Feb. 18, 2002
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this week in baylor baseball
17th-ranked Baylor heads to Houston Wednesday for the second meeting of the young season between the Bears and Cougars. With a full head of steam thanks to a weekend sweep of No. 6 Southern California, Baylor looks to avenge a 3-2 loss to Houston earlier this season at the Astros College Classic.
The Bears have won four straight coming into Wednesday's game. In the team's home opener at Baylor Ballpark, coach Steve Smith's squad beat UT-San Antonio 12-1 last Wednesday. The Bears then headed west to Los Angeles and Dodger Stadium, where they took all three games from the 12-time national champion USC Trojans (18-9, 8-1, 3-1).
LHP Trey Taylor (0-0, 0.00) will make his first collegiate start Wednesday against the Cougars' LHP Keith Whatley (1-1, 2.84). Taylor, a second-round pick by the Colorado Rockies last June, has pitched four scoreless innings out of the bullpen this year. The freshman has six strikeouts and has given up just one walk and three hits.
This weekend, the Bears return home for a three-game series with Oral Roberts at Baylor Ballpark. Game times are 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
baylor vs. houston
Houston's 3-2 win over Baylor at the Astros College Classic (Feb. 18) broke a four-game winning steak for the Bears against the Cougars, in 2001, Baylor went a perfect 4-0 against Houston, outscoring the Cougars 49-18 in the four games.
In the Friday game at Enron Field (Feb. 18), the Bears lost for the second straight day on a last at-bat home run. This time, Houston catcher Chris Snyder did the honors with a solo bomb in the ninth that gave the Cougars the 3-2 win. Snyder's shot barely cleared the 20-foot wall in left field and wasted a strong effort from Baylor starter Steven White, who went 6.2 innings, striking out five and allowing just one earned run.
Baylor is 79-53 all-time against Houston, dating back to the days of the Southwest Conference. The series began in 1953 with a 5-3 Houston win.
quick notes
* Jared Theodorakos was named one of three Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week after he carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished with a one-hitter Saturday in an 8-1 Baylor win over #6 USC at Dodger Stadium. The lefty held USC hitless for seven-and-a-third innings before allowing the first hit. Theodorakos recorded his first career complete game and struck out a career-high 11 batters. Theodorakos also earned Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance.
* Senior Tim Hartshorn was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Astros College Classic and Big 12 Player of the Week (Jan. 25-Feb. 10) after going 10-for-15 with a double, two triples, a home run, four runs scored and four RBI (three games).
* As a team, the Bears are hitting .324 (48-for-148) with runners on base and .330 (30-for-91) with runners in scoring position -- 22 and 28 points higher than the team's cumulative average of .302.
last time out
Timely hitting was the name of the game last weekend as the 25th-ranked Bears swept No. 6 Southern California in a three-game series played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Junior Steven White got his first win of the season in a slugfest Friday night, an 18-9 Baylor win. Six Bears finished the night with two hits or more. Catcher Paul Richmond was the Baylor offensive star, going 2-for-6 with a run scored and five RBI, including a key home run in the fifth inning.
Saturday could not have been more different. Junior Jared Theodorakos carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished with a one-hitter as Baylor beat USC, 8-1. Theodorakos held the Trojans hitless for 7.1 innings before allowing a single to center on a 2-2 count in the eighth. The junior lefty went the distance for his first complete game and struck out a career-high 11 batters.
On Sunday, it took a late-inning comeback to complete the sweep. Mike Huggins' two-RBI single in the eighth put the Bears on top in a 3-1 Baylor win. Senior Justin Taylor settled down after a shaky start to pick up his second win of the season (and of the week).
The Baylor offense scored 11 runs in the first three innings and coasted to a 12-1 win over UTSA last Wednesday night in the Bears' home opener. Baylor scored twice in the first, but it was an eight-run second inning that did in the Roadrunners. Justin Taylor threw six shutout innings on just 59 pitches, striking out four with no walks and giving up just two hits.
baylor in the rankings
A three-game sweep of then-No. 6 Southern California propelled the Bears back up in the rankings this week. Baylor jumped eight spots in Baseball America to 17th and moved back into the Collegiate Baseball poll (23rd) and USA Today Baseball Weekly (23rd) poll after dropping out a week ago.
Baylor's top ranking so far this season came during the preseason, when the Bears were ranked 16th by both Baseball America and USA Today Baseball Weekly.
The highest preseason ranking in Baylor history came in 2000 (No. 10, Baseball America). The best final ranking in program history is No. 6 (Collegiate Baseball, 1978), while the highest ranking at any point was No. 3 (Baseball America, May 8, 2000).
theo throwing it
Junior LHP Jared Theodorakos was named one of three Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week (Feb. 11-17) after he carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning and finished with a one-hitter Saturday in an 8-1 Baylor win over #6 USC at Dodger Stadium.
