Wildcats Finish Cajun Collision With Big 8-2 Win Over #23 Loyola (La.)

STERLINGTON, La. – In the highly competitive Cajun Collision, the Wildcats started the weekend 0-3, but were able to finish the weekend strong with an 8-2 win over No. 23 Loyola (La.).

Baker vs. (RV) LSU-Alexandria (L, 4-2)

Baker started the weekend with a matchup against (RV) LSU-Alexandria. Jaxon Kutch got the start for Baker, going four innings before Logan Whelan and Jake Miller finished the final three innings. Offensively, Baker had six hits in the game, with Tucker Flory having two of those, with a home run and a double.

The scoring started early as LSU was able to get a run on a fielder's choice in the top of the first inning. Flory then tied it up in the bottom of the second inning, hitting a home run to make it 1-1.

In the top of the sixth, LSU was able to add two more runs on a base knock to left, but Flory got Baker right back into it in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double, scoring Peyton Lewis to cut the lead down to 3-2. LSU-Alexandria then added one run to their lead in the top of the seventh and went on to win the game, 4-2.

Baker vs. Southwestern Christian (L, 7-1)

Baker then faced off with Southwestern Christian in their first game on Friday. Grant Thompson started the game on the mound for Baker and Camden Karlin was able to enter for the final four innings and collect five strikeouts. Tanner Twillman was the only Wildcats with multiple hits in the game as he went 2-for-3.

Peyton Lewis started the game with a double and after advancing to third on an error, John Raybourn singled to right field and gave Baker a 1-0 lead. After a bases loaded walk tied the game at one in the bottom of the first, the Eagles hit a grand slam and took a 5-1 lead. Baker gave up two more runs in the second inning as the Eagles went on to defeat Baker, 7-1 in game two of the tournament.

Baker vs. #1 Southeastern (L, 6-5 - 9 Innings)

In game three of the tournament and game two of the day, Baker faced off with No. 1 Southeastern. Gabriel Lopez started on the hill for Baker, while Caden Pogue came in for the final seven innings and struck out six batters. Both Brian Hawkins and Tucker Flory had home runs in the game, as seven different players had a hit in the game.

The Fire got on the board early and often, scoring five runs in the second inning to lead Baker, 5-0. In the bottom of the second, Flory got Baker on the board with a solo home run to left field, cutting the lead to 5-1.

Heading into the bottom of the fourth, three-consecutive hits by Twillman, Taylor Foss and Cooper Karlin scored two runs and cut deeper into the Fire lead as Baker trailed 5-3 after four innings.

Hawkins then picked up his first home run of the year in the bottom of the fifth as the Wildcats trailed by just one, 5-4. With the game on the line in the bottom of the seventh, a passed ball scored another run as Baker had fought their way back to tie the game at five. In the top of the ninth, Southeastern took the lead once again on a home run and won the game, 6-5.

Baker vs. #23 Loyola (La.) (W, 8-2)

In the fourth game of the weekend, Baker faced off with No. 23 Loyola (La.). Evan Gottstein pitched 2.1 innings, while Jared Parenti threw 3.2 innings in relief and got the win. Luke Smith was able to pitch the final inning. Baker had six hits in the game with two coming from John Raybourn. Ryan Wetzel also added a home run.

Baker jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, scoring one on an error and adding another on a groundout to take a 2-0 lead. In the top of the third, Ryan Wetzel hit his first home run of the year to score two and extend Baker's lead to 4-0 after just 2.5 innings.

Loyola was able to get a two-run home run of their own in the bottom of the third cutting the lead to 4-2, but Baker responded with three runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth to lead, 8-2. After two walks to start the seventh inning, Baker was able to turn a triple play, closing out an exciting game and giving the Wildcats a big win over No. 23 Loyola. 

The Baker baseball team is now 1-3 on the season. They will now travel to Fort Worth, Texas to take on The Master's and Texas Wesleyan on Feb. 18-19.

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