Feb. 12, 2003
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#10 Baylor Baseball (2-2, 0-0 Big 12)
at Minute Maid Park College Classic
Friday, Feb. 14 (3 p.m. CT) * vs. #13 Houston
Saturday, Feb. 15 (7 p.m. CT) * vs. #2 Rice
Sunday, Feb. 16 (3 p.m. CT) * vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Minute Maid Park * Houston, Texas
This Week in Baylor Baseball
Baylor heads south to Houston for the Minute Maid Park College Classic, hosted by the Houston Astros. The 10th-ranked Bears face No. 13 Houston Friday at 3 p.m., No. 2 Rice Saturday at 7 p.m. and unranked Louisiana-Lafayette Sunday at 3 p.m.
After dropping their first two games this season, the Bears are now 2-2 after taking a weekend series from Arizona in Tucson. Rice opened its 2003 season with a 6-4 win over UTSA on Tuesday. Houston went 1-2 to open the year at the Pepperdine Tournament last weekend, and Louisiana-Lafayette comes into the weekend at 2-2.
Tickets for the weekend are available through Astros.com or at Minute Maid Park's ticket office, at a cost of $12 for single-day passes cost ($6 for youth and students) or $30 for full-tournament packages ($15 for youth and students).
All Baylor baseball games are carried in Central Texas on KRZI 1660/1580 AM. Live stats are also available at www.BaylorBears.com, the official website of Baylor Athletics and a member of the Official College Sports Network.
Baylor in the Rankings
After a 2-2 start, Baylor treaded water in the rankings this week. The Bears held at No. 10 in Baseball America's poll and moved up two spots in the USA Today Sports Weekly/Coaches' Poll to No. 11. Baylor is also ranked 17th by Collegiate Baseball and 19th by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association (NCBWA).
With a preseason ranking of No. 10 (Baseball America), the Bears tied their highest preseason ranking in program history. (Baseball America also ranked Baylor 10th prior to the 2000 season.)
Baylor's best-ever final ranking is No. 6 (Collegiate Baseball, 1978), while the team's highest ranking at any time was No. 3 (Baseball America, May 8, 2000).
Last Time Out
Southwest Texas scored seven runs in the ninth to overcome a three-run deficit and defeat 10th-ranked Baylor 9-5 Feb. 4 in the Bears' season opener. Baylor led 5-2 going into the ninth, but three relievers were unable to close the door as the Bobcats rallied for seven runs in the final frame. Zane Carlson took the loss after giving up four runs on three hits while getting only two outs.
Arizona handed the Bears their second-straight loss Friday in the series opener, beating Baylor 7-4. The Bears once again led through four-and-a-half innings, but bullpen struggles cost the team. Starter Jared Theodorakos left the game with a 4-3 lead in the fifth, but Arizona scored three times in the inning and tacked on an insurance run in the sixth for the 7-4 win.
Saturday, a pair of clutch two-out hits by Chris Durbin and Trey Webb propelled Baylor past Arizona for its first win of the season, a 12-10, 10-inning affair. Durbin doubled in Paul Witt with two outs in the ninth to force extra innings, and Webb doubled in two runs with two outs in the 10th for the victory. Freshman Abe Woody pitched the final four innings and allowed just one run for his first collegiate win.
The Bears claimed the series win with an 11-9, 11-inning victory Sunday. Michael Griffin went 6-for-6 with six RBI to set a school record for hits in a game as head coach Steve Smith earned his 300th career victory. Baylor led 8-0 through three-and-a-half innings, but once again allowed Arizona to get back in the game and force extra innings. A pair of unearned runs in the 11th proved to be the difference.
Smith Earns Milestone Win
Baylor head coach Steve Smith earned his 300th career win Feb. 9 at Arizona, an 11-9, 11-inning victory. Now in his ninth season at the helm of the Bears, Smith holds a career-record of 300-182-1, all at Baylor.
Smith leads all Baylor coaches in career winning percentage (.622), and he trails only Baylor legend Mickey Sullivan among Bears' head coaches in total wins. Sullivan, whom Smith replaced in 1995, compiled a 649-428 record while helming the Bears from 1974-1994.
Griffin's Six Hits Set Record
Sophomore Michael Griffin went 6-for-6 Feb. 9 at Arizona, setting a new school record for hits in a game. Griffin broke the previous record of five hits, which had been accomplished 18 times, including once last season by teammate Trey Webb.
Griffin knocked out five singles and a home run in the Bears' 11-9, 11-inning win over the Wildcats and tied his career-high with six RBI.
Preseason Projections
Juniors David Murphy and Trey Webb were each dubbed preseason all-conference selections. Baseball America named both Bears to their preseason all-Big 12 team, while the Dallas Morning News named Webb a first-team shortstop and Murphy a second-team outfielder.
Freshman pitcher Mark McCormick was also recognized by each publication. The rookie earned preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year recognition from Baseball America and was named to the Dallas Morning News' list of 10 Big 12 Newcomers to Watch.
