April 28, 2001

Box Score

STILLWATER, Okla. - Chris Durbin drilled a three-run homer over the left field wall to spark the Baylor baseball team to a 7-5 win over Oklahoma State Saturday night at Reynolds Stadium.

Baylor (33-16, 16-7 Big 12) got things going early with a pair of runs in the first inning, but the Cowboys responded in the bottom of the first with two runs of their own to even the score at 2-2.

After Oklahoma State (33-15, 12-11 Big 12) pulled ahead with two runs in the second, the Bears exploded for four runs in the third. Mark Saccomanno led off with a single to left and Trevor Mote walked to put runners in scoring position with no outs. Durbin then belted a three-run shot over the left field wall. Kelly Shoppach ripped a double to left center and scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Williams before designated hitter Paul Richmond wrapped up the inning with a towering home run to right field to give Baylor a 7-4 lead.

Bears starter Justin Taylor (6-2) settled down after the second inning and held the Cowboys scoreless through the seventh, while striking out four batters. Paul Thorp relieved Taylor in the eighth and earned his fourth save of the season and second in two days.

After giving up seven runs on six hits in two-plus innings, Cowboys starter Justin Meccage (3-1) was pulled in favor of Nick McCurdy, who struck out a career-high nine batters and did not allow a hit until the eighth inning.

Baylor and Oklahoma State will meet for the final game of the three-game set Sunday at 2 p.m. at Reynolds Stadium.