March 9, 2003
Box Score
HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Baylor's 25th-ranked softball team matched its season high with 14 hits, six of the extra-base variety, en route to an 8-2 victory over Kent State here Sunday in the Lady Bears' final game at the Malahini Tournament hosted by the University of Hawai'i.
Danelle Arnold led the offensive barrage for Baylor (21-11), going 3-for-4 with a run, two RBI and her first home run of the season. Kelly Osburn also homered for the third time in as many games; she has now hit safely in 18 of her last 19 games, and she has reached base safely in 25 consecutive games. Kelly Levesque, Harmony Schwethelm and Kim Wilmoth had two hits each, and Nan Wilkins had two RBI.
Meanwhile, Cristin Vitek (10-5) started and went 6.0 innings, allowing only a pair of unearned runs on three hits and a walk with 11 strikeouts. Vitek has now recorded 42 strikeouts in her last four starts, including three double-digit strikeout performances. Katie Decker pitched the final inning, allowing a walk and a hit but no runs.
Baylor jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to Osburn's home run and never looked back. Arnold's two-run shot in the third, coupled with a Wilkins' RBI single in the fourth pushed the score to 4-0.
Kent State scratched for two unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth, but Baylor responded with four runs in the top of the fifth to seal the victory. Sarah Caudle and Stacey Hundley both had doubles in the inning with a Stephanie Pomes triple sandwiched between.
Baylor takes an eight-day break after returning to Texas. The Lady Bears next play March 18, hosting Stephen F. Austin for a 5 p.m. CST doubleheader at Getterman Stadium.
