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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. 23, 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. 22 Baylor Softball Takes Down No. 25 Oregon, Notre Dame in 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 win two in opening day of Mary Nutter Classic</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">CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. –</span></b><span style="color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white"> No. 22 Baylor Softball took down No. 25 Oregon, 3-2, and Notre Dame,
10-9, Thursday night to open the Mary Nutter Classic with a doubleheader sweep.<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">McKenzie Wilson started the Bears off strong with a single up the middle to lead off the game. Although no runners came around to score in the top half of the inning, BU held Oregon scoreless in the bottom half of the frame.
<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">Striking first, Emily Hott drew a leadoff walk in the top of the second, before Amber Toven singled and both advanced a base on a wild pitch. With two on and one out, Shannon
Vivoda singled to centerfield scoring the Bears’ first run of the game. Ana Watson then walked to load the bases but that would be all for the Bears in the second.
<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">Pitcher RyLee Crandall struck out two Ducks in the bottom of the second as she tossed her second consecutive scoreless frame.
<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">Shaylon Govan and Hott each recorded hits in the top of the third, but the Bears would take the 1-0 lead into the bottom half of the inning where catcher Sydney Collazos would erase the only
baserunner, throwing her out as she tried to steal second base. <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">Oregon tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the fourth when an error by the Bears plated a run.
<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">Giving the Bears some much needed insurance in the top of the fifth, a bases-loaded single from Collazos plated two and the Bears took the 3-1 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">Baylor carried their two-run lead into the bottom of the seventh, when a one-out double plated one run and the Ducks had the tying run on third. A pop-up to Crandall ended the threat as the Bears
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">Baylor started game two allowing the first runner to reach base, but Collazos threw the runner out trying to steal second to erase 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">Wilson picked up where she left off in game one, singling to start the second game and taking second base on an error. She advanced to third on a deep fly out off of Govan’s bat, before a single
from Hott through the right-side brought home the Bears’ first run. <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">After a quick 1-2-3 inning for both sides in the second, Notre Dame took the 3-1 lead in the top of the third after the Bears walked in a run followed by a sacrifice fly and a single plated the
next two runs. <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 responded quick in the bottom half of the inning, after a game-tying two-run blast from Govan knotted the game at 3-3.
<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 was able to regain the lead in the bottom half of the fourth. Back-to-back singles from Vivoda and Leah Cran put two on for Presleigh Pilon who recorded a single for herself, allowing
Vivoda to score after a Notre Dame throwing error. <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">With the 4-3 lead, the Bears retired the Fighting Irish in order in the fifth with Aliyah Binford picking up two strikeouts.
<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 doubled in the bottom half of the fifth and Govan recorded a walk, before Collazos was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but the Bears wouldn’t have any runs come across.
<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 busted the game open in the bottom of the sixth when they posted a four-spot to take the 8-3 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">Taylor Strain got things started with a single through the left side, before Cran walked and Pilon laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position. Wilson continued her hot
hitting streak, lacing a two-RBI double into left-center field. After stealing second, Wilson came home when Govan doubled down the left field line. Accounting for the last run of the inning, pinch runner Ana Watson scored after Hott reached on a fielding
error by the Notre Dame shortstop. <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 Fighting Irish wouldn’t go quietly, as they strung together six hits in the top of the seventh to plate six runs and regain the lead, 9-8. The Bears’ defense got out of the inning by turning
a double play to stop 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">Down a run, Strain singled and Cran doubled to put two on with no one out in the bottom of the seventh. To tie the game, Pilon reached on an error, as Strain came home to score. Wanting to put
this one away, Wilson reached base on a fielder’s choice that brought Cran home to score as the throw home was not in time, leaving the Bears with the 10-9 victory.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><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">McKenzie Wilson totaled five hits over the two games with three RBIs and one double<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 went 2-for-3 in game two with three RBIs, a double, a home run and a walk<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">Govan’s home run was her first of the 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">Taylor Strain and Leah Cran each recorded two hits 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">Cran recorded her first career double<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">Baylor totaled 14 hits against Notre Dame from nine different Bears<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">Shannon Vivoda went 2-for-3 at the plate in game one with one RBI<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">The Bears out-hit the Ducks 9-5<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 improved to 3-0 on the season, striking out four and only allowing two earned 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">Crandall pitched her first complete game of the season against Oregon<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 is now 2-2 on the season, while striking out five<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">Dariana Orme picked up her first start of the 2024 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">Sydney Collazos has now thrown out the last six runners that have tried to steal a base on her<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<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 face UC Riverside Friday, Feb. 23, at 10:30 p.m. CT for day two of the Mary Nutter Classic.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> </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@01DA65F8.FE8E3BC0" 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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