Baylor broke the Houston softball team’s 22-game home win streak Wednesday at Cougar Softball Stadium when the Bears and the Cougars split a doubleheader.
"We just didn’t do the little things and make the adjustments," senior outfielder Laurie Wagner said.
Game 2 opened with the Bears bringing in two runs on an RBI single from senior first baseman Jordan Daniels, and sophomore catcher Courtney Oberg scored on a sacrifice fly from freshman second baseman Meagan Weldon in the top of the first.
Freshman infielder Jennifer Klinkert put the Cougars on the board with an RBI double in the bottom of the third, and senior outfielder Laurie Wagner hit an RBI single to bring the Cougars within a run.
Baylor continued its run in the top of the sixth with an RBI single from Colyer. An RBI single from Oberg in the top of the seventh and a run scored on a fielder’s choice from sophomore centerfielder Nicole Wesley put the Bears up 7-2.
Even with a home run from junior catcher Elaina Nordstrom in the bottom of the seventh, the Cougars were unable to come back and the game ended at 7-3.
"We didn’t make the adjustments to the high pitch like we should have," Wagner said. "They put the ball on the ground, and we didn’t. We kept putting the ball in the air, and you can’t win ball games by hitting in the air."
Freshman pitcher Baillie Lott pitched all seven innings, giving up 12 hits and seven runs (five earned) while striking out five.
The Bears scored early in Game 1 with an RBI single from Daniels in the top of the first.
UH came back quickly, putting four runs on the board after a grand slam from Wagner, bringing her batting average to .420 to lead the Cougars. The hit was the 13th home run and the Cougars’ fifth grand slam of the season.
"I’ve been working on hitting the ball," Wagner said. "Last year I was looking to walk and looking for balls, but this year I’m looking to drive. It’s really helped a lot."
Nordstrom hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth and was brought in by Klinkert on an RBI single.
Wagner hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth to tie for second place for the UH career home run record at 14, putting the Cougars up 8-1.
"Last year I didn’t have a great season," Wagner said. "Coming out big is a big deal, but I have a great team behind me, in front of me and all around me."
The Bears rallied in the top of the fifth with a home run from junior third baseman Brette Reagan and an RBI double from Daniels to bring the final score to 8-3.
Senior pitcher Angel Shamblin pitched all seven innings, giving up nine hits and three runs while striking out six.
The Cougars head to Tulsa for their next Conference USA series Saturday and Sunday.
