A solid pitching performance by sophomore Joe Kaup lifted the Baker University baseball team to a 3-1 win over Culver-Stockton, last year’s conference champions, Tuesday at Sauder Field.
The victory gave the transfer his first win as a Wildcat after starting off the season 0-2 with two no-decisions.
“I felt really good,” Kaup said. “It was the best start for me so far this year.”
With the exception of early pressure in the first inning, the Culver-Stockton offense was unable to reach third base with Kaup on the mound. Senior Jake Landis gave up one unearned run on the mound in the seventh inning to take the game and earn his seventh save of the season.
Griffin said the team’s quality pitching and defense would keep them in games. He said the win was an important one.
“It was crucial today to come out against a top team in conference and get a win,” Griffin said. “It was a good opportunity to let people come see that we are a great team and can compete for a conference title.”
The team traveled to Fulton, Mo., Sunday to take on William Woods University. The team won its first game 10-6 with 13 hits.
Baker jumped on the Owls with an early 9-2 lead, making it difficult for them to redeem themselves. Senior Tim McConn hit two homeruns while going four for four at the plate with four RBIs.
In game two of the double header, both teams jumped out tying the score at two after the first inning.
Just a day before, Baker split games with Central Methodist Saturday, losing 3-2 and winning 8-1 Sauder Field. After nearly pitching a perfect game, senior Logan Peck was unable to gain victory due to a defensive letdown in the seventh inning.
“Logan was pitching a gem,” McConn said. “The last inning was frustrating with a few errors. We should’ve won two; we were a better team than them.”