The Big 12 Tournament’s second round delivered a tightly contested showdown between the BYU Cougars and the Baylor Bears, with both squads looking to advance to the next stage.
Baylor Sets the Pace Early
Baylor struck first, plating three runs in the opening frame and riding that momentum into a 6-5 edge by the end of the third.
BYU answered in the third, erupting for six runs to flip the scoreboard and claim a 6-5 lead, fueled by timely hitting and aggressive base running.
The fourth inning saw the Bears knotting the game at 6-6, as their bats continued to find gaps in the Cougars’ defense.
BYU regained the advantage in the fifth, extending the lead to 8-6, but the Bears were not done.
A Sixth‑Inning Home Run Shifts Momentum
Baylor’s bottom of the sixth produced a three‑run homer that put them ahead 9-8, a swing that would prove pivotal.
The Bears added four more runs in the seventh, pulling away to a 13-8 cushion that set the final margin.
Despite a ninth‑inning homer by Robinson that cut the deficit, BYU’s four defensive miscues had already handed Baylor five unanswered runs, sealing a 13-9 loss. Robinson finished 3‑for‑5 with an RBI and two runs, while McNaughton and Hurdsman each contributed two RBIs.