Bears Host Third-Annual QTI Baylor Classic
2/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 29, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
GAMES 5-7 • FEB. 29-MARCH 2 • BAYLOR BALLPARK •
THIRD-ANNUAL QTI BAYLOR CLASSIC
ALL TIMES CENTRAL • HOME TEAM LISTED FIRST
FRIDAY:
Stephen F. Austin vs. Illinois-Chicago, 2:00 p.m.
BAYLOR vs.
SATURDAY:
BAYLOR vs. Illinois-Chicago, 6:30 p.m. -- half-price admission with men's basketball ticket stub
SUNDAY:
Illinois-Chicago vs.
BAYLOR vs. Stephen F. Austin, 3:00 p.m. -- Family Sundays (free admission ages 12 and under)
Baylor returns to action this weekend, hosting the third-annual QTI Baylor Classic. The Bears welcome
The Bears (4-0) are ranked 13th nationally by Baseball
Baylor's opponents this weekend all are unranked.
All Baylor baseball games are broadcast live on
Live streaming video also is available for the QTI Baylor Classic. For more information, follow the Baylor All-Access link at www.BaylorBears.com.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
FRIDAY
Baylor: RHP Kendal Volz, So. (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.0 IP, 2 BB, 10 K)
SATURDAY
Baylor: RHP Shawn Tolleson, Fr. (0-0, 19.29 ERA, 2.1 IP, 4 BB, 3 K)
Illinois-Chicago: RHP Derrick Miramontes, Jr. (0-0, 4.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 2 BB, 1 K)
SUNDAY
Baylor: RHP Willie Kempf, So. (1-0, 1.80 ERA, 5.0 IP, 4 BB, 4 K)
Stephen F. Austin: RHP Erich Lehmann, Jr. (0-0, 2.70 ERA, 10.0 IP, 1 BB, 12 K)
COACHES
BAYLOR: Steve Smith
Alma Mater: Baylor, 1986
Career Record: 494-311-1 [14th season]
Record at Baylor: 494-311-1 [14th season]
Alma Mater:
Career Record: 65-57 [3rd season]
Record at
ILLINOIS-CHICAGO: Mike Dee
Alma Mater: Wisconsin-La Crosse, 1979
Career Record: 304-204-1 [10th season]
Record at UIC: 304-204-1 [10th season]
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN: Donnie Watson
Alma Mater:
Career Record: 49-71 [3rd season]
Record at SFA: 49-71 [3rd season]
BAYLOR/ISP SPORTS NETWORK
1660 ESPN RADIO (
Tom Barfield, play-by-play
Lark Smith, color
INTERNET FEEDS
GameTracker: www.BaylorBears.com
Audio: www.BaylorBears.com
Video: www.BaylorBears.com
QUICK HITS
• Since the start of the 2003 season, Baylor is:
- 144-56 (.720) when its starting pitcher lasts at least 5.0 innings
- 39-9 (.813) when its pitchers record at least 10 strikeouts
- 137-40 (.774) when scoring first
- 158-31 (.836) when out-hitting its opponent
- 149-39 (.793) when holding its opponent to fewer than five runs
- 133-28 (.826) when scoring at least six runs
- 120-19 (.863) when scoring at least seven runs
• Since the start of the 2002 season, Baylor is 187-9 (.954) when leading after eight innings, winning 48 of the last 50, 82 of the last 85 and 117 of the last 121 such games. The Bears are 30-2 when leading after eight innings since the start of the 2007 season.
• Baylor has won 28 of its last 31 games when hitting at least two home runs.
• Baylor is 25-6 in regular-season midweek games since the beginning of the 2006 season. The Bears are 12-2 in such games over the past two seasons.
• Baylor is 15-4 in extra-inning games since the start of the 2003 season.
• Baylor has won four straight home games in which the opponent scores in the first inning. The Bears are 7-2 in such games since the start of last season.
