Video Edited by Matthew McBrayer.
Flashback
Baylor hosted a regional and went undefeated, beating Kent State, James Madison, and then James Madison again to advance. Then the Lady Bears beat the 2-seed Arizona Wildcats twice in the Super Regionals to advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. The season ended after two straight losses to Oklahoma and Oregon in the WCWS. They finished with a 48-15 record on the season.
2018 Team
This years team is returning 7 fielders, 2 pitchers, and adding 3 transfers to the mix. Lots of talent returning to go along with some talented transfer additions, this team should be very good again. Coach Moore is entering his 18th season holding a record of 700-323 and the program just keeps getting better and better. All that is missing is a Championship.
Players to Watch
Gia Rodoni
All-Big12 Second Team
18-4/1.72 ERA
She will be the number 1 pitcher for the Lady Bears and for good reason. Her stats were very good but she has one very memorable one. She pitched back-to-back no-hitters in the Regionals. She is the 8th pitcher to ever throw two no-hitters in an NCAA Tournament.
Jessie Scroggins
All-Big12 First Team/Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
.356 Batting Average 24RBI’s
She made ESPN’s Top 10 plays when she made an amazing catch in the outfield to save a no-hit bid for Gia Rodini. An awesome defensive player with a good bat as well.
Shelby Friudenberg
40 Career Home Runs/148 RBIs
Shelby is just 5 home runs away from breaking the all-time home run record at Baylor and 37 RBI’s away from the RBI record at Baylor too. Needless to say she can really hit the ball and could potentially be the greatest Baylor hitter ever.
Schedule Analysis
Home Tests: 1 Oklahoma(3X)
Road Tests: 11 Alabama, 18 Michigan, Florida, 19 BYU, 8 LSU, and 24 Oklahoma State(3X) that is a daunting test for the Lady Bears away from home.
Baylor will have a really nice opportunity to pick up road wins to help build a tournament resume but not a lot of quality matchups at home outside of the Oklahoma series.
Prediction
44-9 record during the regular season would be a really good record heading into the postseason and good enough to host a regional. I think the Lady Bears will make it through the Regional and Super Regional on the way back to another WCWS. Another incredible season for Coach Glenn Moore.
The Lady Bears start the season Friday, Feb. 9 against Northwestern State at Getterman Stadium.
