By Nathan Keil | Sports Editor
For the second straight day, Baylor softball split its doubleheader at the Judi Garman Classic. The Bears fell 3-1 to Iowa in their opener before riding a strong performance from junior Gia Rodoni in a 1-0 win over No. 17 Louisiana-Lafayette in game two.
Baylor was unable to continue the offense it displayed when it rallied for seven runs in the final three innings against Charlotte on Saturday. The Bears were limited to one run on eight hits as they fell to Iowa 3-1 on Sunday morning.
Sophomore Goose McGlaun (2-1) took the loss despite pitching well for 6+ innings. She was pulled before being able to record the final out, so junior Regan Green came up to get the last out.
McGlaun allowed three runs on seven hits, but the one crushing hit was a two-run home run to sophomore outfielder McKenize Schneider in the top of the seventh inning.
Iowa tied the game at one in the fourth following an RBI double from senior outfielder Allie Wood. McGlaun was able to get out of the inning without any further damage.
Baylor struck first, getting a run in the first inning. Senior outfielder Jessie Scroggins singled and stole second base. She then scored on an RBI single to left field by senior first baseman Shelby Friudenberg.
The Bears had other opportunities, stranding nine on base. Baylor left two on in the first and fourth, one in the fifth and seventh innings and left the bases loaded in the sixth.
Scroggins led the way with three hits for Baylor.
Against Louisiana-Lafayette, Rodoni (6-2) was the star and looked more like herself in the circle, scattering eight hits with no walks and four strikeouts while going the distance.
The Rajin’ Cajuns had runners in every inning, but were unable to get the big hit when they needed it. They had a runner at third base in the first and fifth innings, but Rodoni made the big pitches when she needed them the most.
Louisiana-Lafayette had one more opportunity in the seventh, getting a runner to second base with two outs. Rodoni then got the final batter to ground out to third to preserve the 1-0 win.
McGlaun’s solo home run back in the second inning was the difference in the game.
Scroggins finished with two more hits, bringing her total to five on the day and boosting her average to .489.
Baylor finishes the tournament 2-3 after today’s split. The Bears went 4-1 last season, only losing to host Cal-State Fullerton in their tournament finale.
With the win over Louisiana-Lafayette, the Bears now have three wins over teams ranked in the Top 25 this season and are 3-2 overall in games against ranked opponents.
Baylor (11-3) will take on Long Beach State at 4 p.m. Tuesday before flying to the east coast for the Liberty Spring Classic in Lynchburg, Va.
