Baylor
Long Beach State
Baseball Drops Series to LBSU with 7-1 Defeat
3/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 9, 2003
WACO, Texas - Eighth-ranked Long Beach State scored four unearned runs in the first inning and coasted to a 7-1 win over No. 6 Baylor Sunday at Baylor Ballpark.
With the victory, the Dirtbags (13-6) claimed the series, two games to one. Baylor (14-5) lost for the second straight day following an 11-game win streak.
Baylor freshman Ryan LaMotta (5-1) suffered the loss in his first collegiate start. LaMotta allowed all seven LBSU runs, but only three of those were earned. The starter struck out three and walked one, allowing eight hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Back-to-back errors by Ross Bennett and Trey Webb to start the game brought home Long Beach State's first run. Second baseman Tim Hutting followed with a double to right, scoring Josh Buhagiar from second to make the score 2-0.
After a groundout, third baseman Adam Heether reached on a bunt single, and rightfielder Brad Davis followed with an RBI single to right for run number three. First baseman Mike Hofius came through with yet another single that drove in Heether and put Baylor into a 4-0 hole.
LBSU starter Cesar Ramos (1-2) walked Chris Durbin to lead off the game, and David Murphy followed with a double to left that brought home Durbin for what would prove to be Baylor's only run of the day. Ramos lasted 6 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and four walks but just the one run while striking out two.
Brett Andrade and Carlos Muniz combined to pitch the final 2 2/3 innings for Long Beach, allowing two hits but no walks or strikeouts.
Baylor pitchers Andy Pape, Russell Reichenbach and Zane Carlson shut out the Dirtbags over the last 2 2/3 innings. Together the trio allowed one hit, one walk and struck out one batter.
Baylor had at least two men reach base in six of the game's nine innings, but the Bears left 11 men on base, one shy of the team's season-high mark.
Murphy had three of Baylor's nine hits and extended his hitting streak to 10 games, tying his career high.
The Bears will look to get back to their winning ways Tuesday against Houston. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at Baylor Ballpark.
