Big Fourth Inning Propels Bears Past Kansas, 8-1
April 6, 2008
WACO, Texas –
Baylor’s Shaina Brock limited <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Kansas softball to just four hits, while the Bears exploded for 10 as the Jayhawks fell 8-1 to Baylor to split their Big 12 Conference weekend series.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Kansas drops to 29-10 and 3-3 in Big 12 play. Baylor improves to 20-13 overall and 3-6 in conference games.
Just a day after KU connected for 10 hits and six runs to defeat Baylor 6-3, the Jayhawks’ bats fell silent in the series finale unable find an offensive answer.
Baylor jumped on the board in the bottom of the first inning taking a 1-0 edge before rallying for six runs on five hits in the fourth for a commanding 7-1 lead. The Bears tacked on one more run in the fifth.
The Jayhawks scored their lone run in the game in the top of the third inning off a pair of hits. Senior Betsy Wilson led off the inning with a line drive up the middle. She stood stuck on first for two outs before sophomore Amanda Jobe stroked a double to plate Wilson, her 18th RBI of the season.
Kansas failed to capitalize on a scoring opportunity in the second. Junior Val Chapple started the frame with a base hit to third base. Sophomore Sara Ramirez later took first on an error by Baylor’s shortstop and both runners moved over one on a wild pitch, but a pop-up by freshman Allie Clark ended the inning.
Baylor retired three straight KU batters in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings until freshman Brittany Hile recorded Kansas’ fourth hit of the game, a double, in the final inning.
Kansas continues its six-game road swing this week as it heads to Fayetteville, Ark., Thursday, April 10. The Jayhawks are scheduled for a twin bill against Arkansas starting at 3 p.m.
