By Cody Soto
Sports Writer
No. 17 Baylor softball returned to Getterman Stadium on Tuesday to take a 10-3 win over Houston Baptist, but the Bears failed the real test over the weekend with two straight road losses to No. 9 Louisiana-Lafayette.
The Bears made the most out of eight hits on Tuesday, including two home runs from freshman first baseman Shelby Friudenberg and freshman catcher Sydney Christensen. It was Christensen’s first collegiate home run while Friudenberg tied for the most home runs made by a freshman in a season.
Freshman Caitlin Charlton tacked on three runs during the 10-3 win, and several other players added runs to defeat Houston Baptist. While the Bears looked dominant against a struggling Huskies team, Baylor will have to keep Saturday’s losses in the rear view mirror.
Game one was a close one. Junior pitcher Heather Stearns gave up two hits in the loss, and Baylor’s only run was a homer from junior third baseman Sarah Smith in the top of the fourth inning.
Game two was a different story. After a home run by Friudenberg put the Bears up 2-0 in the third inning, the Bears defense fell apart in the fourth. Baylor gave up 12 runs and allowed Louisiana-Lafayette to end the game early on a 10 run-rule.
Baylor (30-9, 5-1 Big 12) returns to conference play to battle No. 5 Oklahoma at 8 p.m. on Thursday in Norman, Okla. The Bears and Sooners face off on ESPN2.
