Baylor
Oklahoma St
Softball Captures 10th Conference Win of the Season
5/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 1, 2004
STILLWATER, Okla. - Baylor junior Melissa Maler's three-run blast in the top of the sixth inning broke a scoreless tie as the Lady Bears earned their school-record tying 10th conference win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Oklahoma State in action at Cowgirl Stadium. The win moves Baylor to 43-12 on the year and 10-5 in conference play as the Cowgirls drop to 26-26 and 6-10 in Big 12 play.
Baylor and Oklahoma State battled through five scoreless innings before the Lady Bears rallied for three runs in the sixth. Harmony Schwethelm led off the inning with a single to the left side of the infield and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Carrie Leerberg.
After an intentional walk to Kelly Osburn, Maler came to the plate with two outs and two runners on. On the first pitch from Oklahoma State starting pitcher Jessica Hoppock, Maler hit a line drive shot that wrapped around the left-field foul pole to give Baylor a 3-0 lead.
It would turn out to be enough for Baylor starter Cristin Vitek, who earned her 27th win of the season while allowing one earned run on six hits in 6.1 innings of work. With the win, Vitek established a new school record for most wins in a season, surpassing Joni Miller who had 26 wins during the 2001 season.
The Cowgirls mounted a rally in the seventh, scoring two runs to cut the Baylor lead to one, however, Lisa Ferguson came into the game in relief and recorded the last two outs for her NCAA leading eighth save of the season.
Hoppock (21-19) took the loss of Oklahoma State, allowing three runs on six hits in seven innings of work.
With the win, Baylor tied the 2002 team, who went 10-8 in Big 12 play, for the most conference wins in a single season.
The Lady Bears will look to complete the series sweep against the Cowgirls when the teams conclude the series with a single game on Sunday, May 2, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
