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<a name="_Hlk490052374"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – </span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">March
 14, 2024</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">No. 13 Baylor Softball Travels to Kansas for Weekend Series</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:none">Bears facing the Jayhawks for 76<sup>th</sup> time in program history<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="BasicParagraph" style="border:none;padding:0in"><b><span style="font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">No. 13 BAYLOR</span></b><span style="font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif"> (16-5)
<b>vs </b><b>KANSAS </b>(16-7-1)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="BasicParagraph"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.1pt">Friday, March 15 • at Kansas • Lawrence, Kansas • Arrocha Ballpark • Radio: 101.3 FM
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.1pt">Saturday, March 16 • at Kansas • Lawrence, Kansas • Arrocha Ballpark • Radio: 101.3 FM<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif;letter-spacing:-.1pt">Sunday, March 17 • at Kansas • Lawrence, Kansas • Arrocha Ballpark • Radio: 101.3 FM<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif;text-transform:uppercase"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph"><b><span style="font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif;text-transform:uppercase">Story lines</span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• Baylor Softball continues Big 12 play this weekend as they head to Lawrence, Kan., to face the
 Jayhawks in a three-game series March 15-17 at Arrochoa Ballpark. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• The Bears (16-5, 1-2 Big 12) are facing Kansas (16-7-1, 1-2 Big 12) are facing off for the 76th
 time in program history. BU leads the all-time record over the Jayhawks 45-30 and the record in Lawrence, 18-11.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• BU picked up a midweek sweep over Lamar March 12, defeating the Cardinals 5-1 in game one and
 6-1 in game two. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• Baylor is now 16-5 on the season with all five of the Bears’ losses this season have come against
 ranked opponents. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• The Bears opened conference play against No. 7 Oklahoma State last week, going 1-2 on the weekend
 falling in the series opener and finale and shutting out the Cowgirls on Saturday.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• The team comes back to the diamond with a veteran squad that consists of seven seniors and 17
 upperclassmen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• After ending the 2023 campaign back in the NCAA postseason, the Bears are looking to build on
 last year’s 40-win season while returning all but one senior, Josie Bower, from the roster.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• Baylor added three freshmen to the squad with pitcher
<b>Lexie Warncke</b> and infielders, <b>Paige King</b> and <b>Leah Cran</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• Baylor is ranked in all four national polls: No. 14 (Softball America), No. 10 (D1Softball),
 No. 13 (ESPN/USA Softball) and No. 19 (USA Today/NFCA). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• The Bears have already faced six ranked teams this season: No. 2 Tennessee, No. 23 Louisiana,
 No. 25 Oregon, No. 19 UCLA, No. 13 Missouri and No. 7 Oklahoma State. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• The Bears are excelling in the circle this season, with a 1.97 ERA as a team.
<b>RyLee Crandall</b> leads the way with a 7-0 record, with 12 appearances and a 1.24 ERA.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">•
<b>Crandall</b> picked up Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors for the Bears’ win over No. 7 Oklahoma State, where she pitched a one-hit complete-game shutout. The sophomore was one hit away from a perfect game, effectively retiring 21 of 22 at bats. She only
 walked three batters in her 11.0 innings pitched, while striking out six last week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">•
<b>Aliyah Binford</b> has a team-leading 66 strikeouts and holds a 5-4 record. She is currently ranked No. 31 in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings and is first in the Big 12 in strikeouts.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">•
<b>Sydney Collazos</b> has been a threat behind the plate, throwing out eight runners so far this season and picking off two batters, one at first and one at third. She is tied for fifth in the country in caught stealing by records.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">•
<b>Shaylon Govan</b> leads the Bears with a .500 average, 26 hits, four doubles and two home runs. Her batting average is good for first in the Big 12 and ties for fourth nationally, while her on base percentage is good for third nationally. With her .623 on
 base percentage, <b>Govan</b> is ranked 20th in the country in walks per game and has been walked 17 times so far this season.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">•
<b>Kaci West</b> has three saves on the season, which is good for first in the Big 12 and ties her at 11th nationally.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• The 2024 squad has turned 15 total double plays already this season. The Bears are ranked No.
 1 nationally in double plays turned per game (.71) with 15 turned through 21 games.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BasicParagraph" style="margin-left:5.0pt;text-indent:-5.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:120%;font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• Sixteen different Bears have recorded a hit so far this season, with
<b>Govan</b> leading the way with 26, followed by<b> Taylor Strain </b>with 22. There are six Bears with double-digit hits already on the season.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Univers Condensed",sans-serif">• Head coach
<b>Glenn Moore</b> hit his 1,000th career win last season, when the Bears took down UT Arlington on March 23, 2023. He is looking for his 900th win at Baylor this season and is six wins away from that milestone.</span><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;letter-spacing:.25pt;background:white"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;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"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">__________________________________</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:6.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#154734;mso-ligatures:none">Katy Gilmore</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> | Associate Director
 of Athletic Communications</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Department of Athletics | Baylor University</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">O: 254-710-2743 | C: 254-252-2182</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://baylorbears.com/" title="http://baylorbears.com/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;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@01DA75EA.88951680" alt="cidimage002.png@01D79F3C.9D2300D0"></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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