May 13, 2005
Box Score
WACO, Texas - Kevin Russo's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth plated pinch runner Chase Gerdes and capped Baylor's biggest comeback victory since 2001 as the 10th-ranked Bears defeated Texas A&M 10-9 Friday night at Baylor Ballpark. Baylor (32-18, 16-6) remains in first place in the Big 12 Conference standings; the Bears are one game ahead of Nebraska, which defeated Texas Tech 9-4 Friday night at Lubbock.
Baylor found itself in a hole after Texas A&M (29-21-1, 8-14) scored eight runs on six hits in the top of the third. However, the Bears immediately began chipping away at the deficit, scoring three runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning. Baylor pulled to within three runs in the fifth and pulled to within a run with another two-spot in the seventh.
Texas A&M added an insurance run in the top of the eighth, but it was not enough to overcome Baylor's three unearned runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Baylor's ninth-inning rally started with the first batter as Paul Witt reached second base when Texas A&M centerfielder Brandon Glover dropped a fly ball in right-center. After Michael Griffin was hit by a pitch, Josh Ford reached on an infield single to load the bases.
Zach Dillon drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Witt from third and pulling the Bears to within one at 9-8. Reid Brees then scored Griffin with a sacrifice fly to right field, pushing Gerdes, who pinch ran for Ford, to third. That set the stage for Russo's heroics.
It was Baylor's largest deficit overcome for a victory since the 2001 Regional at Reckling Park in Houston. In that game, the Bears trailed Rice 9-0 after seven innings before scoring five runs in the eighth and six runs in the ninth to make a winner of reliever Jay Lockett.
This time, it was reliever Abe Woody who benefited from the comeback for his staff-leading seventh victory of the season. Woody (7-3) entered the game with runners at second and third and two outs in the eighth. After issuing a wild pitch that plated the Aggies' ninth run, Woody struck out Glover to escape the jam.
However, it was reliever Jeff Mandel who gave the Bears a chance to win the game. Mandel stopped the bleeding in the third and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with one strikeout over 5.0 innings. He spelled starter Mark McCormick, who lasted only 2.2 innings and was touched for seven runs on four hits, two walks and two hit batters.
Kevin Whelan (3-1) was saddled with the tough-luck loss as all three runs he allowed in the ninth were unearned. Texas A&M starter Robert Ray allowed five runs, three earned, on six hits in 5.0 innings.
Ford finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBI and two doubles. Dillon was 2-for-4 with three RBI.
Baylor and Texas A&M continue their three-game series Saturday as the series shifts to College Station. The Bears and the Aggies meet at 7 p.m. CDT at Olsen Field. It will be dueling southpaws as Baylor sends Trey Taylor (4-4, 3.27 ERA) to the mound, opposite Texas A&M's Jason Meyer (5-3, 3.03 ERA).
NOTES: Texas A&M leads the all-time series 138-108-1. Baylor holds a 70-66 advantage in games played in Waco. The Bears are 16-11 against the Aggies since the inception of the Big 12 Conference in 1997 and 19-17 against Texas A&M under head coach Steve Smith. ... Baylor is 18-8 this season at Baylor Ballpark, 10-2 in Big 12 play. ... The Bears are 10-3 in games started by McCormick. ... Baylor is 8-5 on Friday, 6-2 in Big 12 play. ... With Friday's start, Griffin ties Jon Topolski (1996-99) for second all-time at Baylor with 239 career games started. Griffin also joins Matt Williams (1998-01) and Preston Underdown (1997-00) as the only Baylor players to start at least 100 career Big 12 games. ... With two doubles, Ford moved into 10th place all-time at Baylor with 49 on his career. ... Ford also became just the eighth player in Baylor history to reach the 400 career total bases plateau; he now has 402 on his career. ... Griffin's fifth-inning single was the 300th hit of his career. ... With one RBI Friday, Griffin tied Eric Nelson's (1996-99) Baylor record for career RBI in Big 12 play (82). ... Woody's appearance was the 80th of his career, tying Brett Bergman (1995-98) for sixth all-time at Baylor. ... Griffin tied his career high with three runs scored. ... McCormick's outing was his shortest start since lasting 1.2 innings May 28, 2004, against Oklahoma at the Big 12 Tournament. The seven earned runs were the most he has allowed in a game as a Bear. He had allowed seven earned runs in his previous 28.1 innings this season.
