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Bears sweep Lumberjacks in baseball season opener

Feb. 14, 2006

Robyn Kenagy | Lariat Staff Senior second baseman Kevin Russo slides safely into second Sunday at the Baylor Ballpark in the final game of the season's three-game opening series against the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks.

by JUSTIN WOODS,
reporter

First pitch temperature hovered around 49 degrees for game one of the Baylor baseball season opening three-game series Saturday against Stephen F. Austin State University, with a wind chill in the mid-30s. A sustained 20 mph wind blowing in from left-center froze batters and kept would-be home runs in the field of play. It was a day for pitchers.

Senior pitcher Ryan LaMotta made his fourth start and 96th career appearance in the game. The Lumberjacks didn't have an answer for LaMotta, who threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing only three hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

"I threw more fastballs than usual, and just tried to make them put the ball in play," LaMotta said. "They took a lot of pitches early in the count, so I threw fastballs to get ahead early."

The Bears' offense also got ahead early. Junior outfielder Chase Gerdes led off the game with a double to the gap off of Lumberjack starter Brian Steinocher. Gerdes would later score on a sacrifice fly by senior catcher Zach Dillon.

The runs didn't stop there. Baylor scored three runs in the fifth inning courtesy of a Seth Fortenberry two-run triple.

"Steinocher walked and hit a batter before me, so I thought he'd try to come back with a first-pitch fastball," Fortenberry said.

"He did and I jumped on it."

The Bears gave up two runs to Stephen F. Austin in the top of the ninth, but it didn't matter. Baylor won 9-2.

Fans came back Sunday for a double-header that started at 1 p.m. The Bears didn't miss a beat, defeating the Lumberjacks 8-3.

Fortenberry nearly hit for the cycle in a 3-for-4 performance that included a triple, three RBIs and Baylor's first home run of the season.

Just as in the first game, Fortenberry said he tried to take advantage of fastballs early in the count.

But senior pitcher Cory VanAllen didn't need much run support.

He pitched five shutout innings, allowing only two hits and a walk with six strikeouts.

"I noticed yesterday that they took a lot of first pitches," VanAllen said. "I just spotted my fastball and tried to get ahead."

The final game of the series was more of a challenge than the first two. Baylor's bats went cold, and Lumberjack pitcher Kyle Watson pitched six innings allowing only one run but four walks.

Baylor head Coach Steve Smith said Watson located his pitches and forced the Bears to hit fly balls. The strong wind blowing in from center field made them easy outs.

"He kept us off balance," Fortenberry said.

The Bears countered with sophomore Tim Matthews. In his first career start, Matthews threw six innings, allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts.

Baylor scored its first run without registering a hit when Senior infielder Kevin Russo reached second on a wild pitch on a third strike. He moved to third on a balk by Watson. Fortenberry drew a base on balls and used a delayed steal to second to help Russo steal home.

Russo later hit a two-out single up the middle to score freshman infielder Beamer Weems and Dillon.

Baylor completed the sweep of the Lumberjacks 3-1.

The Bears' next game is against the University of Texas-Arlington at 6 p.m. today at the Baylor Ballpark.

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