Baylor drops season opener to visiting Nebraska
WACO, Texas – The Bears dropped the season opener to visiting Nebraska, 19-9, on Friday evening at Baylor Ballpark.
The Bears (0-1) tallied 9 runs on 13 hits, and outscored the Huskers (1-0) after the first inning, 9-8, but were unable to overcome an 11-run top of the first inning.
The Bears were led at the plate by Nick Loftin, who was 3-for-5 on the day with 2 RBI, followed by two-hit performances for Chase Whesener, Ricky Martinez and Jared McKenzie. Wehsener also launched the first home run of the year for the Bears.
The top of the first saw the Huskers score those 11 runs on 7 hits, taking advantage of three uncharacteristic Baylor errors and a wild pitch. Starter Jimmy Winston gave up nine runs, five of those earned on five hits and two walks in an uncharacteristic start for the ace. Reliever Jacob Ashkinos came in and mopped things up, but gave up three runs, only one of those earned on four hits over 4.0 innings of work.
The Bears got on the board in the bottom of the second inning as Davion Downey brought home the first run of the day on a groundout and Mack Mueller delivered the first extra base hit of the day, a run-scoring double. They continued to cut into the lead with an RBI double from Nick Loftin in the third inning.
The Bears also scored individual runs in the fifth and sixth, with the solo run in the sixth coming on a home run for Whesener. The sophomore took the first pitch he saw of the inning and deposited it over the left field wall for the first long ball of the year for the Bears.
Reliever Anderson Needham looked good for the Bears in two innings of the work and was followed by freshman Oliver Hambleton, sophomore Blake Helton and senior Logan Freeman, who each worked an inning apiece.
The Bears worked to cut into the lead, but a four-run seventh and three-run eighth took the game out of hand. The Bears answered the three runs in the eight with four of their own to make it a 19-9 ballgame.
Baylor starter Jimmy Winston took the loss, while Husker starter Gareth Stroh improved to 1-0 on the year.
NOTES
RHP Jacob Ashkinos tied his career high for innings pitched in relief with 4.0. Previously tossed 4.0 relief innings at Texas Tech in on April 20, 2019.
FR CF Jared McKenzie tallied his first career hit, a single through the left side of the infield.
SR OF Mack Mueller doubled to left to score one of the runs for the Bears.
Freshmen OF Jared McKenzie, RHP Hambleton Oliver, OF Nolan Rodriguez, INF Tre Richardson and INF Kyle Nevin made their collegiate debuts.
Junior INF Esteban Cardoza-Oquendo made his Baylor debut.
OF Jared McKenzie and INF Esteban Cardoza-Oquendo each made their first Baylor starts.
In his collegiate debut, Jared McKenzie had a 2-hit performance, drew a walk and drove in his first run.
Sophomore INF Ricky Martinez made his fifth career start and first on Opening Day.
Senior outfielder Mack Mueller made his 18th career start for the Bears.
First baseman Chase Whesener boasts a career fielding percentage of 1.000, has yet to make an error in 412 chances over 54 career games.
DH Ryan Bertelsman made his sixth career start.
SR OF Hunter Seay got his first hit of the season in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter, just his ninth career AB and his second career hit.
21 Bears made their season debut on opening day.
Baylor is now 63-35 all-time in season openers and this is just the second time in the last seven years they have lost the season opener.
Baylor is now 75-25 all-time in home openers and this is just the second time in the last nine years the Bears have lost their home opener.
STAT OF THE DAY
13 – The Bears tallied 13 hits on the day, just three less than Nebraska’s 16 hits.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
On players’ response to Nebraska’s early lead…
“First of all, one of the most bizarre first games I’ve ever seen in my life. One of the longest innings I’ve actually ever been a part of. It wasn’t pretty by any stretch. You have to tip your hat to Nebraska. They did a good job putting the ball in play. First game jitters for quite a few guys. There were some things that were, to be honest, inexcusable in regards to some of the mistakes we made. At the same time, I was really proud of how our guys just continued to hit, continued to throw some punches along the way. We just couldn’t stop them from scoring. Great opportunity for kids to come in. We kind of get some of the jitters out. Really excited about some of the things we did see from some of our freshmen. Anderson Needham came in and did a great job. Jared McKenzie shagged some balls out in the outfield and got a couple great hits. Chase Wehsener kind of coming through and doing what he does. Really excited for some things. When you look at the overall score, it’s not your typical Friday night. It’s usually 5-4 or 4-3, not 19-9. Like I told everybody out there, I’m going to look at some of the great things that happened and I’m going to forget about everything else.” - Baylor Head Coach Steve Rodriguez
WHAT'S NEXT
The Bears return to action on Saturday, Feb. 15 for game two of the series vs. Nebraska. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT at Baylor Ballpark and will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.