Baylor baseball pulls off series win against No. 13 Cal Poly

Redshirt freshman leftfielder Kameron Esthay rounds the bases during Baylor baseball's 8-6 Opening Day win on Friday.
Jess Schurz | Lariat Photographer
Redshirt freshman leftfielder Kameron Esthay rounds the bases during Baylor baseball's 8-6 Opening Day win on Friday. Jess Schurz | Lariat Photographer
Redshirt freshman leftfielder Kameron Esthay rounds the bases during Baylor baseball’s 8-6 Opening Day win on Friday.
Jess Schurz | Lariat Photographer

By Jeffrey Swindoll
Sports Writer

Baylor Baseball earned its first series win of the 2015 season after another offense-heavy outing at Baylor Ballpark, where the Bears took its second-straight win over No. 13 Cal Poly 8-6 on Saturday.

Both teams put some swings on the ball early in the game. Senior pitcher Ryan Smith got into some trouble, putting two runners on base in the first inning. Fortunately for him, the Bears’ infield turned a double-play to end the inning, clearing the frame unscathed.

The top of Baylor’s order looked comfortable against Cal Poly starting pitcher Lee Slater and the Bears got off to another effective start on offense. Sophomore designated hitter Darryn Sheppard scored in the first inning off senior first baseman Duncan Wendel grounded a single up the middle. The Bears ended up taking a 5-1 lead at the end of the fourth inning.

The Mustangs’ cranked out four runs in the fifth inning, including a two-run homer to left center to tie the game at 5-5. The Bears took back a 7-6 lead after the Mustangs put themselves ahead for the first time in the game in the top of the sixth.

Senior closer Sean Spicer kept the Mustangs off the board for the remainder of the game. The Bears squeaked out one more insurance run off a sac fly to guarantee the series win.

The third and final game of the series starts at noon on Sunday at Baylor Ballpark.