The Dallas Morning News, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, Sports Weekly/ESPN and even a survey of Big 12 coaches each named Baylor the No. 2 team in the Big 12 for 2003, behind only defending national champion Texas.
Bears Best in the Big 12
Over the past five years, the Bears have the best conference record of any team in the Big 12 Conference at 91-47 (.659). Included in those five seasons are one Big 12 championship (2000) and a pair of runner-up finishes (1998, 1999).
Since the start of the Big 12 Conference prior to the 1997 season, Baylor leads all conference schools in both first team All-Big 12 selections (18) and in first team Academic All-Big 12 selections (30).
Baseball America Preseason Honors
In its annual preseason publication, Baseball America awarded a number of honors to Baylor players. Included among those:
* Chris Durbin: Best Outfield Arm in the Big 12
* Mark McCormick: Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Big 12 Top Newcomer, No. 2 fastball in the Big 12
* David Murphy: Preseason All-Big 12, No. 3 Pure Hitter in the Big 12
* Trey Webb: Preseason All-Big 12, Best Defensive Shortstop in the Big 12, Best Infield Arm in the Big 12
Baylor and USA Baseball
Last fall, USA Baseball named Baylor the 26th-best program in the nation at providing players for the USA National Team.
Five Bears have played a total of six seasons wearing the Red, White and Blue: Pat Combs (1988), Jason Jennings (1997-98), Bryan Loeb (1998), Jon Topolski (1998) and Zane Carlson (2000).
Stanford, Miami, Cal State Fullerton, Southern California and Florida State were recognized as the top five programs based on their contributions to USA Baseball from 1984-2002.
Draft Dodgers
Six members of the 2003 Baylor squad have turned down opportunities to enter the world of pro ball in order to join up with the Bears:
Team Year Round TeamTrey Taylor 2001 2nd Colorado RockiesMark McCormick 2002 11th Baltimore OriolesSteven White 2002 18th Milwaukee BrewersRoss Bennett 1998 42nd Montreal ExposJared Theodorakos 2002 49th Colorado RockiesKyle Reynolds 2002 50th Arizona Diamondbacks
It's In Their Blood
As might be expected, a number of this year's Bears have sports -- baseball or otherwise -- in their blood. Notable examples:
Freshman infielder Kyle Reynolds' father Craig played fifteen seasons in the major leagues (1975-1989), including 11 with the Houston Astros. Craig was selected for the 1978 and 1979 Major League All-Star Games.
Redshirt sophomore Reid Brees' brother Drew became a household name among college football fans when he finished third in the 2000 Heisman voting while at Purdue. Drew is now the starting quarterback for the San Diego Chargers.
Freshman Russell Reichenbach's uncle, Mickey Reichenbach, was named the 1975 College World Series MVP while a sophomore at Texas. A four-year lettermen for the Longhorns, Mickey hit .455 with three doubles and a home run to earn MVP honors.
Baylor Developing Pro Prospects
Baseball America/Perfect Game recently recognized Baylor as one of the top programs in the nation at producing top professional prospects.
In BA/PG's list of the Top 100 Professional Prospects for in College Baseball for the 2003 and 2004 drafts, Baylor was one of only six schools in the nation to have three or more prospects listed among the Top 100 in both 2003 and 2004. (The others: Arizona State, Rice, Stanford, Texas and Southern California).
Baylor Ballpark No. 3 Stadium in the Nation
Baylor Ballpark was named the No. 3 collegiate baseball park in the country in a nationwide survey of college coaches released by Baseball America in January.
In voting by the nation's coaches, Baylor Ballpark placed third, just behind Auburn's Plainsman Park and Arkansas' Baum Stadium. Nebraska's Haymarket Park and LSU's Alex Box Stadium rounded out the top five.
College media relations contacts were also asked to vote on their favorite stadiums. Baylor Ballpark finished fourth in that survey, behind Auburn, Mississippi State's Dudy Noble Field and Arkansas.
The survey asked coaches and media relations contacts to rank their top 10 parks based on aesthetics, facilities (dugout, locker rooms, extra cages/bullpens, etc.), fan amenities, playing conditions and tradition.
Durbin's Bat Rewriting Baylor Recordbook
Senior Chris Durbin continues to make his mark on the Baylor recordbook. Durbin's career average of .343 ranks seventh all-time in program history. The centerfielder also ranks highly in several other categories, including career doubles (4th, 58) and career home runs (9th, 24).
Durbin also holds the school single-season doubles record, having pounded out 25 two-base hits in both 2001 and 2002.
White Moving Up the Charts
Senior starter Steven White has put his name into the Baylor recordbooks, ranking among the top 10 in multiple career records. White is within reach of setting a new school record for career starts; he is currently fourth with 42 career starts, eight shy of Josh Scott's record of 50.
White is also 10th in career strikeouts with 198 and sits just outside the top 10 with 19 career wins.
