Bears defeat Cal Poly behind strong pitching performance

WACO, Texas – Behind seven-shutout innings from Paul Dickens, the Bears defeated visiting Cal Poly in game one of a three-game series on Friday evening at Baylor Ballpark.

In his first Friday start of the season, and just second weekend start of his career, Dickens had a career day, throwing a career-high 7.0 innings and allowing just one hit while walking two and striking out five en route to his second victory of the season for the Bears (12-4).

Dickens was picked up by Luke Boyd, who struck out the side and stranded one Mustang (6-10) in the eighth before closer Kyle Hill shut things down with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his third save of the year.

At the plate, the Bears were led by Shea Langeliers, who drove in two of the Bears’ three runs on the day. Andy Thomas brought home the only other run of the day for either side.

The Bears got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, touching up Mustang starter Jarred Zill for two runs on two hits. Richard Cunningham led off the inning with a walk and after two fly outs the Bears started a rally. Langeliers first came through with an RBI double to put the Bears up 1-0 and Thomas followed with an RBI double of his own to make it a 2-0 game.

The Bears added one more in the bottom of the eighth inning as Langeliers brought home Davis Wendzel and reached on a fielding error by the shortstop.

Zill took the loss for Cal Poly, falling to 0-4 on the year. 

NOTES

* The Bears shut out an opponent for the first time this season.

*Paul Dickens threw a career-best seven shutout innings in the victory. His one hit was the least he has allowed in a start. 

*Dickens is now 1-1 in three starts on the year.  

*Hill earned his third save of the season, fourth of his career.

*Hill had two strikeouts on the night, now has 115 career strikeouts in relief and is in sole possession of seventh place on the Baylor career strikeouts in relief category.

*Hill and Boyd each made their eighth appearances of the year.

*Langeliers extended his on-base streak to 19 games, going back to the 2018 season.

*Davis Wendzel extended his current team-high hitting streak to six games.

*Wendzel has now hit safely in 15 of 16 games on the year.

*The Bears have had at least one extra base hit in 15 of 16 games this year.

*Langeliers had 2 RBI on the day, his first multi-RBI day of the year.

*Langeliers’ one hit on the day was a double, his first extra base hit of the year.

*Andy Thomas had 1 RBI on the day, off his fourth double of the year.

*The three hits on the day are the least amount of hits the Bears have produced in a win this season.

I*The Bears held Cal Poly to just two hits, the lowest number of hits the Bears have held an opponent to all year.

*The Bears struck out 10 batters on the day and have now amassed double-digit strikeout totals in 13 of 16 games.

STAT OF THE DAY
2 – The number of hits the Bears held Cal Poly to, the lowest number of hits allowed so far this season.     

QUOTES OF THE DAY
On Dickens’ performance on the mound…
“He looked really good tonight. He threw the fastball in and out and did a great job with his breaking balls. He got himself into a little bit of trouble early, just with some hit-by-pitches and walks, but he was able to force some ground balls and let our defense play for him. I was just really happy with how he continued to compete and keep the pitch count low and we were able to push him up to 100 pitches which was good.”

- Baylor head coach Steve Rodriguez

WHAT'S NEXT
The Bears continue their series with Cal Poly as game two is set for Saturday, March 16 at 3:05 p.m. It is Salute to Heroes Day and all members of the military and first responders will get in free to the game with a valid ID.