WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball (11-9) was run-ruled for the second time in three games, falling 13-3 in seven innings to Kansas State (16-5) in a non-conference, midweek matchup on Tuesday night at Baylor Ballpark.
The Wildcats narrowly out-hit the Bears in the contest, 9-to-7, but seven of their hits went for extra bases, four of which were home runs. Baylor’s pitching staff also handed out six free passes in the defeat, and 12 of Kansas State’s 13 runs came with two outs.
“Virtually every game that we walked ended up scoring, and they swung the bats extremely well,” head coach Mitch Thompson told the Baylor Sports and Media Network post-game.
He later added, “They were squaring balls up and driving the heck out of the ball. We’re going to have to pitch better — there’s no question about that — and swing the bats better and get more runs in.”
Second baseman Robert De La Garza (Jr.) and right fielder Brady Janusek (Fr.) both recorded multi-hit contests and combined for five base knocks. Righty Grayson Murry (Sr.) was the lone Baylor pitcher to not allow a run, as he tossed two scoreless frames out of the bullpen.
“I’m really proud of Rob; he’s taken his opportunity and has continued to go out there and perform and swing the bat with aggressiveness,” Thompson said. “I thought he had three really good at-bats, and Grayson Murry had two good innings on the mound himself.”
Right-handed pitcher Cayden Baker (RFr.) made the third start of his young career and worked around a leadoff double to get the Bears through the first inning without any damage incurred.
In the second, however, Baker surrendered two long balls to outfielders Carlos Vasquez (RSr.) and Cadyn Karl (RJr.), giving Kansas State an early 3-0 lead. Vasquez and Karl finished the contest a combined 5-for-6 at the plate with nine RBIs.
De La Garza led off the bottom of the frame with a ground-rule double to left field, and catcher JJ Kennett (Jr.) later plated him on an RBI groundout to get the Bears on the board, 3-1.
After Baker recorded two more outs, right-handed pitcher Brayden Bergman (RFr.) replaced him out of the bullpen and handed out back-to-back free passes before surrendering a three-run homer to Vasquez.
The Bears started to get some momentum back in the bottom of the fifth when Janusek came through with a two-out, two-run double down the left field line to trim Kansas State’s lead to 6-3; center fielder Ty Johnson (5Sr.) was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
In the seventh inning, Kansas State broke the game open with a seven-spot, all of which came with two outs. After right-handed pitcher Charlie Atkinson (Jr.) loaded the bases, Luke DeVasher (Jr.) entered in his place and allowed a five-pitch walk, a three-run double and a two-run homer.
Final (7 Innings): Kansas State 13, Baylor 3
W: Matt Flores (1-0) L: Cayden Baker (1-1) S: Aaron Arnold (1)
What’s Next
The Bears (11-9, 1-2) will travel to Stillwater to continue conference play against Oklahoma State (12-7, 0-3). The first game of the series is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, March 20, at O’Brate Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