QTI BAYLOR CLASSIC HISTORY
This is the third year of the QTI Baylor Classic (formerly the Quala-T Imprints Baylor Classic). Louisiana Tech won the first event in 2006, and
In 2006, Baylor and Louisiana Tech met in the event's finale to determine the champion; the Bulldogs jumped out to an 8-0 lead with a five-run first and a three-run second and never looked back en route to a 12-4 victory. Louisiana Tech finished 2-1, while
Last season, the champion was determined by virtue of the Saturday game between Baylor and
ALL-TIME BAYLOR CLASSIC RESULTS
2006 2007
Louisiana Tech 13,
BAYLOR 5, Pacific 4 BAYLOR 5,
Pacific 11,
BAYLOR 16,
Louisiana Tech 12, BAYLOR 4 BAYLOR 5, Winthrop 2 (8 innings, susp. and later called)
BAYLOR-ILLINOIS SERIES
Baylor and
Overall: 0-1
Neutral Site: 0-1
Smith vs.
First Meeting:
Last Meeting:
BAYLOR vs. THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
Baylor is 15-4-1 all-time against current Big Ten Conference members. The Bears have faced
Including the loss to
BAYLOR-UIC SERIES
Baylor and Illinois-Chicago have never met in baseball competition.
Overall: 0-0
Neutral Site: 0-0
Smith vs. UIC: 0-0
First Meeting: Never Met
Last Meeting: Never Met
BAYLOR vs. THE HORIZON LEAGUE
Baylor has never played any of the Horizon League's seven current members --
BAYLOR-STEPHEN F. AUSTIN SERIES
Baylor and Stephen F. Austin meet for the 25th time this weekend. The Bears have won each of the first 24 meetings, going 20-0 in games played in
The Bears and the Jacks first met March 15, 1948, in
Overall: 24-0
Neutral Site: 0-0
Smith vs. SFA: 8-0
First Meeting: at Baylor 17, SFA 12 [3/15/1948]
Last Meeting: at Baylor 10, SFA 2 [2/18/2007]
BAYLOR vs. THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
Baylor is 285-125-1 all-time against teams current Southland Conference members. The Bears have played more games against Southland schools than any conference other than the Big 12.
Of the 12 current Southland members, Baylor has faced UT Arlington the most, going 71-28 against the Mavericks. The Bears also have played Lamar (43-28-1), McNeese State (8-7), Nicholls State (7-2), Northwestern State (9-7), Sam Houston State (55-37), Stephen F. Austin (24-0), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (4-0), Texas State (39-14) and UTSA (25-2). Central Arkansas and
Including Stephen F. Austin, Baylor's 2008 schedule features six Southland schools. The Bears also face
VOLZ EARNS WEEKLY PITCHING HONORS
RHP Kendal Volz was named Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Volz was honored after earning the victory in the Bears' 2-1 victory over Purdue in Friday night's season opener. He held Purdue scoreless on four hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts over 8.0 innings. His strikeout total was the best by a Baylor pitcher in a season opener since 1989.
A sophomore from
Volz also was named Midwest Region Top Performer by InsidePitching.com. The site honors five pitchers nationally each week; the weekly award is determined by a vote of 30 Division I coaches. Others honored in the season's first week were Andrew Liebel of
HOME SWEET HOME
Baylor has won eight consecutive home games, dating back to last season. This is Baylor's longest home winning streak since a 14-game stretch over the 2006 and 2007 campaigns. The Bears are 221-82 (.729) all-time at Baylor Ballpark, which celebrates its 10th season this year. Baylor is 54-17 (.761) at home since the start of the 2006 season.
TWO OUTLETS PICK BAYLOR FOR
Baylor was projected as one of eight teams to reach the 2008 College World Series, according to Baseball
BAYLOR BALLPARK CELEBRATES MILESTONE GAME
Baylor's 2008 season opener was the Bears' 300th game at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears are 221-82 (.729) at home since the stadium opened in 1999. Baylor Ballpark, which celebrates its 10th season in 2008, has drawn over 800,000 fans in its existence. Baylor is one of only eight Division I schools to average at least 2,700 fans per game each season since 2000. The facility was voted the nation's third-best college baseball stadium in a 2003 Baseball
While the season opener was the Bears' 300th game at Baylor Ballpark, the facility already had celebrated its 300th college game. Including the 1999, 2000 and 2005 NCAA Regionals and the 2006 and 2007 Quala-T Imprints Baylor Classics, a total of 16 Division I games that did not involve the Bears have been played at Baylor Ballpark.
