April 1, 2005
Box Score
WACO, Texas - Ryan LaMotta matched his career high with six strikeouts, earning the victory in relief as No. 10 Baylor defeated Oklahoma 5-3 in the Big 12 Conference series opener at Baylor Ballpark. Baylor (18-10, 5-2) wins its eighth consecutive Big 12 game at home, while Oklahoma (16-10, 2-2) drops its second straight series opener.
A two-out Josh Ford single through the right side plated Kevin Sevigny to break at 3-3 tie in the bottom of the seventh. The Bears added an insurance run in the eighth when Reid Brees tripled and later scored on a Mike Pankratz groundout.
Meanwhile, LaMotta (4-0) kept the Sooners handcuffed over the game's final 10 outs. In 3.1 innings, he faced the minimum and did not allow a base runner. LaMotta worked in relief of starter Trey Taylor, who was touched for three runs on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
All of the damage against Taylor came with two outs in the top of the third, immediately after Baylor took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second on RBI singles by Pankratz and Sevigny. With two outs and the bases empty in the third, five consecutive Oklahoma batters reached base thanks to three singles and a pair of walks. The Sooners scored their first run on a wild pitch and then took the lead on a Ryan Rohlinger two-run single.
Taylor retired nine of the next 10 batters he faced before back-to-back two-out walks in the sixth. That is when LaMotta entered the game, striking out Jackson Williams looking to end the threat. Rohlinger reached on an error to lead off the second inning. Each of the Sooners eight other base runners on the night reached with two outs.
Oklahoma starter Steven Guerra (3-2) was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts over 7.0 innings.
Ford and Brees had two hits each, while Pankratz and Sevigny both drove in two runs.
Baylor and Oklahoma meet again Saturday at 6 p.m. CST. The Bears send right-hander Mark McCormick (3-1) to the mound, opposite Sooner right-hander Brad Burns (1-0).
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 26-22, including an 18-8 advantage in games played in Waco. The Bears are 15-11 against the Sooners since the inception of the Big 12 Conference in 1997 and 16-16 against OU during head coach Steve Smith's tenure. ... Baylor has won five straight home games against Oklahoma. The Bears are 10-3 at home against the Sooners since the inception of the Big 12. ... Baylor improves to 15-3 when the starting pitcher goes at least 5.0 innings and 11-1 when scoring first. ... The Bears are now 4-4 on Friday and 5-3 in Taylor's eight starts. ... Baylor improves to 15-0 this season when leading later than the sixth inning. ... Ford has reached safely in 23 consecutive games and in 27 of 28 games this season. ... LaMotta has pitched scoreless ball in 12 of 14 apperances this season and has not allowed a run in eight consecutive outings (16.2 innings). ... Taylor's first strikeout, the second out of the first inning, was the 200th strikeout of his career. ... Friday was Taylor's 42nd career start, moving into sole possession of fifth place all-time at Baylor. ... Friday was LaMotta's 73rd career appearance, tying Josh Scott (1998-01) for eighth in Baylor history.
