Baylor Softball Splits Wednesday Doubleheader in Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Baylor softball split Wednesday’s doubleheader at the Rainbow Wahine Classic, falling to California, 7-6, before beating tournament host Hawaii, 2-1.

Game 1: Cal 7, Baylor 6

In the battle of the Bears, California plated a run in the bottom of the first to take an early 1-0 lead, before BU quickly answered with a run of its own in the top of the second. After leadoff singles from Aliyah Binford and Josie Bower, Taylor Strain hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring Binford from third.  

The game stayed quiet for the third, fourth and fifth innings with the game knotted at one going into to bottom of the sixth.

California loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth after an error and a couple walks went in their favor. With two outs and a full count, Baylor walked in a run before a grand slam scored four giving Cal the 6-1 lead. That was followed by a solo homerun to extend Cal’s lead to 7-1.

With Baylor up to bat and down by six, two quick outs brought up Emry McDonough who singled to right field. With one on and two outs, Kaci West singled and Emily Hott walked loading the bases for McKenzie Wilson who tripled to left field clearing the bases and cutting California’s lead to, 7-4. Sydney Collazos then hit her second long ball of the season, only leaving Baylor down by one run.

Two more singles and a fly out to center field closed out the game just short of Baylor’s seventh inning comeback.

Starting in the circle was Dariana Orme who pitched four scoreless innings in 5.2 total innings of work, striking out six and only allowing one earned run.

Game 2: Baylor 2, Hawaii 1

The Bears started game two with a run across in the top of the first, after a sacrifice fly from Hott plated Wilson who had walked to lead off the game.

With Binford starting in the circle for the second game of the day, she threw two scoreless innings to begin the game, before Hawaii tied things up in the bottom of the third on a single up the middle.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, with Rhein Trochim recording the only hit in that time.

To start the sixth inning, Hott singled before the second out was recorded and Binford was up to bat. With a standup double to the right side, Hott scored to give the Bears the go ahead run.

In a game that was almost all pitching, Binford tossed a complete-game two-hitter, striking out six and only issuing three walks.

HIGHLIGHTS 

Sydney Collazos hit the second home run of her career

Three Bears recorded two hits in game one; Binford, Bower and Collazos

The Bears out hit California 10-7

Binford picked up her fourth win of the season

Bower and Binford were each 4-for-6 on the day

The Bears recorded 16 hit on the day

TOP QUOTES 

Glenn Moore on the game… 

“The highlight of the day was a phenomenal pitching performance by Aliyah Binford. She faced a good hitting Hawaii team on their home field and possibly pitched her best collegiate game. Furthermore, she knocked in the go ahead run to secure the win.”