May 21, 2008
Box Score | Quotes
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Shaver Hansen was 3-for-4 with three runs and four RBI, including a key three-run triple in Baylor's four-run seventh as the Bears knocked off 12th-ranked Nebraska 10-4 in first-day action at the Big 12 Conference Championship at Bricktown Ballpark. The sixth-seeded Bears (32-24) became the first team to win five consecutive pool-play games at the Big 12 Championship, dating back to the 2006 season. The third-seeded Huskers (39-13-1) have lost four straight games for the first time this season.
Hansen, who was making the first start of his career in the cleanup spot, singled and scored in the second and delivered an RBI single as the second run of Baylor's two-run third as the Bears took a 3-0 lead. After Nebraska got a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, Hansen walked and scored on Adam Hornung's double in the sixth.
However, it was Hansen's bases-clearing triple in the seventh that propelled the Bears to victory. Raynor Campbell and Beamer Weems opened the frame with back-to-back walks, and Ben Booker followed with a single to load the bases. Hansen yanked Mike Nesseth's full-count offering down the right-field line, plating three with his team-leading sixth triple of the season. Hornung followed with an RBI single, pushing the Bears' lead to 8-4.
Nebraska did not go quietly, loading the bases in the bottom of the seventh before Tyler Farst's two-out, two-run single to left on the 12th pitch of the at bat. Baylor was quick to answer, though, taking advantage of a two-out Nebraska error in the top of the eighth. Campbell reached when Nebraska shortstop Ben Kline's throw to first was wide, and Beamer Weems was then hit by a pitch. Booker followed with double off the right-field wall, scoring both runners.
Starter Shawn Tolleson (6-4) earned the victory, his fifth against a Big 12 team this season. The honorable mention All-Big 12 selection allowed four runs on five hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 6.1 innings; he also hit a Big 12 Championship single-game record tying three batters. Willie Kempf scattered two hits and a walk with three strikeouts over 2.2 scoreless innings for his second save of the season.
Tolleson became the 10th freshman in Baylor history to win six games, joining Ryan LaMotta (2003), Abe Woody (2003) and Kendal Volz (2007) as the only pitchers to accomplish the feat during head coach Steve Smith's tenure (1995-present).
Booker and Hornung both had two-hit days and each had two RBI. Campbell scored three times, while Weems scored twice. Hansen's four RBI tied Baylor's single-game record in Big 12 Championship play; he was the sixth Baylor player to accomplish the feat.
Baylor returns to action Friday, facing second-seeded and seventh-ranked Oklahoma State at 7:30 p.m. CDT. The Bears send right-hander Craig Fritsch (3-3, 3.75 ERA) to the mound, opposite OSU southpaw Andrew Oliver (6-2, 2.05 ERA).
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 30-22-1, including a 22-18 advantage since the inception of the Big 12 Conference in 1997. However, Nebraska leads the series 6-4 in neutral-site meetings, including a 6-3 edge in Big 12 Championship meetings. The Bears are 23-18 against Nebraska during head coach Steve Smith's tenure. ... Baylor is 33-31 all-time in conference tournaments, including a 21-18 mark at the Big 12 Championship. The Bears are 19-14 all-time in Big 12 Championship games at Oklahoma City, including a 19-12 mark at Bricktown Ballpark. ... Baylor improves to 5-2 in pool play at the Big 12 Championship. ... Baylor, Nebraska and Oklahoma have played the most games in Big 12 Championship history, each playing 39 games. Baylor and Nebraska have faced each other nine times at the Big 12 Championship, the most meetings between two schools in the event's history. ... Campbell (seven games), Booker (five games), Hornung (five games) and Dustin Dickerson (three games) all extended hitting streaks. Campbell's streak ties for his season long. Hornung has hit safely in 11 consecutive games away from Baylor Ballpark.
