By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorThere are moments that define a baseball program — moments that stay in the minds of players, coaches and fans alike and add to their love of the game.One of those defining moments in Baylor baseball history happened on June 21, 2005. On that day the Bears came back from a 7-0 deficit to beat top-ranked Tulane 8-7 in the College World Series.The story of that comeback victory, which took place at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium on South 13th Street in Omaha, Neb., on a muggy 90-degree summer night, actually began two years before in 2003.The…
Author: Dj Ramirez
By DJ Ramirez | Sports Editor Growing up over 300 miles apart and playing for rivaling club soccer teams, Baylor freshmen Mackenzie Anthony and Gabby Mueller never imagined they would end up on the same college roster. “I think that was like the biggest thing, was just how not common this is and now we’re roomies,” Mueller said. Although their soccer stories began very differently, somehow Mueller and Anthony ended up in the same place. They both started playing the sport at the age of five, but while it took Anthony a little longer to realize college soccer was where…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports Editor The Bears are going on a hunting trip to Morgantown, W.Va., looking to add their first road win against the Mountaineers to the column. Here are three storylines to follow leading into Baylor’s matchup with West Virginia.No Fans. No Problem.While it might feel weird to play in an empty stadium, Baylor football is just focusing on the field. During his Monday press conference, head coach Dave Aranda said he wants the Bears to worry only about themselves.“How we handle the day-to-day, how we handle our walk-throughs, how we handle our meetings, how we handle…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports Editor It took 16 seconds into the second half for Trestan Ebner to spur the Baylor crowd into a frenzy during the Bears’ 47-14 victory over Kansas Saturday night at McLane Stadium. After receiving the 65-yard kickoff off the foot of Jayhawks kicker Liam Jones, Ebner made a mad end zone-to-end zone dash, making cuts and avoiding tackles to put Baylor football ahead 24-7. Looking back at that moment half a week later, there’s no doubt that Ebner stole the show on Saturday and deserves credit for propelling the Bears into the season-opening victory. Just…
This is not a drill! We finally had a full slate of Big 12 sports this weekend and it was beautiful. Here’s this week’s Roundup:BaylorWith a 47-14 victory over his former boss, Dave Aranda became the first full-time head coach since Chick Reedy in 1993 to win in his debut game. On four touchdowns from Trestan Ebener, and two more from John Lovett and Craig “Sqwirl” Williams, the Bears obliterated Kansas in their season opener. Ebner earned Special Teams Players of the Week after two spectacular kickoff return touchdowns. Lariat Sports has you covered with a game recap by sports…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorBaylor football earned Dave Aranda his first win as head coach with a 47-14 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday at McLane Stadium.Senior running back Tresten Ebner made his mark on Baylor history, scoring four touchdowns on the night, including two on special teams. Ebner became the first player to score a return TD in seven years and the first two score two in the same game.It’s also the first time in Big 12 history that has scored three different kinds of touchdowns in the same game: one rushing, one received and two on returns.…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports Editor, Video by Tim Longoria | Broadcast Reporter Third time’s the charm, right? For the third time this month, Baylor football stands on the eve of its first football game. The Bears will face Kansas at home for the season and conference opener. Here are three storylines to follow going into this week’s matchup. First Game Jitters? No way! While the Bears have yet to hit the field, Kansas has gotten the first-game jitters out of the way after a 38-23 loss to Coastal Carolina on Sept. 12. However, Baylor isn’t nervous for the challenge…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports Editor, Video by Tim Longoria | Broadcast Reporter Frustration and disappointment abounded Friday after the Baylor football program postponed its season opener against Houston less than 24 hours before kickoff. In accordance with Big 12 guidelines, Baylor decided to call off the game for the safety of the players, coaches and staff on both teams. Athletic director Mack Rhoades told local media on Monday that the game could have technically still taken place despite the Bears not meeting the required number of players in a particular position group per Big 12 protocol, but the staff…
Cross country earns sweep of ACU in dual meetBaylor cross country edged out ACU in a dual meet Friday in Abilene with personal bests by junior Celia Holmes and senior Connor Laktasic. Holmes took the individual title in the women’s 5K with a time of 17:15.80 while Laktasic took the men’s 8K with a time of 24:46.60.Holmes was followed by her senior Sarah Antrich in third (17:44.09), freshman Lily Jacobs in fourth (17:47.37), freshman Kendall Mansukhani in sixth (18:04.11) and freshman Anna Gardner in seventh (18:15.41) to score points for the Bears in the 5K. Junior Ryan Day came in…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorBaylor is one sleep away from game day. And since we know you have all been waiting for kickoff like kids on Christmas morning, here are three storylines to feed your football hunger.A Historic MeetingNot only has Baylor not played Houston in 25 years but it also has never had to schedule a game in such a limited amount of time. 18 hours was all it took for the deal to come together. As Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades was beginning to run out of options, the possibility that his former program would be open…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorMost hopeless romantics say