March 8, 2009
Box Score | Quotes | 
WACO, Texas -- Aaron Miller's first career grand slam tied the game, and Adam Hornung's RBI double was the game-winner as sixth-ranked Baylor rallied from a seven-run deficit for an 11-8 victory over UAB in Sunday's final game of fourth-annual QTI Baylor Classic. It was the Bears' largest comeback since overcoming a seven-run deficit against Tulane at the 2005 College World Series.
Baylor (10-2) trailed 7-0 with two outs and a runner at third in the bottom of the sixth. Miller drew a bases-loaded walk, and Shaver Hansen followed with a three-run homer to pull the Bears to within four runs. UAB (4-6) answered in the top of the seventh as Cody McMurry scored Jonathan Merritt on a bases-loaded RBI fielder's choice.
However, the Bears erased the lead in the bottom of the seventh. UAB reliever James Oliver walked the bases loaded with one out and then walked Dustin Dickerson to force home a run with two outs in the frame. Nick Graffeo then spelled Oliver; Miller pounced on Graffeo's first pitch, drilling a changeup over the right-centerfield wall for his second home run of the weekend and his fifth career homer in the QTI Baylor Classic.
Miller's blast tied the game at 8-8, but the Bears were not finished in the inning. Hansen was hit by a pitch on a 1-2 count, and Adam Hornung followed with an RBI double to give Baylor a 9-8 lead.
Brooks Pinckard, who started the game in center field and then moved to the mound in the top of the seventh as the Bears' fifth reliever of the game, closed the door from there and earned the win. Pinckard (2-0) allowed one infield single and no walks with two strikeouts over 2.2 scoreless innings. He retired the side in order in the eighth, the only inning in which Baylor pitchers accomplished the feat all day.
Baylor added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Raynor Campbell blasted a one-out solo homer. Joey Hainsfurther later doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk.
Graffeo (0-1) was the third of six pitchers for UAB and took the loss; he allowed two runs on two hits and logged a strikeout for the only out he recorded.
Jon Ringenberg started on the mound for the Bears but did not escape the fourth inning. He allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 3.2 innings.
UAB starter Beau Pender handcuffed the Bears much of the day, tossing a no-hitter through the game's first five innings. Pinckard broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the sixth. In the end, Pender allowed three runs on three this and three walks with eight strikeouts over 8.0 innings.
The Blazers posted single spots in the first, third and fourth innings to take a 3-0 lead. UAB pushed its lead to 6-0 in the fifth on Digger Towe's two-run homer and a Jamal Austin RBI fielder's choice. Nick Crawford opened the sixth with a walk, and Brint Hardy followed with an RBI double to push UAB's lead to 7-0.
Miller was named 2009 QTI Baylor Classic Most Outstanding Player, going 4-for-8 with two home runs, eight RBI, six runs scored and four walks in the three games. He was joined on the all-tournament team by pitchers Kendal Volz and Logan Verrett, Dickerson, Hansen and Hainsfurther. Miller was named the event's most outstanding player for the second consecutive year.
Baylor returns to action Wednesday, traveling to Austin, Texas, for a non-conference game at second-ranked Texas. First pitch between the Bears and the Longhorns (12-1) is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
NOTES: This was the first-ever meeting between the two programs. ... Baylor improved to 10-2 all-time in the QTI Baylor Classic. ... Miller's grand slam was Baylor's first since Hansen's slam against Purdue in the second game of last season (Feb. 23). ... Miller's grand slam also extended his hitting streak to eight games, a career-long run. ... Hainsfurther (six games) and Campbell (three games) also extended hitting streaks, while Gregg Glime saw his three-game streak end.
