Baylor Softball Advances to First Super Regional since 2017, Defeats No. 13 Louisiana, 4-3

LAFAYETTE, LA. – Baylor softball (35-21) will advance to its first NCAA Tournament Super Regional since 2017 after narrowly defeating No. 13 Louisiana (45-19), 4-3, in the Lafayette Regional Final Sunday afternoon at Lamson Park.

In the come-from-behind thrilling victory, the Bears received significant contributions in every facet of the game. Third baseman Aliyah Binford (Jr.) delivered the go-ahead single in the fifth inning. Right-handed pitcher RyLee Crandall (So.) tossed a complete game and closed the contest with four consecutive scoreless frames. And center fielder Taylor Strain (Sr.) made the potential game-saving throw to home plate in the sixth.

Baylor Athletics

Baylor softball (35-21) will advance to its first NCAA Tournament Super Regional since 2017.

“We’ve been working our way back to this point,” head coach Glenn Moore said to ESPN after the win. “We’ve been here a few times, but the last few years, we’ve dropped the ball. It’s hard to get back over the hump, and it’s hard to get that respect. We’ve played a strength of schedule throughout much of the year that was ranked No. 1. It’s hard to tell your kids that it’s eventually going to pay off, but days like today you see it pay off. I’m really proud of them.”

After opening the Lafayette Regional with two wins and no losses, the Bears had an opportunity to beat the Ragin’ Cajuns earlier on Sunday but were run-ruled in five innings, 13-0, in the first game. Moore’s squad was then forced to play a winner-take-all rematch against No. 13 Louisiana later in the afternoon.

To open the later contest, left fielder Emily Hott (Sr.) got the scoring started for the Bears with a lead-off solo shot in the top of the first inning – her second lead-off home run of the NCAA Tournament and 10th homer of the season.

In the second, catcher Sydney Collazos (Sr.) added a home run of her own, as well as Baylor’s fifth long ball of the Lafayette Regional.

After a pair of defensive miscues handed the Ragin’ Cajuns two runs in the first, No. 13 Louisiana regained the lead in the third, 3-2, after Crandall surrendered three consecutive base knocks. From that point forward, Crandall settled in and tossed four-straight scoreless frames and limited the talented Cajuns batting order.

“[Louisiana] was on fire in Game 1 today,” Moore said. “Just watching that could intimidate you, and she went out there and competed well. That team did not want to go home, and we didn’t either. It was a great ballgame, but RyLee was on her game, and you had to be to beat that lineup.” 

Crandall was also the beneficiary of a fantastic game-saving throw from Strain in the sixth. With the tying run at second base, ULL left fielder Maddie Hayden (Jr.) lined a potential run-scoring single up the middle, but Strain made an incredible on-the-money throw to Callazos to get the tying run out at the plate.

Prior to Strain’s incredible defensive effort, the Bears tied the game at three apiece in the fifth when first baseman Shaylon Govan (Jr.) picked up her team-leading 32nd RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly. With two outs and a runner on third base, Binford delivered clutch the go-ahead RBI single into left field.

 

Final: Baylor 4, No. 13 Louisiana 3

W: RyLee Crandall (16-8) L: Sam Landry (24-10)

POTG: RyLee Crandall (7 IP, 3 R, ER, 9 H, 2 BB, K, 33 BF, 110 pitches)

WHAT’S NEXT

Baylor softball (35-21) will travel to Gainesville next weekend to play No. 4 Florida (49-12) with a chance to reach the College World Series.