Tech drops slugfest to No. 18 Baylor

Saturday, April 15

Lubbock, Texas

2 p.m.

Texas Tech Athletics

Baylor

April 15, 2023 | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Arriana Villa went a perfect 3-for-3 with five RBIs

By: Hanna Cooper

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech dropped a wire-to-wire slugfest that evened the series with No. 18 Baylor, 16-11, Saturday afternoon at Rocky Johnson Field.

The Red Raiders (19-16, 3-8 Big 12) battled to tie the contest twice after falling behind 8-2 early in the game, but a five-run top of the seventh for No. 18 Baylor (32-10, 3-5 Big 12) would even the series.

Despite the loss, centerfielder Arriana Villa shined, going 3-for-3 with a career-high five RBIs. Tech also saw its largest crowd of the season for today's Saturday afternoon contest (781).

Today, it was the Bears that struck first in the top of the opening frame, tallying four runs highlighted by a three-run shot by Shaylon Govan. The Red Raiders responded with two runs of their own in the home half of the first, thanks to doubles by Kailey Wyckoff and Alanna Barrraza and a Villa single. Baylor would punch right back with a four-run second inning to take an 8-2 lead.

Erna Carlin entered in the second and fired scoreless frames in the third and fourth to keep the Bears at bay.

Villa again came in clutch in the bottom of the third, blasting a three-run homer over the center-field wall to bring Tech back within three, 8-5. After Carlin's second scoreless frame, the Red Raiders knotted the contest at eight in the bottom of the fourth.

Riley Love kickstarted the scoring with a double down the left field line to score Gabby Rawls, who reached with an infield single. Maddie Saven used a ground out to move Love to third and set up Makinzy Herzog for an RBI sacrifice fly. Wyckoff capped off the three-run inning with a solo home run to right field that tied up the contest.

A trio of hits and a hit by pitch would allow Baylor to plate three runs in the top of the fifth; however, Tech again chipped back at the lead as singles from Villa and Love brought the Red Raiders back within one, 10-9.

After a leadoff homer in the top of the sixth, Tech capitalized on a pair of walks and hits from Herzog and Demi Elder to again tie the contest at 11.

Sage Hoover (14-2) checked into the circle and quickly saw the bases loaded after two hits and a single. The righty would walk in a run before Ana Watson knocked a grand slam to set up the 16-11 final.

RyLee Crandall (12-4) earned the win after hurling 6.1 innings, where Tech produced 11 runs off 12 hits and five walks. Dariana Orme checked in and recorded the final two outs to secure the win for the Bears.

Next Up
The Red Raiders and Bears will both fight for the series win in tomorrow's Sunday finale. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.