Baylor
Kansas St
Bears Clinch Big 12 Title
7/31/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 13, 2000
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Pinch-hitter Chris Durbin slugged a two-run single to lead the Baylor baseball team to a 7-5, come-from-behind win over Kansas State Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Bears (41-14, 22-7) lay claim to the Big 12 conference title -- their first outright league title in 77 years.
Baylor got on the board early when Mike Huggins doubled to right field and came in on an RBI double by Kelly Shoppach. In the third, Anthony Hensley walked, then stole second and third before Jaime Bubela hit a sacrifice fly to put the Bears up 2-0. Kansas State (19-31, 5-23) countered with three runs in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead.
In the fifth inning, the Wildcats stretched their lead to three runs with a two-run homer to center by Kasey Weishaar. The Bears rallied with two runs in the seventh. Matt Williams reached base after being hit by the pitcher and Preston Underdown doubled to centerfield to put runners in scoring position. Williams scored on a fielder's choice and Underdown came in on an RBI single by Huggins to cut the K-State lead to one run.
Baylor put up three more runs in the top of the eighth, sparked by Durbin's two-run shot to left field. Bears closer Zane Carlson relieved starter Kyle Evans in the bottom of the eighth and threw two no-hit, shutout innings to put the win away for Baylor.
Evans (10-1) scattered five runs on six hits over seven innings of work to earn the win. Carlson registered his 14th save of the season, which is a new Baylor record for career saves. Kansas State starter Jason Wells took the loss, giving up seven runs on seven hits in seven and one-third innings.
Baylor and Kansas State meet Sunday at 1 p.m. for the final game of the three-game series.
