Baylor junior Blake Lundy got a hanging slider over the center of the plate and didn't miss. The powerful right-handed hitter blasted a 380-foot, two-run home run in the top of the first inning Monday against arch rival McCallie, setting an early tone in a 6-1 Division II-AA East district win.
Lundy's big-time blast — his 18th in the past two seasons — was all the run support the Red Raiders would need as left-handed pitchers Henry Allen and Levi Fraley combined for eight strikeouts, gave up just four singles and did not allow an earned run.
With the win, Baylor (15-4, 5-0) improved to 25-5 over its last 30 matchups against McCallie (15-10, 4-1), whose pitching staff only allowed one earned run as sophomore Ryce Phillips fanned seven while allowing as many hits over five innings.
"Blake is no secret anymore," Baylor coach Greg Elie said of his cleanup hitter, who is committed to Tennessee. Lundy is one of seven Division I commits/signees on the team. "When you hit 15 home runs as a sophomore, you get a bullseye on your back, and pitchers are aware of that. That was a big hit for him tonight.
"He has also done a great job leading our pitching staff, who really went out there and competed tonight."
(READ MORE: Baylor slugger Blake Lundy wins Mr. Baseball award)
Fraley was lights out in relief as he fanned four while allowing just a walk after coming in for Allen, a Kennesaw State signee, after a leadoff walk in the bottom of the sixth.
The Red Raiders also got a big game at the plate from Alabama signee and three-hole hitter Brooks Berry. The left-handed hitter laced two RBI singles to center and left field in his first exposure to the Baylor-McCallie rivalry after missing last season due to injury.
"Brooks in the middle of our lineup has been really key for us," Elie said. "He leads and sets the tone along with Mac Morris (Alabama commit). They take the right approaches and don't give away at-bats very often.
"I am excited about what our guys are showing us right now. We are headed in the right direction."
Baylor centerfielder Jack Schuman, who bats fifth in the order, collected three hits in the victory and is batting a team-leading .368 with 21 RBIs this season.
With another strong lefty on the mound in Wells Grisham, the Red Raiders will aim for the regular-season sweep at home on Senior Night Tuesday.
"Our guys are going to continue to get after it," Elie said. "They have done a great job of treating this like just another game over the years. They are always fun games, and we are glad to be on the right side of them. We know we are going to get their best, and they are going to get ours. Our guys just continue to let their talent shine."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.
Lundy's blast helps Baylor continue rivalry dominance over McCallie | Chattanooga Times Free Press
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