WACO, Texas – Senior Kanin Dodge went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs, and Lamar University bashed three home runs but the Cardinals were unable to rally from an early deficit. Baylor held on for an 11-5 victory Tuesday evening at Baylor Ballpark.
The Cardinals collected seven hits on the night, including multi-hit games from Dodge (2-for-5, HR) and Brayden Evans (2-for-5, HR). The Cardinals also got a home run from River Orsak (1-for-3, HR, two walks).
Junior Peyton Havard fell to 1-1 on the season after a rocky first inning that saw the Bears score four runs on four hits. After Baylor's early onslaught, the Cardinal bullpen settled down allowing just one run on three hits over the final 5.0 innings with a seven strike outs.
Unfortunately, Baylor jumped out to an early lead with a four spot in the bottom half of the first and pushed their lead to 10 runs in the third before beginning to battle their way back.
The rally started with a Kanin Dodge solo homer to left field. The senior was back at it again in the very next inning when he singled through the left side scoring a run. The Baylor left fielder bobbled the ball aiding in the run scoring.
Both teams were held scoreless until the seventh when Lamar struck for three. With one out in the inning, Orsak took the first pitch he saw over the wall in left center. Four pitches later Evans followed suit with another Big Red blast (this one to right center).
Trimming the deficit to 10-4, the Cardinals had more seventh-inning fight left in them. After a walk to Zak Skinner, Ethan Ruiz worked a full count and took the seventh pitch of the at-bat to the gap in left center plating one and trimming the deficit to 10-5.
The Cardinals went into the bottom half of the inning with all the momentum but unfortunately, Baylor was able to get one back in the bottom half of the inning. The Cardinals were unable to respond in their final two at-bats.
The Cardinals return to action Friday when they take on UIC in the Sugar Land Classic. The three-day tournament will see LU take on UIC, Stephen F. Austin (Saturday) and UTSA (Sunday).
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