Courtesy of Baylor Athletics
LAFAYETTE, La. – A two hour and 19 minute delay did not rain on the Baylor softball’s offensive parade Friday as the Bears beat Mississippi State 8-4 to open the NCAA Tournament at Lamson Park.
The Bulldogs (35-20) scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the first before Baylor (39-15) answered with RBI singles from Ari Hawkins and Shelby Friudenberg, and Hawkins along with pinch runner Kina Cummings, executed a double steal from first and third base as Hawkins swiped home to give the Bears a 3-1 lead.
Heading into the top of the second rain, followed by lightning, cause a lengthy delay. At 8:29 p.m. after a 5:34 p.m. first pitch, play resumed and the Bulldogs added a run in the top of the second to cut the Baylor lead to 3-2.
However, the Bears added another three spot in the bottom of the third when Sarah Smith hit a two-run single and Jessie Scroggins hit a run-scoring single to give Baylor a 6-2 lead. The Bulldogs’ Caroline Seitz hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning to cut the lead to two once again.
Freshman standout Shelby Friudenberg put the nail in the coffin for the Bulldogs as the Baylor freshman countered with a deep home run to left centerfield in the bottom of the fourth, a two-run shot that would be the final runs of game.
Baylor hit 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position on the evening, and Heather Stearns picked up her 20th win in the circle for the Bears in five innings of work. Stearns struck out seven, and it was her fifth career postseason victory.
