Feb. 21, 2004
Box Score
Palm Springs, Calif.-The Baylor Lady Bears rebounded from two losses on day one of the Palm Springs Classic to defeat nationally-ranked Cal-State Fullerton and Bethune-Cookman in action during day two of the classic. Baylor opened by defeating No. 20 Cal-State Fullerton 2-1 and cruised past Bethune-Cookman 4-0 in the second game of the day.
Tessa Lynam opened up the scoring for Baylor in the first game, hitting a solo home run to right field with two outs in the first inning to give the Lady Bears a 1-0 lead over the Titans.
After going scoreless in the first three innings, the Titans tied the score at 1-1 when Monica Tantlinger scored on a double to left-center field by Candice Baker.
Both teams threatened in the fifth and sixth innings; however, were unable to score as the game went into the seventh inning tied at one.
Baylor pitcher Cristin Vitek retired the Titans in order in the seventh inning, giving the Lady Bears a chance to win with one run in the bottom of the inning.
With one out, Carrie Leerberg singled up the middle and then advanced to second on a ground out by Chelsi Lake, setting up the game's final play.
On the first pitch to Kelly Levesque, Leerberg made a break to steal third. The throw from Titans catcher Jennifer Holt sailed over the third baseman's head, allowing Leerberg to score easily and give the Lady Bears a 2-1 victory.
The win gave Baylor its tenth victory over a ranked opponent during head coach Glenn Moore's tenure.
Vitek (5-2) picked up the victory for Baylor, tossing 3.2 innings of one hit ball without allowing a run to seal the victory. Vitek came into the game in relief of Lisa Ferguson, who pitched 3.1 innings, allowing only three hits and one run.
The Lady Bears carried the momentum into the second game, as Baylor coasted to a 4-0 victory over Bethune-Cookman.
Baylor scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back as the Lady Bears moved its record to 9-5 on the season. With one out, Lynam doubled to left field, allowing Lake to score easily to give BU a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Bears extended the lead to 2-0 when Baylor executed a perfect double steal, scoring Lynam from third once the throw went to second in an attempt to throw out Kelly Levesque.
The scoring in the inning ended when Levesque scored on a Leerberg single to center field.
Baylor added a run in the sixth inning when Amber Daniel scored on a Leerberg fielder's choice and retired the Wildcats in the seventh to close out the victory.
Vitek (6-2) picked up her second victory on the day as she faced only one batter over the minimum in 5.0 innings of work, allowing one hit and five strikeouts.
Ferguson came into the game in relief and shut the door on the Wildcats, pitching two innings of hitless ball to record her second save of the season.
Baylor will conclude action at the Palm Springs Classic on Sunday, February 22, when the Lady Bears face Coastal Carolina at 12:00 p.m. CST.
