Oklahoma Cruises Over Baylor

The Baylor Bears dropped the rubber match of the 2021 Round Rock Classic to the #25 Oklahoma Sooners, 3-9.  Earlier in the round robin tournament the Bears fell to the Texas A&M Aggies and topped the #17 Auburn Tigers.  The Sooners lead the match series against the Bears, 36-32.  

Both teams started fast, each scoring 2 runs in the first inning.  Baylor stumbled in the third inning, allowing the Sooners to send 8 batters to the plate, producing 4 runs on 4 hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch.  Baylor starting pitcher Cam Caley face only 4 batter in the inning before retiring.  Oklahoma added to their lead with a run in the fifth inning and 2 runs in the sixth inning.  The Bears scored an unearned run in the sixth on a throwing error by the Sooners’ centerfielder. 

Third baseman Brett Squires led Oklahoma with a double and 2 singles on 5 plate appearances, driving in 3 runs with a stolen base.  Tanner Tredaway, Tyler Hardman and Diego Muniz each had 2 hits.  Brandon Zaragoza drove in 2 runs on 1 hit. 

Offensively the Bears were led by Jared McKenzie and Kyle Nevin.  Each had 2 hits and an RBI, McKenzie in 5 plate appearances and Nevin on 4.  Chase Whsener had 2 hits in 4 at-bats. 

Oklahoma starting pitcher Jake Bennett (1-0) earned the victory, holding Baylor to 2 runs (0 earned) on 7 hits, 2 strikeouts and 1 walk in 5 innings.  Carson Carter threw 3 innings in relief and Jason Ruffcorn tossed the final frame. 

The Bears sent 6 pitchers to the mound in an attempt to contain Oklahoma.  Starting pitcher Cam suffered the loss, yielding 6 runs on 6 hits with 2 strikeouts, 3 walks and 2 hit batters.  Jacob Ashkinos threw 3 innings of long relief, allowing 1 run on 5 hits.