April 23, 2005
Box Score
LINCOLN, Neb. - Mark McCormick struck out nine in 6.2 innings, and Ryan LaMotta struck out six to close the game as No. 8 Baylor defeated No. 11 Nebraska 4-1 Saturday at Haymarket Park. With the win, Baylor (27-15, 13-4) evens the series with Nebraska (33-8, 9-5). The Bears are off to their best 17-game start in Big 12 play since the 1999 team started 14-3.
McCormick (6-2) allowed one run on four hits and two walks with nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings. The strikeout total ties for the second-highest tally of McCormick's career; he had 10 strikeouts in 7.2 innings earlier this season against Texas. McCormick has not allowed more than two earned runs in eight consecutive starts.
LaMotta entered the game after a McCormick two-out walk in the top of the seventh. Jake Opitz singled to right and advanced to second on right fielder Kevin Sevigny's throw to third. However, LaMotta struck out Jesse Boyer to end the frame and the Husker threat. After a Joe Simokaitis single to start the eighth, LaMotta struck out the next three batters and retired the final six batters he faced to close the game and earn his fourth save of the season.
It marked the second time this season Baylor pitchers recorded 15 or more strikeouts in a game. The Bears fanned 16 batters Feb. 19, 2005, at home against Oral Roberts. Baylor pitchers have recorded double-digit strikeouts seven times this season; the Bears are 7-0 in such games.
Baylor got on the board with a pair of runs on two hits in the top of the fourth. Paul Witt got the scoring started with an RBI single through the left side, and Michael Griffin followed with a sacrifice fly down the line in right. The Bears added two runs in the fifth, both on bases loaded walks.
Nebraska got a run back in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to an Alex Gordon two-out RBI single through the left side.
Huskers' starter Zach Kroenke surrendered four runs on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Nebraska pitchers walked eight batters on the day.
Witt finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBI and walked twice. Kevin Russo also was 2-for-3 and scored twice, and Kyle Reynolds added a pair of singles. Baylor had chances to blow the game open but left 16 runners on base, including 11 in scoring position. The Bears left the bases loaded in the fifth, sixth and ninth innings.
Baylor and Nebraska conclude their three-game series Sunday at 1:05 p.m. CDT. It will be dueling southpaws as the Bears send Cory VanAllen (6-2) to the mound, opposite Husker Brian Duensing (5-0).
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 24-15-1, including a 16-11 advantage since the inception of the Big 12 Conference in 1997. Nebraska leads the series 7-6 in games played at Lincoln. Baylor is 17-11 against Nebraska under the direction of head coach Steve Smith. ... Baylor improves to 2-0 this season in televised games. ... Baylor is 8-3 this season on Saturday, 5-1 in Big 12 play. ... The Bears are 9-2 this season in games started by McCormick, 24-12 in his 36 career starts. ... McCormick has won six of his last seven decisions and has posted a 1.75 ERA with a .156 opponents' batting average over his last 56.2 innings, spanning nine games. In that time, he has allowed only 17 runs, 11 earned, on 31 hits and 24 walks with 58 strikeouts. ... Michael Griffin played in his 231st career game Saturday, moving into sole possession of third place all-time at Baylor. ... Josh Ford reached base safely for the 37th consecutive game. He has reached safely in 41 of 42 games this season. ... Ford was hit by a pitch for the 12th time this season, tying Steve Martinez (1996) for fifth in Baylor single-season history.
