March 26, 2005
STILLWATER, Okla. - Mark McCormick and Ryan LaMotta combined to hold Oklahoma State to four hits as No. 10 Baylor defeated the Cowboys 6-3 Saturday at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium. With the win, Baylor (16-9, 4-1) evens the Big 12 Conference series with Oklahoma State (18-8, 3-2).
McCormick (3-1) allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits and four walks with four strikeouts over 6.1 innings. LaMotta recorded the final eight outs, allowing only a walk with three strikeouts, to earn his first save of the season. Baylor is now 6-1 this in McCormick starts, including five straight wins.
Baylor took the game's first lead in the top of the third on a Josh Ford two-run homer high off the screen beyond the left-field wall. The lead was short-lived, though, as Oklahoma State plated two runs on two hits and a pair of Baylor errors in the bottom of the inning.
The score remained knotted at 2-2 until the top of the sixth when the Bears scored three runs on four hits and an OSU error. Kevin Russo got the scoring started with a two-run single up the middle. Two batters later, Paul Witt laced a two-out single into left to score Russo.
Baylor and Oklahoma State traded runs over the next inning. The Cowboys got a run in the bottom of the sixth on an Adam Carr two-out RBI single, but the Bears answered in the top of the seventh with a Zach Dillon sacrifice fly.
McCormick retired the first batter of the seventh, but walked the next batter on four straight pitches. That is when he gave way to LaMotta, who struck out Steve Ptak and got Chris Gutierrez to fly out, ending the inning.
Ford finished 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBI and was intentionally walked once. Russo also had two hits and two RBI on the day.
Oklahoma State starter Rick Rivas (1-1) was touched for five runs, four earned, on six hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 6.0 innings.
Baylor and Oklahoma State complete the three-game series Sunday at 2 p.m. CST. The Bears send southpaw Cory VanAllen (4-2) to the mound; Oklahoma State has not yet announced its starter.
NOTES: Oklahoma State leads the all-time series 28-18, including a 12-8 advantage in games played at Stillwater. ... Oklahoma State leads the series 16-13 since the inception of the Big 12 Conference. ... Josh Ford has reached safely in 20 consecutive games. ... Reid Brees' streak of games reaching base safely ended at 12. ... Ford's home run was the 30th of his career, tying teammate Michael Griffin and Jeremy Dodson (1996-98) for eighth all-time at Baylor.
