LUBBOCK, TX — The No. 18 Bears fell 13-3 in seven innings to drop the series at No. 22 Texas Tech on Saturday afternoon at Rip Griffin Park.
Davis Wendzel went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs, including a two-run home run to lead the Bears (26-12, 9-5). Shea Langeliers was the only other Bear to have a multi-hit day, as he also tallied two hits. Overall, the top six hitters in the Bears’ lineup had at least one hit on the day.
The Red Raiders (25-13, 8-7) jumped on the Bears early, getting to freshman starter Blake Helton as they put up four runs in the bottom of the first and five in the bottom of the second to put the Bears in a 9-0 hole early that they were unable to overcome. Cameron Warren and Dylan Neuse hit grand slams in the first and second innings, respectively.
The Bears answered with a two-spot in the top of the third on Wendzel’s home run, his eighth of the year to put the Bears on the board, 9-2.
The Red Raiders added one on an RBI double in the fourth to put the Bears down, 10-2.
One bright spot on the day was reliever Jacob Ashkinos, who tossed a career-best 4.0 innings in relief, allowing just the one run in the fourth inning, scattering three hits while striking out four and walking just three.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Bears added a third run on a sac fly by Nick Loftin to pull within seven, 10-3.
However, in the bottom half of the seventh Neuse connected on his second homer of the day off reliever Hayden Kettler, this one a three-run home run and with the Bears training 13-3 on getaway day, the run rule was in play and the Bears dropped the rubber game.
Baylor starter Blake Helton took the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year, while Red Raider starter Caleb Killian earned the win to improve to 6-2.
