Feb. 25, 2007

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The No. 16 Baylor softball team allowed only six hits on the day; however, three of them were for home runs as the Lady Bears fell to Illinois State, 4-1, in the final game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. With the loss, Baylor finishes with a 3-2 record at the tournament and falls to 15-4 on the season.

Kaprice Williams led the Illinois State attack on the day, blasting a pair of home runs, a solo shot to lead off the third and a solo home run to lead off the fifth, while Michelle Henderson added a two-run shot in the fourth as home runs accounted for all four of the Redbirds runs.

Baylor was unable to get any going until the seventh when Courtney Oberg delivered a pinch-hit, RBI single to score Brette Reagan from third and cut the lead to 4-1.

It would be all the Lady Bears could muster; however, as Stacy Birk came into the game in relief and retired the final two Baylor batters to record her first save of the season.

Lisa Ferguson took the loss for the Lady Bears, allowing three runs on three hits in 3.1 innings of work as she fell to 6-3 on the season. Kirsten Shortridge pitched well in relief of Ferguson, allowing one run on three hits while striking out eight Illinois State hitters.

Shannon Nicholson picked up the win and improved to 6-3 on the year after allowing only one run on five hits in 6.1 innings of work.

Baylor will return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 27, when the Lady Bears host Stephen F, Austin for a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m.