No. 18 Southern Miss Tops Baylor Baseball, 5-1

[Calderone, Max]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Feb. 22, 2026

No. 18 Southern Miss Tops Baylor Baseball, 5-1
Bears unable to take advantage of 12 free passes, leave 13 runners on base in loss
For more information contact: Max Calderone, 254-265-1639, Max_Calderone at Baylor.edu<mailto:Max_Calderone at Baylor.edu>

ROUND ROCK, Texas – Baylor baseball fell to No. 18 Southern Miss, 5-1, Sunday evening at the 2026 Round Rock Classic at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.

Despite walking nine times and being hit by a pitch three times, the Bears (4-3) were unable to take advantage of all the free passes and only mustered just three hits on the night, leaving 13 men on base in the loss. The Golden Eagles (6-1) took the early lead and held on, despite also leaving 14 runners aboard as BU pitchers were able to work out of jams throughout the game.

Senior right-hander Cade Hansen made his second-career start at the Division I level and did well to minimize damage, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts. But, BU wasn’t able to overcome USM’s early two-run lead, as the Bears’ bullpen did its best to keep it close before the Golden Eagles added some insurance in the ninth to pull away.

THE RUNDOWN
After a scoreless first, Southern Miss took advantage of four free passes to start the top of the second, but Baylor was able to limit the damage to just two runs crossing the plate as the Golden Eagles took the game’s first lead at 2-0. The Bears loaded the bases in the home half, thanks to a trio of free passes of their own, but were unable to cash in on the run-scoring opportunity.

In the third, the Golden Eagles threatened again with a pair of two-out knocks, but Hansen came up with a big strikeout to end the inning and keep the Bears within two. Baylor got one back in the bottom of the frame as redshirt freshman outfielder Hunter Snow was hit by a pitch after three walks loaded the bases. However, BU was unable to add on and left the bases loaded.

USM answered right back in the top of the fourth with an RBI single, and made a bid for one more but freshman outfielder Bo Caraway threw a runner out at the plate to keep the deficit at 3-1.

That’s where things would stay until the ninth, as Baylor was able to work out of more jams in the fifth and seventh with inning-ending double plays. The Golden Eagles added some insurance in the final frame after a BU throwing error allowed a run to score, then an RBI single pushed their lead to 5-1.

Despite getting a pair of Bears on base in the bottom of the ninth and bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle, BU couldn’t strike up one last rally to put a dent in the scoreboard.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Baylor’s 15 stolen bases are its most through seven games since 2011 (18).
• Freshman OF Brady Janusek has reached base safely in all seven games this season.
• Sophomore INF Pearson Riebock has reached base safely in all seven games this season.
• Redshirt junior INF Travis Sanders extended his on-base streak to 12 games, dating back to last season.
• Riebock and Sanders were each named to the Round Rock Classic All-Tournament Team.
• Redshirt freshman OF Hunter Snow was hit by a pitch three times, setting a Round Rock Classic single-game record and tying the Baylor single-game record. He became the seventh Bear all-time to be hit by a pitch three times in the same game.
• Redshirt sophomore C Brayden Buchanan tallied his third-career and second-straight multi-hit game.
• Junior RHP Charlie Atkinson recorded his second scoreless appearance of the season.
• Junior LHP Mason Green notched his second scoreless appearance of the year.

STAT OF THE DAY
2 – Redshirt sophomore catcher Brayden Buchanan had two of the Bears’ three hits, marking his third-career and second-straight multi-hit game.

QUOTABLE
Head Coach Mitch Thompson
On tonight’s loss…
“Obviously I’m disappointed that we couldn’t get a win this weekend. Offensively today, we struggled. Couldn’t seem to get anything going. They gave us some opportunities with some walks and hit by pitches, gave us traffic, but we couldn’t get the big hit. So, it’s just a disappointing day for us offensively. I thought our pitching staff and our bullpen did a nice job of keeping us in the game, giving us an opportunity to make a comeback. We’ve got to keep getting better, that’s the total point. The whole thing that you learn from this is that it takes us to put it all together, play a complete game to win, especially when you’re playing good people. And that’s why we’re playing right here [at the Round Rock Classic].

WHAT’S NEXT
Baylor (4-3) heads home for a midweek matchup against Stephen F. Austin (7-2) on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark in Waco. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

To stay up to date on all things Baylor baseball, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorBaseball.


-BaylorBears.com-

__________________________________

Max Calderone | Director of Athletics Communications (Baseball, Football)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 254-265-1639

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