May 22, 2005
Box Score
WACO, Texas - No. 20 Missouri scored nine runs in the final two innings to rally and defeat No. 8 Baylor 10-4 in Sunday's Big 12 Conference series finale at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears (36-20, 19-8) suffer their first home series loss in conference play this season, while the Tigers (37-19, 16-11) posted their first road series win since sweeping at Kansas State to open Big 12 play.
Baylor led 3-1 with two outs in the top of the eighth. However, back-to-back doubles by Trevor Helms and Derek Chambers started the rally for the Tigers, who plated six runs on four hits in the eighth. Kevin Russo pulled the Bears to within three at 7-4 with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning, but Missouri put the game away with a three-spot in the top of the ninth.
In the past four seasons, only one Big 12 team has won a three-game series at Baylor Ballpark; Missouri did so in 2003 and again this season, winning 7-4 Saturday after Baylor's 7-5 win in Friday's series opener.
Baylor's loss coupled with Nebraska's 3-1 win Sunday at home against Kansas State means the Bears and the Huskers are co-champions, the first time in the league's nine-season history that two teams have tied for the title. However, Nebraska earns the No. 1 seed at this week's Big 12 Tournament by virtue of winning the regular-season series with Baylor two-games-to-one at Lincoln last month.
Missouri scored the game's first run in the top of the first inning. With one out, Chambers walked, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a James Boone double off the wall in left.
The Bears took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Zach Dillon drew a bases-loaded walk and Kevin Russo followed with an RBI infield single. Baylor added an unearned run in the fourth when Jeff Mandel reached on a bunt single, moved to third on an errant throw and then scored on a Michael Griffin single up the middle.
Baylor starter Cory VanAllen recorded a career-high nine strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work. He allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and three walks and did not factor in the decision. Ryan LaMotta (5-1), who faced three batters in the eighth, suffered the loss.
Missouri starter Taylor Parker was touched for two runs on two hits and four walks with three strikeouts in 3.0 innings. Doug Mathis (5-4) took the victory, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work.
Baylor now turns its attention to the Big 12 Conference Tournament, held later this week at Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. The Bears face seventh-seeded Kansas in Wednesday's first round at 1 p.m. CDT. Baylor swept the season series against Kansas at Lawrence.
