March 21, 2009

Box Score

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Baylor softball team (23-10, 1-0) used a solo home run from Courtney Oberg and some crafty baserunning to earn a 2-1 win over Texas Tech (10-25, 0-1) on Saturday at Rocky Johnson Field in Lubbock. The conference opening victory puts the Lady Bear win streak at five.

Freshman Whitney Canion (13-8) picked up the first conference win of her career, going seven innings, allowing three hits, one unearned run and striking out eight. She also collected her 200th strikeout of the season, becoming the second player in Baylor history to reach that plateau.

Texas Tech got on board in the bottom of the first, as runners were on second and third with no outs after a single and a two-base error. Elizabeth Eimen then reached on a fielder's choice bunt, scoring the runner from third for a 1-0 lead. That's all Canion allowed, recording three-straight outs to limit the damage.

Courtney Oberg led off the second with a towering blast down the left field line, her third of the season, tying the game at one.

Baylor had runners on first and second with one out in the third, but a pair of groundouts ended the inning.

Baylor took the lead in the fifth, as Weldon led off the inning with a double, and with one out Tiffany Wesley singled to put runners at first and third. Wesley then broke for second, forcing a throw, allowing pinch runner Sophia Lujan to break for home. Lujan was eventually tagged out on the play, but Wesley advance to third during the rundown, and came around to score when an errant throw went into left field, allowing her to cross the plate.

Baylor stranded runners at second and third in the sixth, and had Lady Bears on first and second with no outs in the seventh, but were unable to get runners around to score, leaving nine runners on base during the game.

Canion put any doubts away in the bottom of the seventh, as she struck out the last two batters with a runner on first to end the game.

Baylor and Texas Tech will wrap up the series Sunday at noon. Live audio will be available beginning at 11:45 a.m.