Baylor Softball Lands Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year as Transfer

The 2026 Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year, Hallie Burns, committed to Baylor on Friday.

Burns, an incoming Junior, helped lead Southeastern Louisiana to 43 wins, a conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Burns posted a 20-5 record with a 1.68 ERA across 112.2 innings this past season. She was among the elite nationally in multiple categories, finishing Top 10 in the nation in hits allowed per seven innings (4.10), WHIP (0.95) and her earned run average finished tenth.

As a freshman in 2025, she held a 12-6 record with a 2.66 ERA, while striking out 61 batters and limiting opponents to a .220 batting average over 102.2 innings.

She is the third pitcher Baylor has taken in this portal class and the second from the Lions, joining Hailey Crawford, who signed last week.

The Bears are also expected to return junior Peyton Tanner and senior Cambree Creager, while welcoming in Top 50 recruit Raelynn Van Zee.

The Baylor transfer portal class is up to five as alongside Crawford and Burns in the circle is Northwestern State pitcher Mattison Buster. California Baptist shortstop Kenzie Farrier-Pilon and Houston utility player Madox Mitchael round out the portal class so far.