Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Baylor
Baylor Outlasts Cowboys 6-5 in Series Opener
April 27, 2001 | Cowboy Baseball
April 27, 2001
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's baseball team's late-inning heroics fell short on Friday night as the Baylor Bears slipped past the Cowboys 6-5 before 2,769 fans at Reynolds Stadium.
After falling behind 4-1, the Cowboys (33-14 overall and 12-10 in the Big 12) grabbed the lead in the seventh inning on a grand slam by first baseman Ali Modami. However, the Bears (32-16 and 15-7) pushed across a pair of runs in the eighth to escape with the win.
Baylor broke through first with a pair of runs in the second inning. Designated hitter Ron Zboril launched a solo home run over the right field fence and was followed by back-to-back doubles by first baseman Mike Huggins and right fielder David Murphy to plate BU's second run.
The Bears extended the lead to 4-0 in the top half of the third on a two-run blast by third baseman Matt Williams.
OSU got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Modami slapped a single through the left side to drive home third baseman Zach Cates.
In the seventh, Modami plated the game's next four runs with his four bagger to give the Pokes a 5-4 lead. Cates started the rally by reaching with a single followed by center fielder Toby Rhodes' walk. Catcher Matt Oakes loaded the bases on a fielder's choice. Oakes reached after BU catcher Kelly Shoppach fielded his sacrifice bunt attempt and failed to throw out Rhodes at second base.
Modami finished the contest with three of the Cowboys' five hits and drove home all five of their runs on the night.
Baylor knotted the game in the eighth when Mike Huggins' base hit chased home Matt Williams, who led off the inning with a double into the left-center field gap. Huggins came home with the winning run on a wild pitch by Cowboy reliever Shane Hawk.
Cowboy reliever Mike Miller took the loss and fell to 1-1 while the Bears' starter, Steven White improved to 10-1 after tossing 8.2 innings. BU's Paul Thorp notched his third save of the season.
The two teams will square off again in the series' middle game tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
