No. 20 Baylor Softball Falls to No. 2 Oklahoma State in Series Finale, 5-1

STILLWATER, Okla. – No. 20 Baylor Softball fell Sunday afternoon in the series finale against No. 2 Oklahoma State, 5-1. 

The Bears, now 23-8 on the season, scored their lone run in the fifth inning, but weren’t able to capitalize further with the bases loaded.

THE RUNDOWN

The Bears fell behind early, giving up four runs to the Cowgirls in the bottom of the first tinning. After the first two Oklahoma State batters reached via walk and error, a three-run home run put OSU ahead, 3-0. Another run came home on a hit and another fielding error to put the Cowgirls up by four runs.

OSU tacked on another unearned run in the second inning to take the 5-0 lead.

Kaci West effectively held Oklahoma State scoreless for the rest of the game, with the Bears’ biggest opportunity in the fifth inning.

After Kelly Maxwell loaded the bases by issuing walks to West and Josie Bower and hitting Taylor Strain with a pitch, a call to the bullpen was made. McKenzie Wilson then reached on a fielder’s choice, with the runner going home being tagged out. Amber Toven then reached on an error by the first baseman, and the Bears’ lone run scored. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the Bears’ threat.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Bears’ lone run was scored by pinch-runner Caroline Rowatt, her seventh run of the season.
• Amber Toven, Sydney Collazos and Presleigh Pilon each recorded a hit in the matchup.
• The Bears turned their 11th double play of the season.
• Kaci West pitched 5.2 innings, striking out four and only allowing one run. She didn’t give up any extra-base hits in her outing.
• Oklahoma State’s Kelly Maxwell, the conference’s strikeout leader, was only able to strike out one batter in her 4.0 innings of work.

QUOTABLE

Head Coach Glenn Moore

“As disappointing as the outcome was this weekend, we battled through some adversity from start to finish. Although we couldn’t overcome it with wins, the fight confirmed a characteristic of championship teams. We have to be big-picture focused and make sure to be prepared for all opponents.”

WHAT’S NEXT

The Bears are back in action Tuesday, March 28, playing UTSA at home at 5 p.m. CT, before heading to San Marcos, Texas, on Wednesday, March 29, to face the Texas State Bobcats.