By Ben Everett | Sports Writer
No. 21-ranked Baylor softball defeated Kansas in a doubleheader Friday night to take the weekend series.
The Lady Bears (28-13, 6-6) took advantage of a shifted series due to inclement weather to clinch the series on Friday over the Jayhawks (25-20, 0-11).
In game one, the Lady Bears led from start to finish in a 4-1 victory.
Senior center fielder Jessie Scroggins got things started for Baylor with a single before scoring on an RBI double from sophomore third baseman Goose McGlaun to give the Lady Bears a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
In the bottom of the second, Scroggins passed Lindsey Cargill for most career hits in Baylor program history with a single to put two on base. Junior left fielder Kyla Walker finished the job with a 2 RBI triple to put Baylor up 3-0.
Scroggins said breaking Cargill’s record is meaningful because of how great of a player she was.
“She was a great hitter,” Scroggins said. “She set the bar high and I get to set the bar higher, so that’s awesome.”
Junior starting pitcher Gia Rodoni went four innings without giving up any runs, but surrendered a solo homer in the top of the fifth as the Jayhawks cut the lead to 3-1.
Walker added an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to cement the 4-1 win for the Lady Bears.
In the second game, Baylor won a low scoring battle behind a seven inning performance from junior pitcher Regan Green.
In the bottom of the second inning, freshman designated player Hannah Smith notched in RBI single to give the Lady Bears a 1-0 lead.
The Jayhawks tied the ballgame in the top of the fourth as Green surrendered her only run of the game on an RBI single.
Smith came up clutch in the bottom of the sixth inning, picking up another RBI to seal the win for Baylor.
Smith said being able to contribute to the win was important due to her recent slump.
“I’m pretty excited,” Smith said. “I haven’t been hitting my best so it was good to turn around and do something different for a change.”
Baylor head coach Glenn Moore said the Lady Bears’ offense was lackluster, but made plays when it counted.
“We got them when we had to have them I guess,” Moore said. “We’ve just got to be happy with wins right now. I told the team our offense will come around, I really believe it will.”
The Lady Bears look to complete the sweep of Kansas at 12 p.m. Sunday at Getterman Stadium.
