May 20, 2006

Box Score

CORVALLIS, Ore. - After falling to No. 7 Oregon State, 5-3, earlier in the day, the No. 19 Baylor (38-21) softball team rebounded with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Portland State (38-20) to advance to the championship game of the NCAA Corvallis Regional. With the win over the Vikings, Baylor advances to face Oregon State on Sunday, May 21, at 3:00 p.m.

"I was a little disappointed in the way we came out to play the second game," head coach Glenn Moore said. "However, I challenged the team and they responded so we are around to play another day. We picked up a couple of key hits and that was enough to allow us to advance."

Baylor avoided elimination by rallying to defeat Portland State for the second straight day, scoring a pair of runs in the six and a run in the seventh to pick up the 3-2 victory.

The Vikings got on the board first with a run in the second as Katie Stokes delivered a one-out single to make the score 1-0. After the Vikings scored on a passed ball in the third to make the score 2-0, it was up to the Baylor bats to pull out the victory.

Trailing by two heading into the sixth, seniors Kelly Osburn and Harmony Schwethelm led off the inning with back-to-back singles and advanced to second and third after a double steal. After an intentional walk to load the bases with one out, Ashley Monceaux delivered the game tying hit as she drilled a line drive off the third baseman and into left field as Osburn and Schwethelm scored to tie the game.

Baylor was unable to do any further damage in the inning; however, as the game remained tied heading into the seventh. Alex Colyer got things started in the inning as she drilled a 1-2 pitch off of the wall for a double to give the Lady Bears a runner in scoring position with no outs. After advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kylie Conroy, Colyer came home to give the Lady Bears the lead when Schwethelm's high chopper went through the legs of the Portland State third baseman as Baylor took a one run lead heading into the bottom of the inning.

Portland State threatened to tie the game, placing runners at first and third with two outs; however, Lisa Ferguson forced Kimi Daniel into a fly out to left to end the contest as the Lady Bears advanced.

Ferguson picked up the win after tossing 4.2 innings of brilliant relief as she improved to 20-14 on the season after allowing no runs on only two hits while striking out five. With the victory, Ferguson tied her career high for wins in a season as the junior hurler now has 56 for her career.

Michelle Hext was the tough-luck loser after allowing three runs on six hits as she fell to 14-12 on the season.

In game one against No. 7 Oregon State, Baylor bolted out to an early 3-0 lead as Chelsi Lake blasted her 18th home run of the season, a two-run shot, over the center field wall in the first inning to give the Lady Bears the 2-0 advantage. Ashley Monceaux made it back-to-back home runs as she drilled a line drive shot over the right field wall to make the score 3-0.

Baylor was unable to hold onto the lead; however, as Oregon State tied the game with a single run in the third and a pair of runs in the sixth. Lisa Allen delivered the key hit in the rally as her two-out, two-run home run over the right field wall tied the game at 3-3.

With the score tied heading into the seventh, Oregon State managed to take the lead for good with a pair of runs, one scored on an error and another on a fielder's choice, to make the score 5-3.

Baylor tried to mount a rally in the seventh; however, Oregon State starter Brianne McGowan forced Lake into a game-ending double play as the Beavers advanced with a two-run victory.

Ferguson pitched well in the loss as she allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out five.

McGowan picked up the victory and improved to 26-6 on the season after allowing three runs on five hits in seven innings of work.

Baylor will get a re-match against the Beavers as the Lady Bears and Oregon State will face each other in the championship game of the Corvallis Regional at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at the Oregon State Softball Complex. A win by the Lady Bears will force an "if necessary" game against Oregon State to be played immediately following the conclusion of game one.

Baylor fans can hear all the action on KWGW 104.9 FM in the Waco area or by listening to the streaming audio at www.baylorbears.com.