Baylor
Texas
Baseball Loses Early Lead in 5-2 Loss at Texas
4/10/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 10, 2011
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AUSTIN, Texas - Baylor got a strong outing from Trent Blank, but the Bears' bullpen was unable to hold the lead as eighth-ranked Texas came from behind to win 5-2 in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Disch-Falk Field.
With the win, Texas (24-8, 9-3 Big 12) won its sixth straight series against Baylor (18-15, 5-7 Big 12), while the Bears dropped their second consecutive series in Big 12 play.
Blank turned in a strong outing, allowing one run on five hits in 5.0 innings, and he left the game with a 2-1 lead but did not factor in the decision as the Longhorns scored four runs against the first three pitchers the Bears brought out of the bullpen.
"I thought he did a good job today. We worked on it and I thought he did a good job of keeping the ball down and using multiple pitches," head coach Steve Smith said. "I thought he was very effective. I could have run him back out there again, but at some point in time you have got to get some production out of guys who should be able to produce."
Tant Shepherd's two-run double in the bottom half of the seventh proved to be a game-winning hit, and Texas added on an insurance run when Jonathan Walsh laid down a successful squeeze bunt.
Texas starter Cole Green also got a no-decision after allowing two runs on two hits with nine strikeouts in 6.0 innings. Green had only allowed four walks in 44.1 innings prior to Sunday's game, but he issued three walks and hit three Baylor batters.
Baylor got to Green with a pair of runs in the second inning to take an early 2-0 lead. Josh Ludy reached after being hit by a pitch, Joey Hainsfurther drew a one-out walk and Lawton Langford loaded the bases with a single.
Green struck out Steve DalPorto for the second out, but Landis Ware hit a 0-2 pitch into right-center field for a two-run single. That would be the last hit allowed by Texas pitching, as Green combined with three relievers on a two-hitter.
"It was big," Ware said. "I thought it gave us the momentum for the rest of the game. We didn`t take advantage of all of the opportunities we had, but it was great to get two runs early off of a good pitcher like that."
Corey Knebel retired all six batters he faced over the last 2.0 innings to earn his eighth save of the season, while Sam Stafford (5-0) picked up the win by striking out the last batter in the seventh.
Baylor outfielder Logan Vick saw his first action since March 20 when he came on as a pinch hitter with two outs in the ninth. He had missed 12 straight games with a hamstring injury.
"We may DH him and then maybe get him an inning or two in the field (on Tuesday)," Smith said. "I am not going to rush it, but I think as long as there is no setback he should be ready by next weekend."
Baylor returns to action at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday when it travels to UT Arlington. The Bears next home game is at 6:30 p.m. Friday, when the Bears host the first of three games in the "Battle of the Brazos" against Texas A&M. The final two games of the series will be played in College Station, Texas.
