Feb. 9, 2003
Box Score
TUCSON, Ariz. - Michael Griffin set a new school record with six hits in a game as 10th-ranked Baylor pulled out an 11-9, 11-inning win over Arizona Sunday in the series finale at Frank Sancet Field.
The Bears (2-2) earned the series win after squandering an early 8-0 lead over the Wildcats (3-3) Sunday afternoon. The victory was Baylor head coach Steve Smith's 300th career win.
Baylor jumped on top early, scoring four times in the first, including a three-run homer by Griffin. The Bears tacked on three more runs in the third, fueled by Zach Dillon's two-run double. Josh Ford singled in a run in the fourth as the Bears went on top 8-0.
After allowing only one hit to the first 12 batters he faced, Baylor starter Steven White gave up back-to-back singles to lead off the fourth. Arizona first baseman Jordan Brown followed with a three-run homer to cut the lead to 8-3.
The Wildcats scored twice more off White in the sixth, then tied the game in the seventh off relievers Russell Reichenbach and Zane Carlson. Baylor led 8-6 with two outs in the seventh, but Arizona had two men on when Arizona leadoff man Brad Boyer hit a routine fly ball to right that Baylor right fielder David Murphy completely lost in the sun. Both runners scored as the ball landed safely for a double and Arizona tied the game at 8-8.
The Bears put together three singles in the ninth to take a one-run lead, but a two-out double by third baseman Trevor Crowe once more tied the game and forced the Bears' second-straight extra-inning game.
In the 11th, Baylor scored two unearned runs. Griffin and Trey Webb each singled in runs as the Bears put together the winning rally.
Freshman Ryan LaMotta (1-0) picked up his first collegiate win, pitching the final two innings and holding Arizona to just one walk and no runs. LaMotta struck out two and did not allow a hit.
Arizona reliever Derek Rodriguez (0-1) took the loss after giving up just the two unearned runs in the 11th. Richie Gardner went the first nine innings for the Wildcats, giving up nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits, striking out six.
Griffin's six hits in Sunday's game broke a Baylor record held by many, including teammate Trey Webb. Griffin also tied his career high with six RBI.
Smith became the second coach in Baylor baseball history to reach 300 wins, joining longtime Bears skipper Mickey Sullivan. With a career record of 300-182-1, Smith's winning percentage of .622 is the best among Baylor coaches with at least five seasons at the helm.
Baylor now takes the week off before heading to Houston on the weekend for the third annual Astros College Classic, held at Minute Maid Park. The Bears face No. 7 Houston Friday at 3 p.m., No. 2 Rice Saturday at 7 p.m. and unranked Louisiana-Lafayette Sunday at 3 p.m.
