Baylor’s 10 hits and three RBIs.

“Lots of good stuff happened in that inning,” head coach Mitch Thompson told the Baylor Sports Media Network post-game. “Big innings win games, and he who has the bullpen does too. I love what we got out of our bullpen. Bunchy was great. Murry was fantastic. Really nice job to finish that one off and get a big W.”

In the second inning, UCF shortstop Antonio Jimenez (So.) hit what appeared to be a routine foul out to first base, but Jack Little (RSo.) couldn’t come up with the catch. On the next pitch, Jimenez took left-handed pitcher Ethan Calder (Jr.) deep with a solo shot over the left field wall.

The Knights padded their lead to 3-0 with runs in the third and fourth innings. Calder exited after 3.2 frames; he allowed five hits and three runs (two earned) on 57 pitches. In relief of Calder, Bunch kept the Knights at bay in the middle innings.

After five shutout innings to start the contest, shortstop Tyriq Kemp (Sr.) led off the sixth with a line drive single into right field. Jordan got the Bears on the board with an RBI double off the wall in center field, followed by a game-tying two-run homer from Riebock — his second of the season.

Later in the frame, Baylor took advantage of a pair of UCF errors and captured the lead when catcher JJ Kennett (So.) put down a push-bunt to score Will Pendergrass (RSr.) from third base.

The Bears added an insurance run in the eighth inning after second baseman Travis Sanders (RSo.) drew a bases-loaded walk. With the bases still juiced, Kemp grounded out to second base to end the frame.

Baylor had opportunities to break the game open, but never could, going 3-for-19 with runners on and 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

UCF had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth, but Murry was able to get the Bears out of the jam and tossed a clean ninth to record his second save of the season.

Final: Baylor 5, UCF 4

W: Caleb Bunch (2-0) L: Kevin Schoneboom (1-2) S: Grayson Murry (2)

POTG: Caleb Bunch (3.2 IP, 2 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 14 BF, 39 TP, 29 ST)

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears (33-20, 13-16) will finish their series against UCF (28-26, 8-21) at 11 a.m. on Saturday at John Euliano Park. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.