Green Team Beats Gold in Baseball Alumni Game
10/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 18, 2003
WACO, Texas - The high-octane offense of the Green Team beat the not-so-golden arms of the Gold Team 12-5 Saturday in the 2003 Baylor Baseball Alumni Game.
The Green Team, boasting most of the better hitters among the alumni present, scored five runs in the first and coasted to a 12-5 win in a classic case of good hitting beating good pitching.
"What a great weekend for so many wonderful players," Smith said afterwards. "It always means so much to see them having a great time, reliving many memories and continuing the relationships that began here at Baylor."
Though the Gold boasted such former Baylor aces as Kip Wells (currently the ace of the Pittsburgh Pirates), Steven White, Justin Taylor and Kris Lambert, the Green team had no trouble scoring all afternoon. A five-run first against Justin Spooner put the Green on top early, and the Green line-up - featuring such stars as Jon Topolski, Charley Carter, Mike Huggins and Eric Nelson - rolled on to victory.
Rick Fox, a four-year letterwinner from 1971-1974, picked up the win for the Green team; Spooner suffered the loss. Top hitters for the Green included 1966-1969 letterman Skip Balthrop, who singled against Kip Wells (30 years his junior), Nelson, Huggins, Carter and Tim Hartshorn (1998-2002). Steve Kliafas (1988-1990) and Sean Severide (1989-1992) led the Gold team at the plate.
Several alums made blue-star plays in the field, as well. The Bears' former double-play combo of Nelson and Preston Underdown (1997-2000) each made outstanding defensive plays in the infield. Anthony Hensley made a great diving catch in the outfield. For the Gold Team, Trent Weaver (1988-1989) and Steve Kliafas (1988-1990) played well defensively.
