Baylor Baseball

WATCH: Langeliers homers to finish off #11 UCLA, Bears even series

February 25, 2018
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LOS ANGELES – Baylor baseball evened the series with an 8-6 comeback win over No. 11 UCLA on Saturday afternoon at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The Bears (3-2) scored four runs in the final three innings, including a go-ahead two-run home run by Shea Langeliers, to top the Bruins (5-1).

The game started off great for BU as Davis Wendzel hit a two-run, two-out homer in the first inning, scoring Shea Langeliers after a two-out single. However, UCLA countered immediately with three runs in the first on two hits and two walks.

UCLA increased its lead to 4-2 in the second on a single, error, walk and sacrifice fly. But the Bears responded in the third. T.J. Raguse led off with a walk and Langeliers walked with one out to set up a two-out, two-run double by Andy Thomas to tie the game, 4-4.

The Bruins broke the tie in the fifth on two walks, a single and sac fly with a throwing error that allowed two runs to score.

Trailing 6-4, the Bears started the comeback in the seventh. Tucker Cascadden walked with one out and Josh Bissonette singled with two outs. Langeliers then dropped a single into right field to cut the deficit to one run.

The game pivoted in the eighth as both sides had chances. Cole Haring launched a solo shot over the left field wall to tie the game with one out for BU. UCLA had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom half, but BU reliever Ryan Leckich struck out pinch-hitter Jake Pries and reliever Drew Robertson induced a lineout to left by Chase Strumpf.

Baylor carried the momentum into the ninth as Bissonette walked with one out. After a pitching change, Langeliers blasted a shot way high and over the left field fence for an 8-6 lead that held up.

Robertson (1-0) earned the win in relief, retiring the only batter he faced. Troy Montemayor locked down the ninth for his third save, retiring all three batters with back-to-back strikeouts to end the game. UCLA reliever Kyle Mora (0-1) took the loss, allowing a run on one hit and one walk in one inning.

NOTES

*Baylor is 13-19 against ranked opponents under third-year head coach Steve Rodriguez (1-1 in 2018, 7-10 in 2017, 5-8 in 2016) and is 3-5 in three-game series against ranked foes. BU's last win over a ranked opponent was April 22, 2017 at No. 6 TCU (16-5) and last series win over a ranked opponent was vs. No. 23 Houston on March 10-12, 2017.

*Baylor is 11-14 under Rodriguez against Baseball America ranked opponents (1-1 in 2018, 7-9 in 2017, 3-4 in 2016) and is 2-4 in three-game series against ranked foes. BU's last win over a Baseball America ranked opponent was April 22, 2017 at No. 6 TCU (16-5) and last series win over a Baseball America ranked opponent was vs. No. 23 Houston on March 10-12, 2017.

*Baylor is 205-302-1 all-time against Baseball America ranked opponents, 25-33-1 in February, 61-152 on the road and 173-255-1 in regular season play.

*Baylor has 25 multi-home run games under Steve Rodriguez (nine in 2016, 14 in 2017, two in 2018).

*Baylor has hit 91 home runs in 115 games under Rodriguez. BU hit 51 in 2017 for its most homers since 2010 (57). BU has six in 2018.

*Troy Montemayor gathered his 29th career save, and third of the season, to pull within 10 of topping Baylor’s career leader Zane Carlson (37, 2000-04). He converted his first eight career save attempts in 2016, and after blowing his ninth try, converted 12 straight before blowing his 22nd attempt. He has converted 20 of his last 21 save tries and nine straight. He is 29-for-31 in career save attempts.

*Shea Langeliers had three hits and three RBI for his second multi-hit game of the season and second multi-RBI game. He notched his second homer of the season and 12th of his career.

*Davis Wendzel has an eight-game on-base streak, dating back to last season, and a four-game hitting streak. He hit his second home run of the season and 10th of his career.

*Cole Haring hit his first home run as a Baylor Bear.

*Andy Thomas has at least one hit in all five games this season.

*T.J. Raguse has a three-game on-base streak.

*Tucker Cascadden tied a career high with two walks.

STAT OF THE GAME

3 – The amount home runs Baylor hit and amount of consecutive innings BU scored in to end the game.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

“Effort and intent is what I talked about to our guys last night. The effort and energy in the dugout the past two games have been really good. For me, it’s about making sure we are competing the right way and doing the right things. I’m very proud of how the guys came back and performed today.” – Baylor Head Coach Steve Rodriguez

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears and Bruins finish their series with a 3 p.m. CT Sunday rubber match at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

 
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