CASSAVECHIA AMONG NATIONAL CAREER SAVES LEADERS
RHP Nick Cassavechia entered the 2008 season with 19 career saves, a total that was tied for second in Baylor history and led all active Big 12 Conference pitchers. Furthermore, Cassavechia ranked sixth nationally in career saves among active players behind only Kelly Heyne (24,
Cassavechia's career total is even more impressive considering he has been Baylor's closer for not even two full seasons. He moved into the closer role during the first week of April in 2006 and has amassed all his saves since that point. He tallied 11 saves as a junior in 2007, tying for fourth in the Big 12 and 23rd nationally. It also tied for the third-best season total in Baylor history. Cassavechia, who had eight saves as a sophomore in 2006, joins Zane Carlson (2000, 2001) as the only Baylor pitchers to record at least eight saves in consecutive seasons.
TRIPLE YOUR PLEASURE
Baylor batters tallied 58 triples over the past two seasons. Only
Furthermore, Baylor joins
Baylor's Jon Topolski led the nation with 11 triples in 1998. Seth Fortenberry tied for third nationally with 10 triples in 2006, and Ben Booker tied for 15th nationally last season with seven. Michael Griffin was 25th nationally with 0.12 triples per game in 2003, one year after Mike Huggins was 25th nationally with 0.11 triples per contest.
FIVE BAYLOR GAMES SLATED FOR TELEVISION
Five Baylor games are scheduled for television broadcast this season, including two home games. The Bears will be on CSTV twice: April 1 at TCU (7 p.m. CT) and April 22 vs.
Since 1988, Baylor has played on television 57 times, including a program-best 12 games in 2005. Over the past 20 years, the Bears are 28-29 in televised games.
VOLZ LOOKS TO BUILD ON FRESHMAN SUCCESS
RHP Kendal Volz became the ninth freshman in Baylor history to record at least six victories last season. Furthermore, he is only the third to accomplish the feat during head coach Steve Smith's tenure. Here is a look at how the nine pitchers fared as sophomores and in their careers:
PLAYER YEARS FRESHMAN SOPHOMORE CAREER
Ricky Fox 1971-1974 6-4 3-5 19-17
Mike Roberts 1976-1979 6-2 3-1 20-6
Andy Beene 1976-1979 8-1 0-0 15-5
Ted
Bruce Aguilar 1986-1989 6-3 2-1 21-13
Aaron Lineweaver 1993-1995 9-5 4-6 16-18
Ryan LaMotta 2003-2006 7-3 2-5 21-16
Abe Woody 2003-2005 6-0 5-1 21-4
Kendal Volz 2007-present 6-2 1-0 7-2
BIG 12 COACHES PICK BAYLOR THIRD
Baylor was picked third in the 2008 Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Bears garnered one first-place vote and 65 total points, six behind second-place
This is Baylor's highest preseason pick by the league's coaches since 2004 when the Bears were tabbed second. The Bears have been picked fourth in the preseason poll each of the past three seasons.
In the 11-year history of the Big 12, only five schools have claimed regular-season titles: Baylor (2000, 2005);
BAYLOR IS EXTRA SPECIAL
Baylor is 15-4 in extra-inning games since the start of the 2003 season, including a 1-0 mark in such games this season. Baylor was 2-1 in extra-inning games last season, 0-1 in 2006, 6-1 in 2005, 1-0 in 2004 and 5-1 in 2003.
Five of the 15 wins over the past six seasons have come on an opponent's home field (
Baylor's luck was not as good in 2002 when the Bears were 1-5 in extra-inning games, including a span of three consecutive games lost in extra innings during mid-May.
FIVE BEARS EARN PRESEASON HONORS
Five Baylor players garnered preseason accolades from various publications and outlets this year, including two preseason All-America honors.
RHP Nick Cassavechia was a preseason All-America pick by
SS Beamer Weems was a second-team preseason All-America selection by Rivals.com and by
RHP Shawn Tolleson was ranked second nationally on the Rivals.com 2008 Impact Freshmen List. He sat out the 2007 season as a medical redshirt.
