March 4, 2009
Box Score
SHREVEPORT, La. - The No. 24 Baylor softball team (18-3 overall) used a seventh inning rally and 14 strikeouts from its four pitchers to defeat Centenary (12-7), 2-1 at the Centenary Softball Complex on Wednesday. The win was the 12th-straight victory for the Lady Bears, who have now won 18 of their last 19.
"We didn't play our best ball but at least we got the win," head coach Glenn Moore said. "I thought our pitchers were outstanding tonight and did an amazing job."
After going in order in the first, the Lady Bears got a runner on in the second with two outs as Nicole Wesley singled to short and advanced to second on an error by the first baseman. Baylor could not bring Wesley around to score, keeping the game scoreless.
Starting pitcher, Whitney Canion retired the side in the second and handed the game to Brittany Turner after fanning five Ladies in two innings of work. Turner struck out four batters in her two innings of work, including striking out the side in the fourth, as the game remained a tie.
Baylor got on the board in the fifth as Megan Turk reached first on an error by the third baseman and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Meagan Weldon. With two outs, Bree Hanafin delivered an RBI-single, scoring Turk, but was thrown out trying to reach second.
Centenary answered back in the sixth with a lead off home run by Emerald Doria, trying the game at one apiece. Shaina Brock retired the next three batters to limit the damage, keeping the game tied.
The Lady Bears came back with two outs in the seventh, beginning with a single by N. Wesley. After stealing second, Turk singled to shortstop on a ball that was nearly caught by the second baseman. That set the stage for Weldon, who reached on a fielder's choice when the shortstop attempted to tag Turk unsuccessfully, allowing the ball to pop out and scoring N. Wesley from third.
Jenny Isham came on in relief and struck out the side to limit any drama, picking up her first save of the year. Brock (4-1) picked up her fourth win of the year, striking out two and allowing one run in two innings of work.
Baylor will continue its road trip, taking on No. 1/3 Washington at 1:00 p.m. and No. 12/11 Georgia at 3:00 p.m. at the Easton SEC/Pac 10/Big 12 Challenge on Friday.
