Softball reaches Women's College World Series
by Derek Smith, MA '05
In a year that saw Baylor teams reach a BCS bowl, a Sweet 16 and an Elite Eight, it was the Baylor softball team that went further than anyone in green and gold. The Lady Bears capped a stellar 2014 campaign with their third trip to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla., where they advanced to the semifinals and finished fourth in the nation—matching the best finish in program history.
“This was a group that worked really hard, had big dreams and a lot of talent and was on a mission from the beginning,” head coach Glenn Moore said. “To see it all come together through a lot of hard work, it’s very gratifying.”
Led by Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year, Whitney Canion, and a record-setting offense, the Lady Bears made a trip to Oklahoma City their goal from the beginning of the year. Before the season began, Moore put together a grueling schedule for his squad, which featured tournaments in five different states that pitted the Lady Bears against some of the nation’s top competition to prepare them for the rigors of postseason play. In Big 12 play, the Lady Bears finished second, their best placement since winning the conference in 2007.
That stellar regular season earned the Lady Bears the right to host the regional round at Getterman Stadium, where they defeated Tulsa in the decisive seventh game of the Waco Regional to advance. Whitney Canion threw 305 pitches in the Sunday games against Tulsa to advance to the Super Regional in Athens, Ga. Just like they did in 2011, the Lady Bears dispatched Georgia and advanced to Oklahoma City.
“We didn’t take the easy road to the World Series,” Moore said. “I think it prepared us for the World Series, and I doubt many other teams had the road we had throughout the regular season.”
The Lady Bears may have finished second in the conference in the regular season, but they were the last Big 12 team standing in Oklahoma City. After a disappointing 11-0 loss to Florida in the opening game of the World Series, the Lady Bears bounced back to defeat Florida State 7-2, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic games in the history of Baylor softball. Trailing Kentucky by a score of 7-0 in the sixth inning of an elimination game, the Lady Bears roared back to score eight unanswered runs for a stunning 8-7 win in extra innings. The comeback was the largest in Women’s College World Series history.
“It was magical,” Moore said. “I said after the game, ‘I won’t forget that game until I forget who I am.’ The girls didn’t quit. Our fans were incredible, and it’s something that was really special for the program.”
“The team wasn’t just happy with being there. They thought they had a chance to win it, got gut-punched early, and bounced back to finish fourth in the nation.”
Baylor concluded the season with a 6-3 loss to the eventual national champion Florida Gators.
The Lady Bears’ 2014 senior class featuring Whitney Canion, Holly Holl, Clare Hosack and Liz Paul is among the most decorated in program history and is the only Baylor class ever to appear in the World Series twice. Canion exits as the program’s all-time leader in wins, strikeouts, appearances, innings pitched, complete games and shutouts.
“I’ve absolutely loved playing here,” Canion said. “I loved my decision to come to Baylor. I have great memories of each team I played on and Baylor friendships that will last forever. This team this year was special—what a way to go out my senior year.”
Coach Moore reflected after the final game, “God’s been good to us. Baylor, in all sports, is on the rise and has been for quite a while,” Moore reflected. “It’s just a higher standard here, and I look forward to what the future holds because we have some good athletes coming down the line.”
Baylor concluded the season with a 49-16 record.