Closer Carlson Extending Saves Record
After setting the Baylor career and single-season saves records with 15 as a freshman in 2000, junior closer Zane Carlson continues to build on his record career total. Carlson saved eight games in 2001 but was held without a save last season before succumbing to surgery in April and receiving a medical redshirt.
Tough Schedule? So What's New?
As has become the norm for teams under head coach Steve Smith, the Bears are facing yet another tough schedule in 2003.
Nine of the Bears' 2002 opponents qualified for the NCAA Tournament a year ago: Houston, Long Beach State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rice, Southern California, Texas and Texas Tech. Of those, Nebraska, Rice and Texas each advanced to the College World Series last year, with the Longhorns coming away as national champions.
Baylor's Jennings 2002 NL Rookie of the Year
Baylor alum and current Colorado pitcher Jason Jennings was named the 2002 National League Rookie of the Year, as voted on by a panel of the Baseball Writers' Association of America
The 24-year-old Jennings went 16-8 with a 4.52 ERA and became the first Colorado player to win the award. He got 27 first place votes and five seconds for 150 points in voting by the BBWAA.
The award came as no surprise to Baylor fans, who saw Jennings named consensus National Collegiate Player of the Year after compiling a 13-2 record, 2.58 ERA and 172 strikeouts in 146.2 innings as a junior in 1999. Jennings also served as the Bears' DH, hitting .386 with 17 home runs and 68 RBI that season. Following his outstanding year, Jennings was drafted in the first round (16th overall pick) by the Rockies.
A three-year starter, Jennings holds Baylor records for wins in a season (13), innings pitched in a season (146.2) and strikeouts in a season (172) and in a career (377). He is second in career wins (27) and career saves (13), third in career home runs (39) and fourth in career batting average (.344).
Baylor Alums in the Pros
19 former Bears will begin the 2003 season at some level of professional ball. Leading the way are former first-round picks Jason Jennings and Kip Wells, who are leading members of the rotations for the Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates, respectively.
In 2002, Jennings won National League Rookie of the Year honors after going 16-8 with a 4.52 ERA (see above note). Wells, meanwhile, was honored as the Houston-Area Major League Pitcher of the Year.
For a complete list of Baylor alums in the pros, see the sidebar on page five of these notes.
O Captain, My Captain
Senior Jared Theodorakos and junior David Murphy have been selected by their teammates as team captains for the 2003 season.
Head Coach Steve Smith
Head coach Steve Smith is in his ninth season as head coach at Baylor in 2003; in that time, he has compiled a 300-182-1 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 five straight NCAA appearances. Through the 2002 season, Smith ranked 39th among active coaches in winning percentage with a .623 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 six pitchers in the last 11 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 11 years.
In Smith's eight full seasons as head coach, the Bears have produced three first-round draft picks, nine all-Americans, five Academic All-Americans, one National Player of the Year, one GTE/CoSIDA Academic all-American of the Year, 22 first-team all-conference performers, seven freshman all-Americans, and three conference players of the year. Baylor has also placed 30 players on the Academic All-Big 12 first team in the past six seasons, a number that leads the Big 12.
Baylor on the Air
Catch every inning of Baylor baseball in 2003 on the flagship station for Baylor athletics, News/Talk Radio KRZI 1660/1580-AM.
Tom Barfield and Lark Smith begin their first season together as the primary play-by-play and color men for Baylor baseball. Barfield, the operations manager for KRZI/KRZX and KLRK-FM in Waco, is best known as co-host of the afternoon "You Make the Call" call-in show. Barfield saw his first action calling Baylor baseball last season, when he and Smith called the Bears' sweep of Southern California at Dodger Stadium.
Smith, whose attachment to Baylor baseball dates back to the days of coach Dutch Schroeder, was Sports Director for the Baylor campus radio station in the late 1970s and served as play-by-play voice for the Bears' 1977 and 1978 College World Series teams. After nearly two decades in broadcasting, Smith now works for the Heart O'Texas Federal Credit Union in Waco.
All Baylor Baseball games in 2003 will be available on the internet at www.BaylorBears.com. BU baseball is also a staple of the daily "Baylor SportsBeat" hosted by Morris and airing weekdays at 7:25am and 5:25pm on KRZI 1660/1580-AM.
Inside Baylor Sports
"Inside Baylor Sports", a half-hour look at the world of Baylor athletics, airs weekly throughout Central Texas and the region. The program, co-hosted by John Morris and Lori Scott-Fogleman, airs on KCEN-TV Channel 6, Fox Sports Net Southwest and the College Channel (Waco cable channel 18). KCEN carries the show at 10:30 p.m. Sundays, and it airs at 1 p.m. Wednesdays on FSN Southwest.
BaylorBears.com
Baylor's official athletic web site can be found at www.BaylorBears.com. The comprehensive site, which includes releases, photos, biographical sketches and audio broadcasts, is part of the Official College Sports Network. OCSN currently hosts sites for more than 100 universities, including eight Big 12 schools.
Live scoring updates are available on BaylorBears.com for all Baylor baseball home games and select road games.
