May 17, 2009

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WACO - The Baylor softball team (40-20) used a five-run fifth inning to claim a 6-1 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette (45-13) Sunday afternoon at Getterman Stadium. The win gave the Lady Bears their third regional title in program history, third super regional in five years and they now sit two wins away from their second trip to the Women's College World Series.

"This team is such a privilege to coach and work with," head coach Glenn Moore said. "I can't say enough about what they have accomplished together. They should be very proud, but we aren't done yet."

Baylor's five runs in the fifth were the most in one inning since posting five in the second inning of the second game against Prairie View A&M on March 17.

With the score tied at one in the fifth, Meagan Weldon led off with a single over the third baseman's head, followed by a walk by pinch hitter, Jordan Vannatta. With one out, Bree Hanafin singled to the shortstop to load the bases for Brette Reagan, who grounded into a fielder's choice for an RBI and a 2-1 lead. Fellow senior, Alex Colyer then followed with a single through the left side for another RBI and a two-run advantage. With runners at first and second, Courtney Oberg laced her first career triple down the right field line to clear the bags for a 5-1 lead. Baylor had one more run in them, as Sydney Wilson pinch hit a single to shortstop to score Oberg for a five-run cushion.

Whitney Canion (27-16) shut the door on any UL hopes, as she retired the last 11 batters she faced en route to the victory. The freshman went 7.0 innings, allowing just three hits, one run, walking one and striking out five.

The Ragin' Cajuns got on the board first, as a Lana Bowers double scored Christi Orgeron in the top of the second for a 1-0 lead.

Baylor answered back in the fourth as Reagan drew a walk and advanced to second on a single by Colyer. That allowed Oberg to knock a single to left center that scored Reagan to tie the game at one apiece.

With the win, Baylor now advances to play No. 5 Michigan (44-10) in Ann Arbor for the right to head to the WCWS. Dates and times are yet to be determined, stay tuned to baylorbears.com for further information.