Houston: Smith takes a gamble

By Jonathan Yardley - June 02, 2007

Baylor head coach Steve Smith told me on Thursday that if he lost Game 1, he would play to win the tournament rather than just survive to Sunday. True to his word, Smith has elected to start junior righthander Tim Matthews in this afternoon's elimination game against Prairie View A&M.

A weekend starter early last year, Matthews (1-2, 5.30) has only started one game all season in addition to 22 relief appearances. He has pitched only 35.2 innings (max of five in his one start), and batters hit .333 against him. It could be a staffed game for the Bears if they get a lead but Matthews cannot go deep into the game. If Prairie View keeps it close, Smith might elect to call on Randall Linebaugh or Nick Cassavechia to make sure Baylor plays tomorrow.

Prairie View is countering, predictably enough, with its own junior righthander, Wrandal Taylor (9-5, 3.61). He can be plenty tough - he kept the Panthers in last year's regional opener against Rice. First pitch coming up in a few minutes on a sultry afternoon here in H-town. The crowd is just starting to fill in, but we could have a decent non-host crowd.