2B Raynor
RHP Kendal Volz was named the third-best pro prospect in the Big 12 Conference for the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.
CASSAVECHIA NAMED TO STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
RHP Nick Cassavechia was named to the 2008 Stopper of the Year Watch List, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced. Cassavechia is one of 40 pitchers -- and one of only four from the Big 12 Conference -- on the initial list for the fourth-annual award given to the nation's top college closer. This is the second consecutive year he has been named to the award's preseason watch list. Other Big 12 pitchers on the watch list are Daniel Edwards (
SIX BEARS ON BASEBALL
Baseball
RHP Shawn Tolleson was rated as the 15th-best prospect among freshmen; Tolleson, who missed the 2007 season with a medical redshirt, will be draft eligible in 2009 after his sophomore seasons.
Four Bears appearend on the sophomore list: RF Aaron Miller (11th), RHP Kendal Volz (14th), 1B Dustin Dickerson (32nd) and 2B Raynor Campbell (50th). Of that group, only
RHP Randall Linebaugh was rated as the 14th-best prospect among seniors. Linebaugh, one of only two three-year lettermen on Baylor's 2008 roster, has never been drafted.
WEEMS NAMED TO GOLDEN SPIKES AWARD WATCH LIST
SS Beamer Weems was named to the 2008 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List. He is one of 75 players on the list, which is the first of its kind for the Golden Spikes Award. The list is rolling, which means other players may be added throughout the season.
The Golden Spikes Award is sponsored by Major League Baseball and administered by USA Baseball. This is the 31st year of the award. Past winners include Terry Francona (1980), Will Clark (1985), Robin Ventura (1988), Jason Varitek (1994) and Baylor's Jason Jennings (1999). David Price of Vanderbilt was the 2007 Golden Spikes Award winner.
CASSAVECHIA, WEEMS NAMED TO WALLACE WATCH LIST
RHP Nick Cassavechia and SS Beamer Weems were named to the 2008 Brooks Wallace Award Preseason Watch List. Weems also was on the award's preseason watch list last year, while Cassavechia makes his first appearance.
Dedicated to the memory of late Texas Tech shortstop and assistant coach Brooks Wallace, the award is in its fifth year and is given annually to the nation's top collegiate baseball player. Past winners are Kurt Suzuki (catcher, Cal State Fullerton, 2004), Alex Gordon (third baseman,
BEARS ON SHORT LIST FOR RECENT NCAA SUCCESS
Baylor is one of 15 NCAA Division I programs and one of only two from the Big 12 Conference with at least nine NCAA Tournament appearances in the past 10 years. The Bears have made nine tournament appearances in that time (missing only the 2004 event) with three Super Regional appearances and one College World Series appearance.
Others on the elite list are:
BAYLOR AMONG NATIONAL APR LEADERS
Baylor received a public recognition award from the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program in 2007 for having an Academic Progress Rate (APR) score that ranks among the top 10 percent within their sport. The Bears' most-recent APR score was 983 with an adjusted squad size mark of 992. Baylor was one of 30 Division I programs honored by the NCAA. Head coach Steve Smith's squad was the only of Baylor's 19 varsity teams so honored.
MIDWEEK PREVIEW
Baylor hosts Louisiana Tech for a midweek set at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears and the Bulldogs meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. CST and Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Despite being separated by less than 300 miles, the programs have met just three times before with Baylor winning twice. However, Louisiana Tech was victorious in the last meeting, topping the Bears 12-4 in the final game of the 2006 Baylor Classic. The other two meetings were on neutral soil. Baylor defeated Louisiana Tech 7-3 at the 1983 Jody Ramsey Tournament in
The Bears are 25-6 in regular-season midweek contests since the start of the 2006 season, including a 12-2 mark over the past two seasons. In Baylor's 2005 College World Series campaign, the Bears were just 7-8 in regular-season midweek games.
RHP Wade Mackey is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against Louisiana Tech, while Wednesday's starter has not yet been announced. Mackey earned the win last Tuesday in Baylor's 10-1 victory over
