#20, Win over nationally-ranked Bears
11/26/2010 9:30:00 AM | Softball
Backed by an aggressive defense, Bearkat pitcher Morgan Mikulin pitched a gem for a 4-0 shutout of No. 23 ranked Baylor in the first game of a non-conference softball doubleheader at Bearkat Softball Complex.
Mikulin (7-12) allowed the Bears only four hits in the opening game as the senior struck out four and did not give up a walk. Baylor starter Courtney Repka (11-5) was more generous, walking four Bearkats. Three SHSU runs came from those walks.
Repka walked the bases full with one out in the bottom of the third inning. First baseman Amy Brown hit a chopper over the pitcher's head to score third baseman Shelbi Tucker. On the play, the Bears' shortstop misplayed the ball to score Hailey Wiginton and move right fielder Erin Burford to third base. Senior pitcher Morgan Mikulin's deep fly ball to center scored Burford.
The Bears loaded the bases with one out after a hit batter, an error and a single in the top of the fourth. But two force outs at home got the Bearkats out of the inning.
Wiginton batted in another run for the Kats in the fourth on a fielder's choice, scoring Kim Damian. The center fielder got on a base on a fielder's choice and moved to third on a double down the left field line by third baseman Shelbi Tucker.
"We're really proud of the girls for that great win in the first game," SHSU head coach Bob Brock said after the game. "Morgan pitched a really efficient game, we made some big defensive plays and we took advantage of what they gave us."
Baylor came into the doubleheader ranked No. 2 in hitting in the Big 12. But Sam Houston held the Bears scoreless for 10 consecutive innings. First baseman Courtney Nieten finally put Baylor on the board with a home run in the fourth inning of the second game.
