WACO, Texas – No. 21 Baylor softball (36-12) used a three-pitcher rotation to post a season-high 13 strikeouts, shutting out Texas State (27-17), 3-0.
Heather Stearns took the first 3.0 frames, allowing no runs or hits, while striking out three.
Gia Rodoni (3-1) worked the middle 2.0 innings for the win in relief, allowing no runs or hits with two strikeouts.
Kendall Potts picked up her third save of the season, closing out the final two frames, allowing just two hits and striking out five.
The two sides stayed locked up through the first four innings, stuck in a scoreless tie entering the home half of the fifth.
After two quick outs, the Baylor bats sparked another two-out rally, with Kyla Walker reaching safely on an error.
Jessie Scroggins picked up her second hit of the game, outrunning a ground ball to the shortstop to push Walker to second.
Sarah Smith took a full-count pitch off her ankle, loading the bases for Linsey Hays.
A wild pitch easily scored Walker, putting BU up 1-0 and putting runners on second and third.
Hays drilled a ball to the fence in right-center, scoring both Scroggins and Smith to give the Lady Bears a 3-0 lead, more than enough for the victory.
QUOTES
Baylor Head Coach Glenn Moore
On Baylor’s pitching rotation…
“Heather threw so well you don't want to pull her. You take a pitcher out who hasn't allowed a hit you feel like you're jinxing your team a little bit. She threw well. We got good work out of her. Gia's adrenaline was flowing. Not having Coach Newman in the dugout, we weren't in sync as much. I feel like they threw well in spite of me.”
On Texas State’s pitching…
“She's a great pitcher and we had to really fight. I thought we got quality at-bats and we were able to use our short game. We had some balls hit hard and some good things happened offensively. I know it only came together in the fifth inning, but we had some real good things happen. It certainly prepared us for this weekend.”
Senior Outfielder Linsey Hays
On Texas State’s pitching…
“That first pitcher really challenged us. She is, I believe, number four in the country in strikeouts. We just had to stay focused, play our game, and hit good pitches. I feel like we did that well.”
On the team clicking at the right time…
“I feel like we are playing really well. I think we are going in the right direction. We are getting in sync for post-season and that’s what it is all about. So, as long as we can keep going in this direction, stay positive, and come together as team; I think we are going to go far in the playoffs.”
STAT OF THE DAY #1
15.2 – the scoreless inning streak for sophomore pitcher Kendall Potts, named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday afternoon.
STAT OF THE DAY #2
44 – the career doubles for Sarah Smith, tying Holly Holl and Kaitlyn Thumann for No. 2 on Baylor’s career leaderboard. Smith needs four doubles to tie Chelsi Lake for the program record.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Lady Bears close out the regular season home schedule with a weekend series against Kansas, starting Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Getterman Stadium.