The lefty held USC hitless for seven-and-a-third innings before allowing the first hit. Theodorakos recorded his first career complete game and struck out a career-high 11 batters. Theodorakos also earned Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance.
hartshorn starts season with bang
Senior co-captain Tim Hartshorn opened the season with a bang at the Astros College Classic (Feb. 7-9). Batting in the leadoff spot all three games, Hartshorn went 10-for-15 with a double, two triples, a home run, four runs scored and four RBI.
For his efforts, the senior was named Most Outstanding Player for the tournament. Hartshorn followed in the steps of former Bear Kelly Shoppach, who earned the same honor last season in the inaugural Astros College Classic. Hartshorn also was named Big 12 Player of the Week for games played Jan. 25-Feb. 10.
in the clutch
Baylor batters have done a remarkable job of coming through in clutch situations early in the season. As a team, the Bears are hitting .324 (48-for-148) with runners on base and .330 (30-for-91) with runners in scoring position. With runners on third and less than two, Baylor has come through in 14-of-24 opportunities (.583). With the bases loaded, the Bears are hitting .333 (4-for-12).
rough start? so what!
Twice in the last 25 years (prior to 2002) have the Bears started a season 0-3. The most recent occurance came in 1998, when Baylor opened on the road against Arizona State and was swept in the series. The Bears finished 41-20-1 and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time under coach Steve Smith.
Before that, the last time Baylor opened with three straight losses was 1978. That season, too, turned out okay, despite the start, the Bears advanced to the College World Series for the second straight year.
control freaks
As a staff, Baylor pitchers have compiled an impressive 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio through the first seven games of the season. The Bears have struck out 60 opponents (in 65.1 innings) while walking just 15 batters. Junior LHP Jared Theodorakos leads the staff with 19 strikeouts and just three walks.
preseason honors
Baseball America included RHP Steven White in its preseason all-America listing (third team). White and OF Chris Durbin were picked to repeat their 2001 all-Big 12 first team selections. White was named the top draft prospect in the Big 12 for 2002, with Durbin ranking fifth in the conference. OF David Murphy was named the fourth-best prospect in the league for the 2003 draft. LHP Trey Taylor was predicted to be the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Baseball America picked the Bears to finish third in the Big 12 and earn their fifth straight NCAA tournament selection. Durbin was ranked as having the strongest outfield arm in the Big 12, and SS Mark Saccomanno was named as the best infield arm in the conference.
The Dallas Morning News named Durbin and RHP Justin Taylor to its preseason all-Big 12 first team and included White on the second team. The publication predicted the Bears would finish fifth in the Big 12.
white-washing the opponents
Junior RHP Steven White was named preseason all-America (third team) by both Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball prior to the 2002 season. A first team all-Big 12 selection as a sophomore, White went 10-3 with a 3.49 ERA in 2001 and returns as Baylor's staff ace.
In its preseason issue, Baseball America named White the top draft prospect in the Big 12 for the 2002 amateur draft.
murphy missing
Sophomore outfielder David Murphy will miss the first four-to-six weeks of the season after breaking the hamate bone in his right (non-throwing) hand. Murphy had surgery on Jan. 22, but could return to the line-up as soon as March 1.
three mlb parks in one season
If Baylor qualifies for the Big 12 Tournament in 2002, they will become what is believed to be the first NCAA team to play in three major league stadiums in one season. The Bears' first two weekends were spent at Enron Field in Houston for the Astros College Classic and at Dodger Stadium (three-game series vs. USC). The Big 12 Tournament will be played at the Ballpark in Arlington for the first time in 2002, previous Big 12 Tournaments were played at the minor league park in Oklahoma City.
home is where the wins are
Since moving into Baylor Ballpark early in the 1999 season, the Bears have compiled an impressive 77-24 record (.762 winning percentage).
o captain, my captain
Seniors Tim Hartshorn and Ron Zboril and junior Mike Huggins were elected co-captains by their teammates for the 2002 season. Combined, the triumvirate has been with the team for 10 years and played in 320 games entering the season.
experience counts
In 2002, Baylor returns 19 of 24 letterwinners from a year ago. Most notably, the Bears lost only one member of the pitching staff from last season. Two-thirds of the starting rotation from 2001 returns intact, with preseason all-American Steven White and 2001 all-Big 12 selection Justin Taylor.
ruling the roost
In the last 28 Big 12 Conference series it has played, Baylor holds an amazing 24-4 record. The Bears have lost conference series only to Texas A&M (2-1, 1998), Texas Tech twice (3-0, 2000, 2-1, 2001) and Nebraska (3-0, 2001).
working their way up the charts
Every save recorded by junior closer Zane Carlson adds to his school record for saves. Carlson has 23 career saves, he set the single season and career record with 15 saves as a freshman and added eight more as a sophomore. Carlson also has 49 career appearances, nine shy of cracking the top 10.
