WACO, Texas – No. 20 Baylor softball (22-6) swept a doubleheader over Central Florida (21-12), picking up two victories on Saturday afternoon at Getterman Stadium.
In the early game, Heather Stearns (10-2) went the distance, pitching the complete game, while allowing just one hit and one unearned run. With 10 strikeouts, Stearns reached double-digit strikeouts for the fourth time this season and the 17th time in her career.
The Knights cracked the scoreboard first, picking up a run on a sac fly in the top of the fourth after UCF’s Linnea Goodman reached on an error to lead off the inning.
The Lady Bears answered back in the bottom of the frame, with Linsey Hays leading off with a walk and scoring from first on an RBI double into the right-center gap by Shelby Friudenberg.
In lock-step over the next three innings, it came down to the bottom of the seventh, still tied up at 1-1.
Robin Landrith was hit by a pitch with just one out, bringing up nine-hole hitter Caitlin Charlton.
Charlton came up clutch for the Lady Bears, driving a no-doubt, two-run, walk-off home run into the parking lot over the left field wall, giving BU the 3-1 victory.
In the second game, Kendall Potts (8-0) pitched the complete game shutout, blanking the Knights on three hits and seven strikeouts.
In the bottom of the second inning, Shelby Friudenberg led off with a single through the left side of the infield.
Kyla Walker ran out a bunt single to the pitcher, with Friudenberg advancing to third after a throwing error by UCF’s Jamie Ujvari.
On the next batter, Walker baited the throw down to second on a fake-steal, forcing the Knights into a rundown. With attention on Walker, Friudenberg was able to score, giving BU the 1-0 lead.
Back in the bottom of the fifth, Lindsey Cargill led off being struck by a pitch for the free base and stealing second on the next pitch.
Sarah Smith roped a single to the right side of the infield, advancing Cargill to third.
Hays would reach safely on a fielding error by UCF second baseman, Taylor Bell, scoring Cargill from third and giving BU the 2-0 lead, standing as the final score.
STAT OF THE DAY #1
17 – the strikeout total of the Baylor pitching staff in 14.0 total innings of work, with Stearns fanning 10 and Potts adding seven.
STAT OF THE DAY #2
19-0 – Baylor’s record when outhitting its opponent this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Lady Bears complete the final leg of the three-game set with the Knights on Sunday at noon at Getterman Stadium.
