March 26, 2005

Box Score

STILLWATER, Okla. - A four-run middle-inning deficit proved too much for No. 10 Baylor to overcome and Oklahoma State tacked on two late-inning runs as the Cowboys defeated the Bears 7-1 in Friday night's series opener at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium. Baylor (15-9, 3-1) suffers its first Big 12 Conference loss of the season, while Oklahoma State (18-7, 3-1) wins its second consecutive series opener.

Oklahoma State starter Thomas Cowley held the Baylor bats at bay all night, scattering eight hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over 8.0 innings. Cowley retired after surrendering a Kevin Russo leadoff single in the ninth on his 139^th pitch of the night.

In the bottom of the first, Trey Taylor walked three of the first four Cowboy batters, retiring only Rusty Ryal on a sacrifice bunt. Taylor then hit Jeff Parrish to plate the game's first run.

Baylor answered with a two-out run in the top of the second. Chase Gerdes beat out an infield single and then stole second ahead of Paul Witt's RBI single.

However, the Cowboys scored two runs in the third and two runs in the fifth to pull away.

Taylor was touched for five runs on seven hits and a career-high five walks with two strikeouts in 4.1 innings. The outing ended a streak of 17 consecutive starts for Taylor without allowing more than four earned runs. Mandel scattered four hits with three strikeouts in 2.2 scoreless innings before Randall Linebaugh surrendered the two eighth-inning runs.

Russo and Witt both tallied two hits on the night to lead the Bears at the plate.

Baylor and Oklahoma State meet again Saturday at 2 p.m. CST. The Bears send right-hander Mark McCormick (2-1) to the mound, opposite OSU southpaw Brae Wright (4-1).