Baylor Baseball Blows Out Texas Tech 12-2

WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball notched a 12-2 win over No. 8 Texas Tech to secure the teams’ Big 12 opening series on Saturday afternoon at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears (10-6, 2-0) used 11 hits to score a season-high 12 runs to overwhelm the Red Raiders (16-5, 0-2).

Trailing 1-0 after the third inning, Baylor tied the game in the fifth. Davion Downey singled with one out, and after a wild pitch, scored on a two-out double by Davis Wendzel.

The game changed in the sixth as TTU had the bases loaded with two outs but reliever Kyle Hill induced a foul out to end the threat. BU then scored four runs in the sixth and seven in the seventh to take a commanding lead.

In the sixth, Josh Bissonette singled with one out, Tucker Cascadden reached on an error and a balk moved both runners into scoring position for Cole Haring, who hit into a fielder’s choice but the throw home was off line. With two outs, Shea Langeliers walked to load the bases, and the Bears followed with an RBI HBP by Wendzel and two-run single by Andy Thomas.

Baylor started the seventh with a Richard Cunningham HBP and Bissonette single. Then a fielder’s choice throw to third was late on Cascadden’s sacrifice bunt to load the bases. With one out, Downey was hit by a pitch to force in a run. After a 1:57 lightning/rain delay, Langeliers opened the flood gates with a two-run single. Wendzel walked to re-load the bases for Thomas, who singled in a run. Nick Loftin drove in a run on a grounder to third. Cunningham and Bissonette followed with RBI singles to push the Bears lead to 12-1.

Texas Tech rallied for a run in the eighth but was unable to do more damage.

Hill (2-0) earned the win in relief, allowing two walks in 1.1 hitless, scoreless innings. TTU reliever Caleb Kilian (1-1) took the loss, giving up four unearned runs on two hits and a walk with one strikeout in 0.2 innings.

“I think everyone knows it starts with pitching. Just being able to minimize that third inning to one run was a really big deal [for Hayden Kettler]. He did a phenomenal job there for us. I’m really happy for his competitive nature and what he brought to our team today. We were able to get some runs for him and then be able to bring in the bullpen and let them do their job. I’m very happy with the 2-0 start, so we just need to make sure we worry about ourselves. We make sure we play good baseball and execute the way we have been offensively and continue to pitch like that. I like our chances against anybody.” – Baylor Head Coach Steve Rodriguez

The Bears will go for the sweep against Texas Tech Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark.