March 1, 2003
Box Score
IRVINE, Calif. - Sludging through a back-and-forth game, eighth-ranked Baylor pulled away late for an 11-6 win over UC-Irvine Saturday night at Anteater Ballpark.
The Bears (11-3) won their eighth straight game, while UCI (4-9) dropped to 0-6 at home on the season.
Trailing 6-4 through six innings, the Bears erupted for four in the seventh, one in the eighth and two in the ninth for the 11-6 win. Baylor batted around in the seventh to make a winner out of reliever Ryan LaMotta (4-0) after starter Trey Taylor went the first 5 1/3 innings.
LaMotta escaped a jam in the sixth to keep the Bears within two runs of the Anteaters, but then walked the first two batters he faced in the seventh. Russell Reichenback took over for his fellow freshman and recorded two outs. Junior Zane Carlson took over for Reichenbach with the tying run on second and struck out second baseman Matt Fisher to get out of the mess with the lead.
Carlson finished out the game for his third save of the year, striking out four and allowing just one baserunner (a walk) in 2 1/3 innings. The Bears' career saves leader, Carlson now has 28 for his career, two shy of the Big 12 Conference career mark.
Freshman Kyle Reynolds led the Bears with three hits and three RBI on the day, both career highs for the rookie second baseman.
UCI made five errors on the night, but gave up only one unearned run. The Bears made a season-high three errors (two by Reynolds), leading to a pair of unearned runs.
Taylor allowed six hits and six runs (four earned), striking out a season-high six batters. UCI starter Brett Smith also allowed six runs, lasting six innings. Reliever Jimmy Alstot (1-2) took the loss, giving up two decisive runs in just 2/3 of an inning.
The Bears will go for the series sweep Sunday, with the game set for 1 p.m. CT.
NOTES: Baylor third base coach Steve Johnigan was ejected in the fourth inning after arguing an out call at third base... Chris Durbin went 0-for-5, snapping an eight-game hitting streak... Sophomore Mike Heldoorn made his first career start, opening the game at designated hitter.
