April 26, 2009

Box Score

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Baylor softball team (36-18, 11-6) came out swinging en route to an 11-8 victory over Kansas (18-28, 5-9) in game two of the series, Sunday morning at Arrocha Ballpark. The game, which picked up in the top of the fourth, featured 21 hits and 16 runs in the final four innings of play.

"I am proud of the way this team came out and answered the challenge today," head coach Glenn Moore said. "We knew we needed this win, and the girls responded with a great offensive performance."

Baylor's 17 hits tied for the second most this season, as three Lady Bears (Tiffany Wesley, Brette Reagan and Alex Colyer) recorded three hits in the game. Reagan led the way, going 3-for5 with four RBI, including a team-leading eighth homer.

Whitney Canion (23-14) picked up the win, despite giving up seven earned runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out 12 in 7.0 innings.

With the Lady Bears up 2-1 in the top of the fourth, Megan Turk led off with a double and was brought around to score on a double by Meagan Weldon for a 3-1 lead.

Baylor seemingly blew the game wide open in the fifth, scoring four runs on six hits. Following a Tiffany Wesley single, Brette Reagan blasted her team-leading eighth home run of the season for a 5-1 lead. Alex Colyer and Courtney Oberg each followed with RBI-singles for a 7-1 advantage.

But Kansas got back in the game in the bottom of the fifth, as Sara Ramirez came in to score on a throwing error, as Colyer's throw to the plate went high. Val Chapple then hit a 3-2 pitch over left center for a three-run shot, pulling the Jayhawks within two.

The Lady Bears answered back in the sixth, as Reagan singled home T. Wesley with a grounder down the left field line for an 8-5 lead.

The Jayhawks cut the lead to one with a two-run home run from Liz Kocon in the sixth, but with the bases loaded and one out, Canion struck out the next two batters to keep the lead.

But Baylor would again answer the call and extend its lead, as the Wesley twins came up big. Tiffany Wesley hit a two-out single up the middle, scoring two, while Nicole blooped a single into shallow center that scored Jordan Vannatta from second that allowed the Lady Bears an 11-8 advantage.

With the win, Baylor can finish no lower than fourth, and can wrap up third place with a win in its season finale on Tuesday against Texas A&M. That game will begin at 6:30 at Getterman Stadium, with pregame beginning at 6:15 on 104.9 FM.