their expectations of life were shaped by fairytales and Disney movies, but if you grew up Mexican American like me, your delusions were probably shaped by the drama, intrigue and plain audacity of Mexican telenovelas.Part of my love for storytelling was born from years of tuning in obsessively to telenovelas every weeknight on Univision. In my opinion, the 2000s and early 2010s were a golden era of Mexican television. So, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, here are five telenovela recommendations to get you hooked.Amor Real – Real Love (2003)I was…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorThe stars aligned.First, 38 Louisiana Tech players tested positive for COVID-19 leading up to the highly anticipated meeting between Baylor football and the Bulldogs. Then, news surfaced that Memphis was in the midst of dealing with a coronavirus outbreak after their meeting with Arkansas State, leaving the University of Houston without an opponent on Sept. 18.So, the stage was set for two old conference rivals to meet once again.The Bears and the Cougars will face off for the first time since the end of the Southwestern Conference.Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said the team experienced…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorWhile Baylor football had to sit out this weekend after the postponement of its game against Louisiana Tech, the rest of the conference kicked off without much of a hitch. Catch up on everything you need to know in the first edition of the Big 12 Sports Roundup!BaylorWe didn’t have football but we did have fútbol! Baylor women’s soccer had the pleasure of being the first live sport back on campus. The Bears opened the season with a double-overtime draw against the TCU Horned Frogs in senior goalkeeper Jennifer Wandt’s 26th career shoutout. Read our…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorI’m a huge birthday person.Some of my earliest childhood memories revolve around piñatas full of candy and birthday cake up my nose (which is probably where some of my trust issues stem from).I believe everyone should feel that their birthday is an important day. It is the day you came into the world, after all. But there comes a point in our lives where it feels like they’re no longer special — like our lives aren’t meant to be celebrated anymore.I understand that for many people, birthdays never felt like they mattered. Sometimes they bring…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorBaylor men’s basketball’s Jared Butler was named to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee Tuesday, and will begin serving as one of only two student-athlete representatives.The committee is responsible for maintaining oversight of men’s basketball programs at the Division I level and “enhancing the development and public perception of the sport and making recommendations related to regular-season and postseason men’s basketball.” It also works to enhance the academic and athletic experience of student athletes as well as provide direction to the Division I Men’s basketball Rules Committee, according to the NCAA website. In…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports Editor It’s almost time for football to return to the banks of the Brazos River. Kickoff for Baylor football’s opening game against Louisiana Tech was announced Tuesday so the Bears and the Bulldogs have a date with destiny at 11 a.m. on Sept. 12.According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Baylor has a 85.3 % chance of coming out the winner in the opener. But with just one week left until game time junior linebacker Terrel Bernard said there are still a few things the Bears have to iron out during the team’s scrimmage this weekend.…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorWe tend to remember people for their greatest deeds, for the way they impacted the world.So if that’s the case, Chadwick Boseman is a man who will never be forgotten. The 43-year-old actor who portrayed icons and kings on the big screen and inspired innumerable people around the world through his work died Saturday after a four-year battle with colon cancer.It was a shock to many, as Boseman had kept his illness a secret, continuing to work on films while undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy sessions in between. And you wouldn’t have known it, because through…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorUnited.Baylor student athletes wear the same name in the front of their uniforms in every game, match, race and competition. They practice in the same facilities and condition in the same weight rooms. They sit together in the same cafeteria. They are united under the same brand identity.But Monday afternoon, Baylor’s student athletes came together to march in protest of social injustice. Whether they spend their days on a diamond, field, court or track, the Bears wanted to show that they were united for change. That they were united for each other.The march, led once…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorThe Baylor football team held a march Thursday afternoon instead of practice to bring light to social injustice. After the march, the team released a statement on the Baylor football Twitter account detailing the reason for their decision.“Baylor football student-athletes decided as a team to forgo practice Thursday, to unite around the on-going events in our country,” the Tweet read. “In lieu of practice, the team instead had an open conversation about how to come together as one to unite against social injustice, to discuss practical ways to support hurting teammates, and to take time…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorIt seems like Baylor football has yet to hop off the transfer train as the Bears received a new offensive line commitment in UCLA’s Jake Burton Tuesday night.Burton, a consistent starter in the Bruins O-line the past two seasons, announced his commitment via Twitter, thanking his family and friends, as well as his UCLA coaches and teammates for their support during his time on the team.