Texas dominates Baylor with 13-4 Run-Rule victory

OKLAHOMA CITY – Baylor head softball coach Glenn Moore understands the challenge of playing powerhouse teams like Texas or Oklahoma; it’s not about outsmarting them.

Powered by two six-run innings, the top-seeded Longhorns rolled to a 14-3 victory over the fourth-seeded Bears in a five-set victory in the semifinals of the Phillips 66 Softball Big Tournament 12, Friday night at OGE Field. in Devon Park.

Moore stressed the need for his team to improve its performance on the mound.

“To beat them, you have to control their offense while throwing,” Moore said. “In the past, when we beat them, that was our formula. You can’t afford to give up a lot of points.”

Despite Baylor beating a top five team like Texas last year, allowing just four points all weekend, they were unable to repeat that success this year.

The Longhorns clinched a spot in Saturday’s Big 12 championship game with their fourth win over Baylor this season.

Texas took an early lead, taking advantage of sophomore right-handed pitcher RyLee Crandall, who allowed five earned runs on five hits, including a three-run homer.

Crandall (14-8) was replaced before the Bears recorded their first out of the game.

Moore noted that Crandall hasn’t quite returned to her form from last year, when she had a 3.05 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 130.2 innings pitched and earned a spot in the All-Big 12 Freshman team.

“You can have eight elite players in our sport, but without a high-performing pitcher, especially against elite teams like Texas, it’s going to be a tough day,” Moore said. “We don’t blame, but it all starts in the circle, and everyone who knows this sport knows that.”