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<a name="_Hlk490052374"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – </span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Feb. 9, 2024</span></b><span style="color:#212121;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">No. 19 Baylor Softball Falls to No. 2 Tennessee in Opening-Day Doubleheader<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Bears look to bounce back in Saturday series finale</span></b><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><br>
</span></i><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">For more information contact: </span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Katy Gilmore, 254-252-2182, </span><a href="mailto:katy_gilmore@baylor.edu" title="mailto:katy_gilmore@baylor.edu"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none">katy_gilmore@baylor.edu</span></a><u><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none"> </span></u><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> </span><span style="color:#212121"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white">WACO, Texas –</span></b><span style="color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white"> No. 19 Baylor Softball dropped both ends of an opening-day doubleheader against
No. 2 Tennessee Friday night at Getterman Stadium, losing a 3-2 heartbreaker in game one and then falling 9-1 in the nightcap.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">THE RUNDOWN</span></b><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><br>
<span style="background:white">The Bears came out strong in game one when starting pitcher RyLee Crandall struck out three in the first inning. Emily Hott and Shaylon Govan came out swinging in the bottom half of the inning, recording back-to-back singles and
Govan advancing to third on a throwing error, but no Bears would come around to score.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:none">After another 1-2-3 outing for Crandall in the second, Ana Watson singled and Amber Toven reached on a fielder’s choice but that would be it for the Bears.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:none">A single Lady Vol reached base in the top half of the third on a BU error, but Baylor returned the favor with McKenzie Wilson reaching base in the bottom half of the inning on
an error as well. With Wilson on, Hott barreled up a ball and doubled to left center, bringing home Wilson from first.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">The Bears again retired Tennessee in order in the top of the fourth and only walked one in the top of the fifth before a fielder choice and double play ended the threat.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Hott, who was on fire on opening day, homered in the bottom of the fifth to double the Bears’ lead and give them the 2-0 advantage.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Crandall took a no-hitter into the sixth, but the Lady Vols had back-to-back two-out hits to plate a run and cut Baylor’s lead in half.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Amber Toven singled in the bottom of the sixth, but it wouldn’t be enough as Tennessee launched a two-run home run over the fence in centerfield in the top of the seventh to take the 3-2 lead.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">The Bears put two runners on via walks in the bottom half of the seventh but couldn’t bring them home as Tennessee took game one.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">BU had a rocky start in game two as a wild pitch and an error brought home the Lady Vols’ first run of the game.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">The Bears were able to answer in the bottom half of the first, after Hott walked and Aliyah Binford was hit by a pitch to put two on for Sydney Collazos. The senior catcher roped a line drive
into center field, bringing home Hott and knotting the game at 1-1. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Baylor held its own and created chances in the second and third innings, but Tennessee took the 3-1 lead in the third on back-to-back homers.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Binford, Taylor Strain and Govan strung together singles in each of the next three innings, but the Lady Vols took the 4-1 lead into the top of the sixth, when they were able to plate five and
take the commanding 9-1 lead. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Strain singled in the bottom of the sixth, but the Bears ultimately fell in game two.
<br>
<span style="background:white"> </span><br>
<b>HIGHLIGHTS</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">Emily Hott went 3-for-6 on the day with a double and a home run, scoring two runs<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">Taylor strain went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in game two<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">Shaylon Govan notched two hits<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">Abi Flores made her first appearance after her redshirt freshman season and singled in her first at-bat<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">Leah Cran and Lexie Warncke also made their first-career appearances<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">RyLee Crandall struck out four in 5.2 innings pitched
<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">Aliyah Binford made her first appearance after a season-ending knee injury last season<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">Seven different Bears recorded a hit <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
<span style="mso-ligatures:none">BU out-hit Tennessee in both games<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">QUOTABLE</span></b><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><br>
<b>Head coach <i>Glenn Moore</i> on the game: </b><span style="background:white">"</span></span><span style="color:black">We did. It was tough. Make a mistake at shortstop and give them open the door for them, but that's the difference between a No. 2 team
in the country and a No. 22 team, and I told the girls that. It's not a lot of difference in talent, I don't think, it's just a team that has been there. If you don't give them that foot in the door, then it doesn't matter. But we did, and they capitalized
on it, so you tip your hat to them. It didn't change the way we played overall, I thought we had an outstanding game. RyLee was amazing, she had a no-hitter into the sixth. That's very promising.</span>”<span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Emily Hott on her performance at the plate: “</span></b><span style="color:black">You know, I honestly had like a God moment in the
batter’s box before. I was just like, ‘I’ve seen the direction here. And just on my heart, God is my shepherd.’ And I think it just goes to, we’ve been hitting after every single practice, it’s me, Shay, Syd and Amber, our little hitting group. And it’s just
putting in that work gives you the confidence to go up against anybody.</span>”<span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">UP NEXT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none">The Bears will play No. 2 Tennessee in the series finale Saturday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. at Getterman Stadium.</span><span style="color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white">-BaylorBears.com-</span></i><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">-- <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">__________________________________</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:6.5pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#154734;mso-ligatures:none">Katy Gilmore</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> | Associate Director of Athletic Communications</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Department of Athletics | Baylor University</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">O: 254-710-2743 | C: 254-252-2182</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://baylorbears.com/" title="http://baylorbears.com/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="160" height="44" style="width:1.6666in;height:.4583in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DA5BBA.ED7678E0" alt="cidimage002.png@01D79F3C.9D2300D0"></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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