No. 20 Baylor Softball Notches Explosive Sweep over Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas – No. 20 Baylor softball (43-12, 13-4 Big 12) posted a season-high five home runs to take a 16-6 win over Texas Tech (23-29, 6-9 Big 12) in five innings on Sunday afternoon at Rocky Johnson Field.

After early struggles by Heather Stearns, Gia Rodoni (5-1) pitched out the final 4.1 innings, allowing just two runs on seven hits and striking out four.

For the Baylor offense, another quick start in the top of the first set the tone early, with Sarah Smith tripling to right field to score Kyla Walker.

Linsey Hays slammed a double to the fence in right, scoring Smith.

Shelby Friudenberg drilled a two-run shot to left-center, giving BU the 4-0 lead.

The Red Raiders didn’t back down, scoring four on two home runs in the home half of the opening inning to tie the game back at 4-4.

Baylor kept up the pace, with Robin Landrith leading off the second frame with a solo shot to right field, taking a 5-4 lead back for the Lady Bears.

In the top of the third, Ari Hawkins launched a two-run bomb to right field, scoring Hays, and giving BU a 7-4 lead.

Still adding on in the top of the fourth, a bases-loaded sac fly by Smith scored Caitlin Charlton, keeping two in scoring position for Friudenberg.

The sophomore slugger kept a hot bat, roping a single to left-center to bring home Jessie Scroggins, putting Baylor up 9-4.

The Red Raiders cut the lead down to three in the home half of the fourth, plating two runs to make it a 9-6 Baylor advantage.

The fifth frame was all Baylor, with Robin Landrith getting the rally rolling with a two-run shot to center field, scoring Cargill.

A single up the middle by Scroggins would score Charlton from second, with Walker following up with her fourth hit of the ballgame.

Linsey Hays put an RBI double off the wall in centerfield, giving the senior 49 career doubles, setting a new Baylor program record.

With two in scoring position, Friudenberg pulled through once again, pounding a three-run shot to right field, her second home run of the game and her sixth RBI in the contest.

With a 16-6 advantage, Rodoni closed out the game, working around a lead-off single to secure the five-inning win and second-straight conference sweep for the Lady Bears.