Junior outfielder Chris Durbin began 2002 with the 10th best career batting average in school history at .338 and the eighth best career slugging percentage at .574. He has 32 career doubles (nine short of 10th place) and 17 career home runs (four shy of 10th place).
Through games of Feb. 18, senior reliever Kyle Edens ranks third for career winning percentage with a 9-2 record (.818). He also ranks seventh in Baylor history in career games relieved with 47, and his five career saves are tied for 10th all-time.
Junior Mike Huggins' 37 career doubles are four short of 10th place in school history.
Senior RHP Justin Taylor ranks fourth in career winning percentage (19-6, .760), fifth in career games relieved (49) and eighth in career games pitched (63). His 19 wins are one shy of 10th place.
Junior RHP Paul Thorp is tied for eighth in school history in career relief appearances (40).
bears in the pros
Catcher Kelly Shoppach topped a list of five Baylor players taken in the 2001 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Shoppach was taken in the second round by the Boston Red Sox (48th overall), and was actually Boston's first pick of the draft.
Trevor Mote (15th round, Houston Astros), Matt Williams (15th round, St. Louis Cardinals) and Josh Scott (25th round, Philadelphia Phillies) each signed after completing their careers at Baylor.
First baseman Mike Huggins was taken in the 25th round by the Colorado Rockies, but elected to return for his junior season.
Three Baylor signees were also taken. Outfielder Alan Moye (3rd round, Cincinnati Reds) and infielder Josh Barfield (4th round, San Diego Padres) each chose to go pro, while LHP Trey Taylor turned down the Colorado Rockies, who used a supplemental pick before the third round on him.
Baylor alums and former first-round draft picks Jason Jennings and Kip Wells will enter 2002 contending for spots in major league rotations -- Jennings with the Rockies, and Wells with the Pittsburgh Pirates (after an offseason trade). In all, 15 former Bears are active at some level of professional baseball.
head coach steve smith
Head coach Steve Smith is in his eighth season as head coach at Baylor, in that time, he has compiled a 266-157-1 record. Smith led the Bears to their first-ever 50 win season in 1999 and a Big 12 Championship in 2000, and has piloted the team to four straight NCAA appearances. Through the 2001 season, Smith ranked 40th among active coaches in winning percentage with a .629 mark.
The 2000 Big 12 Coach of the Year, Smith came to Baylor from Mississippi State, where he was an assistant under Ron Polk for five seasons. Prior to that, he served as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M.
A former standout pitcher at Baylor in 1982-1983, Smith led the Southwest Conference with a 1.72 ERA as a junior, bettering league foes and future major leaguers Norm Charlton, Roger Clemens, Doug Drabek and Calvin Schiraldi.
An accomplished pitching coach, Smith has tutored five pitchers in the last 10 years who were selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft. He has also had at least one pitcher named to the all-conference first team in each of the last 10 years. In 1999, right-hander/designated hitter Jason Jennings won the Golden Spikes Award and was the 16th overall pick by the Colorado Rockies.
In Smith's seven full seasons as head coach, the Bears have produced three first-round draft picks, eight all-Americans, five GTE/CoSIDA Academic all-Americans, one GTE/CoSIDA Academic all-American of the Year, 21 first-team all-conference performers, three freshman all-Americans, and three conference players of the year. Baylor has also placed 25 players on the Academic All-Big 12 first team in the past five seasons.
baylor on the air
Catch every inning of Baylor baseball in 2002 on the flagship station for Baylor athletics, News/Talk Radio KRZI 1660/1580-AM.
John Morris, Baylor's Director of Broadcasting, heads up the team as he begins his seventh season as the "Voice of the Bears." Morris is also the signature voice for Baylor's football and men's basketball broadcasts and serves as co-host of the weekly TV show "Inside Baylor Sports."
Mark Rogers, a former Baylor pitcher and currently a sports reporter for KCEN-TV in Central Texas, enters his third season providing color commentary for the baseball broadcasts.
Pete Kenworthy, Sports Director and weekday sports anchor for KWTX-TV, Tom Barfield, Program Director and on-air personality for flagship station KRZI, and Trent Weaver, a Baylor baseball letterman in 1988-89, will also be a part of the broadcast team for several games.
All Baylor Baseball games in 2002 will be available world-wide on the internet at www.gobaylorbears.com. Baylor baseball is also a staple of the daily "Baylor SportsBeat" hosted by John Morris and airing weekdays at 7:25am and 5:25pm on KRZI 1660/1580-AM.
