Baylor Softball Rides Momentum into Final Home Game Before Grueling Road Stretch
Baylor Softball is closing out its six-game homestand Tuesday night with a matchup against South Dakota State, and if the weekend was any indication, the Bears are heating up at just the right time. After a wild run through the Getterman Classic that featured three walk-off wins-including two in one day-Baylor is showing early signs of a team that’s not just gritty, but clutch when it matters most.
The Bears went 4-1 over the weekend, and the drama was high from the jump. Friday’s walk-off win over New Mexico set the tone, and the team kept the fireworks coming with another walk-off later that same day against Wichita State. The bats were loud, the energy was louder, and several Bears stepped up in big moments.
Toven Leads the Charge, Again
Veteran shortstop Amber Toven was at the center of it all, slugging her way to a 1.091 mark over the weekend, including two home runs-one of which walked off the Lobos on Friday. Toven’s experience (165 college games under her belt, 118 in Baylor colors) continues to be a steadying force for this team, and she’s anchoring the defense while setting the tone at the plate.
She wasn’t alone. Leah Cran tied for the team-high with six hits, hitting .429 over the five-game stretch and driving in three runs.
Faith Piper, now holding down second base, collected a hit in every game, extending her hitting streak to six-just one shy of her career best. That kind of consistency is what Baylor will need as it heads into a 10-game road trip.
Fresh Faces Making Big Plays
Freshman Gianna Gusman had a breakout weekend, tying for the team lead with five RBIs. Her bases-clearing double against Northwestern State sparked a 9-1 win to close the tournament and capped off a weekend where Baylor’s young talent made a serious statement.
Gusman, along with fellow freshmen Olivia Buettner, Kaygen Marshall and Harper Haas, combined for 10 hits and nine RBIs. Marshall’s two-RBI single against Wichita State was a game-tying moment that helped set up another walk-off finish.
Speaking of impact performances, sophomore Karynton Dawson had a career-best four-hit game against New Mexico and later delivered the game-winning RBI against Wichita State. Dawson’s speed and versatility continue to be a weapon in the outfield and on the basepaths.
Tanner Dominates in the Circle
In the circle, Peyton Tanner turned heads with a dominant outing in the finale. She scattered five hits over four innings and struck out a career-high nine batters-becoming the first Baylor pitcher to notch nine or more Ks in a game since Aliyah Binford back in May 2024. Tanner, who brings Women’s College World Series experience from Tennessee, is showing signs of becoming a true ace.
A Strong Start, and a Steep Climb Ahead
With the 4-1 start, Baylor is off to its best opening since 2023-a season that ended with an NCAA Tournament appearance. This marks the 15th time under head coach Glenn Moore that the Bears have opened 4-1 or better.
Now in his 30th season as a head coach, Moore ranks ninth among all active coaches in career wins (1,085) and sixth among power-conference coaches. Under his watch, Baylor has consistently outperformed expectations-including in 17 of his previous 25 seasons in Waco.
The Bears have been nearly unbeatable at Getterman Stadium, boasting a 491-194 all-time record at home. They’ve had a winning record in all but one full season since the stadium opened in 1999. Their Getterman Classic resume is just as impressive-Baylor is now 90-21 all-time in the tournament, with three perfect 6-0 runs in its history (2002, 2003, 2005).
But the road ahead is anything but easy.
A Schedule Packed with Heavy Hitters
Starting with the Campbell/Cartier Classic at San Diego State, Baylor hits the road for 10 straight games. The Bears are set to face 14 teams ranked in the ESPN/USA Softball Preseason Top 25, including both No. 1 teams in Texas and Texas Tech.
The gauntlet includes road games at No. 12 Clemson, RV UCF, and both top-ranked Texas squads.
The home slate doesn’t get any softer. Baylor will host No.
1 Texas (March 21), No. 11 Texas A&M (April 15), and No.
20 Oklahoma State (April 24-26). If the Bears want to make noise nationally, they’ll have plenty of chances to prove themselves.
Veteran Leadership, Fresh Talent, and a New Look
Brooklyn Carter, a preseason All-Big 12 selection, continues to be a menace on the basepaths. With 73 career stolen bases, she ranks second among Power Four players and seventh nationally. Her speed and savvy are elite, and she’s a key piece of Baylor’s offensive identity.
The Bears are also adjusting to life without Shaylon Govan, the program’s second three-time All-American. But the mix of experienced returners and high-upside freshmen is starting to click.
Piper has stepped into the second base role vacated by Presleigh Pilon, and her chemistry with Toven could be the key to chasing down Baylor’s double-play record (31 in 2023). They were just three shy of that mark last season with 28.
Freshman Kaygen Marshall-named to D1Softball’s D100 Freshmen Watch List-joins Gusman and Haas on the Softball America Big 12 Freshman Watch List. This young core is already making waves, and the ceiling is high.
Toven, Carter, and Tanner all bring WCWS experience from previous programs (Arizona, Washington, and Tennessee, respectively), giving this team a battle-tested edge.
And off the field, Baylor just unveiled its newly renovated Peggy Hawkins Softball Locker Room. The five-month, half-million-dollar project delivered state-of-the-art upgrades-flat-screen TVs, a nutrition center, a lounge, and more. It’s a testament to the investment being made in this program, and it’s already paying dividends.
What’s Next
First up: South Dakota State, Tuesday night at 5 p.m. on ESPN+. Then it’s time to pack the bags and hit the road for a crucial early-season stretch that will test this team’s depth, resilience, and identity.
If the Getterman Classic was a preview, Baylor fans have plenty to be excited about. This squad has the pieces, the pedigree, and the poise to make another postseason run-and they’re just getting started.