Around the Big 12: Utes Knock Wildcats Out of Title Race
Utah’s not giving up on the Big 12 tournament without a fight — and that fight from the Utes just cost Arizona any chance of the Big 12 regular season title.
Core Jackson hit two home runs and drove in four runs to help the Utes knock the Wildcats out of the title race, by virtue of a 13-5 Utah win on Saturday in Tucson.
West Virginia’s win over Kansas State left Arizona five games back of the Mountaineers with four to play. Arizona entered the weekend needing a sweep and some help from K-State, but instead, the Wildcats are in danger of getting swept themselves. Not only did Arizona’s loss knock itself out of the title race, but it clinched a first-round bye in the Big 12 tournament for West Virginia.
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Arizona became its own worst enemy by walking 13 Utah hitters in the contest. Jackson’s two homers were his only at-bats all day, as he walked in four other trips to the plate. Merit Jones kept Arizona in check by allowing just two hits in seven innings. His only mistake was a two-run homer to Andrew Cain, and his team promptly responded with four runs in their next turn at bat to ensure it would not matter.
Utah’s second straight win put the Utes a half-game behind BYU for the final Big 12 tournament spot. The teams will finish the series Sunday.
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Jayhawks Win Series to Remain Alive
Mike Koszewski’s RBI single capped off a two-run ninth, as Kansas scrambled back for a 7-6 win over BYU in Lawrence. The win keeps the Jayhawks alive for the Big 12 title, but just barely.
If Kansas State defeats West Virginia on Sunday, Kansas can win a share of the championship by sweeping the Mountaineers in Morgantown next weekend. If the Wildcats do not defeat West Virginia, the Jayhawks will be eliminated from the title chase.
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Ryder Robinson and Brock Watkins both homered in the seventh to give BYU the lead. However, Alex Breckheimer got the final out in the seventh and kept the Cougars scoreless in the eighth and ninth to give Kansas a chance. Ashton Johnson attempted to earn a two-inning save, but could not hold the lead in the ninth for his first loss of the year.
BYU will host Texas Tech in its final league series. Depending on other results, the Cougars could go in needing to equal or better both Utah and UCF’s final weekend results to earn the final Big 12 tournament spot.
Silva Walks Off Bearcats
Anthony Silva’s solo home run in the bottom of the ninth proved the difference, as TCU kept pace with league leader West Virginia by besting Cincinnati 7-6 in Fort Worth.
The Frogs remain three games back of the Mountaineers with four to play. TCU’s final series is against resurgent Utah, which has its eyes on making the Big 12 tournament after the weekend saw the Utes knock the Wildcats out of the title race.
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Kellen O’Connor pitched six decent innings for Cincinnati, but got victimized by the long ball. Of TCU’s seven runs, Silva’s RBI groundout was the only scoring play that wasn’t a home run. The Frogs blasted five of them, four off of O’Connor.
Cincinnati will have to win its final four games to have any shot at a first-round bye. The teams conclude the series Sunday.
Sun Devils Hold Serve
Kyle Walker doubled twice, homered and drove in three runs, as Arizona State made up for Friday’s meltdown. The Sun Devils controlled Saturday from start to finish, beating the Houston Cougars 13-3 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Arizona State remains tied for second with TCU. The Sun Devils must win out and get help if they hope to catch West Virginia for first.
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Jack Martinez lasted four innings for ASU, giving up one run in each of his first three frames. But the Sun Devil bullpen was much sharper Saturday, allowing just four hits over the last five innings.
Brandon Compton and Isaiah Jackson also homered for the Sun Devils. Houston got victimized by two big innings, allowing five runs in both the third and sixth innings to put the game well out of reach. The teams play the deciding game Sunday.
Pesca Shuts Down Baylor
Mario Pesca scattered four hits over eight shutout innings, and Nolan Schubart’s two-run homer in the top of the first provided most of the offense in Oklahoma State’s 4-0 win over Baylor.
Oklahoma State has now won six straight games and sits three games over .500. As long as the Cowboys don’t lose out, they will be eligible for an at-large NCAA tournament bid.
Wesley Jordan had two hits for Baylor, which dropped its fourth straight league game. The Bears could still clinch a Big 12 tournament spot Sunday with a win and losses by both Utah and UCF.
Ethan Calder allowed four hits and two runs in six innings for Baylor. Game 3 takes place Sunday in Waco.
Red Raiders Beat Knights In Extras
Damian Bravo led off the 11th inning with a walk-off home run for host Texas Tech. The Red Raiders outlasted Central Florida, winning 3-2 in Lubbock in extra frames.
Jack Cebert picked up the win in 5.1 innings of relief. Cebert initially came on in the sixth with a 2-1 lead, but allowed UCF to tie the game in the eighth. However, Texas Tech then took the bat out of Andrew Williamson’s hands with a runner on third. Instead, Cebert faced Erick Almonte and forced a ground out, ending the threat with the game tied.
Williamson’s respect was well-earned, as he homered in the first inning. Texas Tech ended up walking him intentionally again with a runner in scoring position in the 10th. Again, the strategy paid off, as Cebert induced another inning-ending grounder.
The Red Raiders mostly struggled with the UCF bullpen, going 1-2-3 in the eighth, ninth and 10th before Bravo’s blast. The teams play the third game of the series Sunday.
