May 29, 2005
Box Score
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Andy Gerch's sixth-inning bases-loaded sacrifice fly provided the game's lone run as No. 13 Baylor dropped a 1-0 decision to fourth-ranked Nebraska in Sunday's championship game at the Big 12 Conference Tournament at Bricktown Ballpark. Baylor (39-21) finishes as tournament runner-up for the fourth time, while Nebraska (51-13) claims its fourth tournament title.
Baylor, which also finished as tournament runner-up in 1999, 2000 and 2003, dropped its first game this season against a team ranked in the top 10. The Bears are 7-1 in such games.
The game was a classic pitchers' duel as both teams were held to just three hits. It was the first 1-0 decision in the nine-year history of the Big 12 Tournament.
Baylor starter Mark McCormick (7-3), who left Wednesday's first-round game against Kansas after sustaining a bruised thumb two outs into the first inning, tossed 6.0 innings and allowed one run on three hits and six walks with four strikeouts. Sunday was just Baylor's fourth loss in McCormick's 16 starts this season. Ryan LaMotta pitched the final 3.0 innings without allowing a run or a hit and striking out one.
However, Nebraska starter Brian Duensing was one step better. Duensing (7-0) threw 7.2 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Brett Jensen recorded the game's final four outs, including a strikeout of Josh Ford to end the game, for his 12th save of the season.
Neither team had many scoring chances. Baylor got out of jams in the first and the second with inning-ending double plays. However, the Bears could not escape the sixth unscathed. After a Joe Simokaitis leadoff single, Alex Gordon beat out Paul Witt's throw to first on a potential double-play ball. That proved key as Curtis Ledbetter followed with a single to right and Ryan Bohanan walked to load the bases for Gerch.
Zach Dillon and Michael Griffin both had doubles for the Bears. Ford provided Baylor's only other hit of the day, a one-out single up the middle in the fourth; however, he was erased when Dillon hit into an inning-ending double play.
LaMotta and Griffin both earned all-tournament honors.
Baylor now awaits word from the NCAA on postseason seeding. The NCAA will announce pairings for next weekend's regionals Monday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m. CDT on ESPN. Baylor learned Sunday afternoon that it will serve as a regional host for the third time since 1999.
NOTES: Baylor leads the all-time series 24-17-1, including a 16-13 advantage since the inception of the Big 12 Conference in 1997. Nebraska leads the series 5-3 in neutral-site meetings. Baylor is 17-13 against Nebraska under the direction of head coach Steve Smith. ... Baylor is 11-4 on Sunday; two of the four losses have been to Nebraska. ... The Bears are 31-10 when the starting pitcher goes at least 5.0 innings.