“I was looking forward to finishing my college career with my Bruin teammates,” Burton said. “Due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, that is not possible this year. After much thought,…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorBaylor soccer released its amended 2020 schedule after the Big 12 announced a conference-only slate for the fall. The Bears will play one match per week over a nine week period beginning Sept. 11.Head coach Paul Jobson said it might be a little different going straight into the season without having played an exhibition match or non-conference match.“First of all, we’re excited to be playing,” Jobson said. “It will be interesting stepping onto the field for the first time without any type of exhibition or non-conference match right into it, but I think that’s a…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorIt’s beginning to look a lot like football season. After losing spring practices due to the pandemic and going through walk-throughs and organized team activities late in the summer, Baylor football is finally putting on the pads and preparing for their first opponent: Louisiana Tech on Sept. 12 at McLane Stadium. Head coach Dave Aranda said while the team had some energetic practice and walk-throughs with just helmets on, there’s a freedom to finally donning the pads. “I think when you put the pads on it allows our guard on a counter play to kind…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorBefore there were basketball bubbles or hockey bubbles or even soccer bubbles, there was collegiate summer baseball.Just three months after sports across the country came to a screeching halt in attempts to flatten and crush the curve of the coronavirus spread, baseball was back, and several Baylor players jumped at the opportunity to hit the field just 90 minutes south of Baylor Ballpark.Senior pitcher Jacob Ashkinos, senior infielder Esteban Cardoza-Oquendo, sophomore outfielder Jared McKenzie and sophomore pitcher Hambleton Oliver traded the green and gold for navy and orange this summer, joining the Round Rock Hairy…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorAfter a nerve-wracking 48-hours in which the world of college sports saw Big Ten and the Pac-12 postpone their seasons, the Big 12 officially announced Wednesday morning that it will move forward with its own season for 2020. The conference board convened Tuesday night to vote on the best course of action. Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said the board heard from medical experts at the University of Kansas as well as the Mayo Clinic, taking their insight into account. “We found that what we thought was golden 60 days ago is garbage today,” Bowlsby…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorIn a time when comfort is greatly needed, food is one of the things that brings that sense of comfort to our lives. Growing up with a Mexican heritage, one of my favorite treats is arroz con leche. I may not make it as good as my mother, but I still hope I can share a little bit of comfort with y’all through this easy way to make the dish. Ingredients (Measurements based on a one person serving.)1 cup of White rice ( However, I ran out of white rice and had to use long-grain…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorThe podcast business is booming and former Baylor baseball players Tucker Cascadden and Jared Burch are taking advantage to bring you “awesome stories about awesome people.”The Houston natives teamed up to create the “Inside the Loop” podcast, which they named after a hometown localism referring to the 610 Loop. The podcast was launched right before COVID-19 put a stop to life as we knew it, as a way to connect with people and tell stories that they found relatable, within the sports world as well as outside of it.“We’re probably going to levitate toward sports…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorHaving been granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA after the 2020 season came to an abrupt end, Baylor baseball seniors Andy Thomas, Ryan Leckich, Hayden Kettler and Logan Freeman announced their intent to return to Baylor for a fifth year.Leckich, a veteran lefty who has been one of the team’s go-to relievers during his time at Baylor, said that it was a relief for the seniors to know they would get the chance to return if they wanted.“Initially, it was pretty unfortunate, before we knew that we were getting that extra year back,”…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorIt’s been a month since I last went to a baseball game and about three weeks since I saw a live baseball game, and about a month in a half since I last went to a baseball game at Baylor Ballpark. In short, feels like an eternity since I last enjoyed life. While watching old reruns of baseball classics on YouTube and reliving my favorite moments (I still can’t find the 2018 Big 12 Tournament Championship game between Baylor and TCU though, please help), it’s not the same as being at the ballpark and experiencing…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports WriterBaseball is a game of uncertainty and Baylor baseball has had enough uncertainty to deal with in the past three weeks. On top of having their season canceled, the Bears also had to go through quarantine after coming into indirect contact with COVID-19 upon their return from playing a road series in California on March 8.According to head coach Steve Rodriguez, the team is doing alright and adjusting to a new normal at home. “They’re doing OK and they have a lot of questions at the same time,” Rodriguez said in a video press conference…
By DJ Ramirez | Sports EditorThe coronavirus has taken a lot from us in these past few weeks. Sports. Socializing. Our sanity. But one of the few things that remains is music. My good friend and former Lariat sports editor, Ben Everett, posted a challenge on his Instagram story in which he gave a list of the top ten albums he’d take with him on a deserted island. There are four rules: the albums have to be from different artists, no greatest hits albums, no live albums and you have to listen to the entire album (not on shuffle), so…