Softball action in the Big 12 got started this weekend, with five series on the diamond across the country.
For the past few years, Bryan Clinton has been our softball guy here at Heartland College Sports, and he was a fine one. He’s moved on to bigger and better things, so as I wrap up basketball, I’m taking the baton for softball. Be kind. I’m ramping up.
Four ranked teams were in action this weekend, with one taking a big hit from an unranked team that was on a roll going into the series. Only one series didn’t end in a sweep.
Here’s a wrap of Week 1 of Big 12 softball play.
Big 12 Softball Series Recaps
BYU (5-17, 0-3) at No. 13 Arizona (20-5, 3-0)
Game 1: Arizona 13, BYU 5 (5 innings)
Game 2: Arizona 8, BYU 0 (5 innings)
Game 3: Arizona 16, BYU 3 (5 innings)
The Wildcats have been rolling of late and ended the weekend extending their streak of run-rule victories to eight games. Pitcher Jalen Adams took the victory on Sunday and improved to 11-3 for the season. In 10 innings she gave up five hits and four runs, only two of which were earned. Sydney Stewart had five RBI in Game 1 and homered in Game 3. BYU got a home run from Ilove’a Brittingham to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead in Game 3 before things got away from them.
UCF (22-5, 2-1) at No. 19 Oklahoma State (17-7, 1-2)
Game 1: UCF 4, Oklahoma State 1
Game 2: Oklahoma State 2, UCF 1
Game 3: UCF 6, Oklahoma State 4
UCF clinched the series win on Sunday in Stillwater. Beth Damon homered and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly for the Knights, the latter of which gave them the lead for good. UCF pitcher Isabeela Vega (7-2) claimed the victory. OSU won Saturday’s game after Gabby Castillo drew a walk-off walk in the seventh off UCF pitcher Ava Stuewe. OSU’s Ruby Meylan claimed the win and Damon hit another home run for the Knights. Izzy Mertes slammed a three-run home run that was the difference for UCF in the opener.
Iowa State (13-9, 0-3) at Baylor (17-6, 3-0)
Game 1: Baylor 8, Iowa State 1
Game 2: Baylor 4, Iowa State 2
Game 3: Baylor 5, Iowa State 4
Weather in Waco forced the Cyclones and Baylor to play a Friday doubleheader. Baylor pitching held the Cyclones to seven runs in the three games to start conference play with a sweep. Karynton Dawson paced BU in Game with two hits and three RBI. Cambree Creager claimed the win. In the nightcap on Friday, Iowa State took a 2-0 but lost it in the fourth inning. Baylor’s Brooklyn Carter went 2-for-4.
Game 3 was suspended due to rain for 18 hours and Baylor had a 4-0 lead before Iowa State rallied, which included a three-run home run by McKenna Andrews. Baylor walked it off for its first Big 12 sweep in nearly a year.
No. 2 Texas Tech (25-1, 3-0) at Houston (15-10, 0-3)
Game 1: Texas Tech 10, Houston 0
Game 2: Texas Tech 11, Houston 1
Game 3: Texas Tech 12, Houston 6
Tech dominated the weekend, with pitcher NiJaree Canady throwing her second straight no-hitter in Game 1 while Kaitlyn Terry remained undefeated for the season in Game 2. The Red Raiders and the Cougars played a doubleheader due to weather. Terry went 5-for-6 with seven RBI in the doubleheader.
Houston got traction in the finale, with help from a Maddie Hartley home run and two RBI from Taylor Shelby. But Tech hit three home runs, with a three-run shot from Hailey Toney in the seventh inning lifting the Red Raiders to the sweep.
Utah (21-5, 3-0) at No. 22 Arizona State (19-6, 0-3)
Game 1: Utah 9, Arizona State 5
Game 2: Utah 15, Arizona State 0
Game 3: Utah 11, Arizona State 6
A Utah road sweep of ranked Arizona State qualifies as the surprise of the weekend. The Utes run ruled the Sun Devils twice, but Game 1 went eight innings. Tied 2-2 after seven innings, Utah scored seven runs and Arizona State answered with three runs. Hailee White brought in the go-ahead run for the Utes with a single.
Utah dominated Game 2, as Shonty Passi homered twice and pitcher Hailey Maestretti threw her fourth shutout of the season. Arizona State’s Kaylee Pond had her team-leading 10th multi-RBI game on Sunday in the loss. Utah got a boost with home runs from Mia Gomez and Payton Crank.
