Baylor Softball Keeps Season Alive with 5-2 Victory over No. 4 Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Baylor softball (36-22) kept its season alive with a 5-2 victory over No. 4 Florida (50-13) in the Gainesville Super Regional Saturday afternoon at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

The Bears were propelled by a three-run homer from star-slugger Shaylon Govan (Jr.) in the first inning and an excellent effort in the circle from pitcher RyLee Crandall (So.). Facing elimination, Crandall tossed a complete game, collected six strikeouts and limited the talented Gators’ batting order to just two runs.

Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365

Facing elimination, pitcher RyLee Crandall (So.) tossed a complete game and limited the talented Gators’ batting order to just two runs.

Baylor will face UF in a winner-take-all game on Sunday at 1 p.m. to reach the Women’s College World Series.

To get things started in the bottom of the first inning, left fielder Emily Hott (Sr.) drew a lead-off walk, and shortstop Preleigh Pilon (Jr.) blooped a single into right field. With two runners aboard and no outs, Govan crushed a three-run homer over the left-center field wall.

The First-Team All-Big 12 slugger leads the Bears in home runs (11) and batting average (.450). Govan is 7-for-14 at the plate with three homers across six games this postseason.

Center fielder Taylor Strain (Sr.) dribbled an infield single down the third base line to lead off the second. After advancing to third base on a Govan flyout, Strain scored on a wild pitch to extend Baylor’s lead to 4-1. Strain finished the contest with two of Baylor’s seven hits and made several excellent defensive plays in the outfield.

The Gators got on the board in the second with a solo shot from designated player Reagan Walsh (Jr.). Across 20 innings in the NCAA Tournament so far, Crandall has surrendered just six earned runs.

Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365

A win over No. 4 Florida on Sunday would give Baylor its fifth NCAA WCWS berth. 

UF cut further into Baylor’s lead, 4-2, in the fifth when shortstop Skylar Wallace (RSr.) lined an RBI single into right field. Wallace is 9-for-12 with eight RBIs this postseason.

The Bears didn’t record a base knock across the middle innings, and their first hit in over four frames came in the sixth on a single by right fielder Ana Watson (Sr.).

Pinch-hitter Shannon Vivoda (Jr.) was hit by a pitch and Strain collected another infield single to load the bases. With the bases juiced and one out, Hott plated an insurance run for Baylor with an RBI sacrifice fly to left field. 

In the circle, Crandall retired the last seven batters she faced to keep the Bears season alive and avoid elimination. Before Saturday, UF was on a 12-game winning streak and had outscored opponents in the NCAA Tournament, 28-to-4.
 

Final: Baylor 5, No. 4 Florida 2

W: RyLee Crandall (17-8) L: Keagan Rothrock (29-7)

POTG: RyLee Crandall (7 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 28 BF, 107 pitches)

WHAT’S NEXT

Baylor softball (36-22) will face No. 4 Florida (50-13) in a winner-take-all game at 1 p.m. on Sunday to reach the Women’s College World Series.