Baylor SB Drops Series Opener at UCF

[Roberts, Matt]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – March 13, 2026

Baylor SB Drops Series Opener at UCF
BU’s Marshall blasts a two-run shot as the Bears come up just short
For more information, contact: Matt Roberts, 254-227-2280, WM_Roberts at Baylor.edu<mailto:WM_Roberts at Baylor.edu>

ORLANDO, Fla. – Baylor softball came up just short in the series opener at No. 22 UCF on Friday night, falling 4-3 at the UCF Softball Complex.

Despite a late rally highlighted by a two-run homer from Kaygen Marshall, the Bears were unable to complete the comeback, dropping to 18-7 and 3-1 in Big 12 Play.

RUNDOWN

UCF struck first in the bottom of the third inning when Izzy Mertes doubled to left-center field to drive in Aubrey Evans, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead.

Baylor responded in the fourth inning when Karynton Dawson tripled to deep center and later scored on a passed ball, tying the game at one.

The Knights reclaimed the lead in the fifth with a three-run inning. After a walk and a couple of bunt singles put runners aboard, Mertes lifted a sacrifice fly to score the go-ahead run. Beth Damon then delivered a two-run single to right field to push UCF ahead 4-1.

The Bears answered in the sixth when Faith Piper singled to start the rally before Marshall launched her fifth homerun of the season, a two-run shot to left, trimming the deficit to 4-3.

Baylor threatened again late but was unable to push across the tying run in the seventh as UCF pitcher Isabella Vega closed out the victory.

GAME NOTES

  *   Baylor is 12-4 against UCF and 2-3 in Orlando
  *   The Bears are now 3-4 on the road, moving to 8-4 away from Getterman Stadium
  *   Baylor is now 4-5 this season when the opponent scores first
  *   BU is now 4-2 this season when wearing anthracite jerseys and anthracite pants
  *   The Bears used a 25th-different lineup combination this season
  *   Glenn Moore is 1,099-542 all-time and 960-500 at Baylor
  *   Kaygen Marshall delivered her fifth homerun of the season, becoming the first freshman since Aliyah Binford in 2020 to hit five dingers in her freshman season
  *   Marshall is now fourth on the team with 14 RBIs
  *   Karynton Dawson hit her third triple of the season, one away from matching her career-high of four, set a season ago
  *   With a fifth-inning walk, Brooklyn Carter extended her season-best on-base streak to six games
  *   Cambree Creager’s four runs allowed are her most since surrendering six in the second game of the season against New Mexico on Feb. 6
  *   Lexie Warncke retired each of the last five hitters she faced.

WHAT’S NEXT

Baylor continue the series on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT. All games for the remainder of the season will be televised on ESPN+<https://www.espn.com/search/_/q/baylor/o/watch> and heard on air and online via 101.3 COOL FM.<https://listen.streamon.fm/kbhthd2>

Follow @BaylorSoftball on X, Instagram and Facebook for additional updates.

—BaylorBears.com—

Matt Roberts | Director of Athletic Communications
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 254-227-2280
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