Leah Cran Powers Baylor Past Oregon State in Comeback Win
SAN DIEGO - Down early but never out, Baylor found its spark in the middle innings and rode a power surge from junior Leah Cran to a gritty 5-4 win over Oregon State on Friday. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was the kind of win that says a lot about a team’s fight - and Baylor showed they’ve got plenty of it.
Trailing 3-0 in the fourth, the Bears looked like they were on the ropes. Oregon State had the momentum, the lead, and control of the pace. But Baylor started chipping away, and once the offense got rolling, it didn’t look back.
Sophomore Jayden King broke the ice in the fourth, crossing the plate to give the Bears their first run and a much-needed jolt. Then came the fifth - and that’s when Leah Cran took over.
Cran, who’s been swinging a hot bat early this season, delivered in a big way with a three-run homer to left that flipped the game on its head. It was the kind of swing that changes not just the scoreboard, but the energy in the dugout. Her blast capped a four-run inning that turned a 4-1 deficit into a 5-4 Baylor lead.
Cran finished the day 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs - a full day’s work and then some. Her ability to come through in the clutch was exactly what Baylor needed to get back in the win column.
She wasn’t the only Bear making noise at the plate. Senior Amber Toven kept her strong start to the season going, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Brooklyn Carter added a 2-for-3 performance of her own, including a double, helping fuel Baylor’s offensive turnaround.
In the circle, Cambree Creager came through in relief. The sophomore right-hander picked up her first win of the season with 2.1 shutout innings. She gave up just one hit, walked one, and struck out two - a calm, composed outing that helped Baylor hold onto its narrow lead.
And when it came time to close the door, the Bears’ defense stepped up. With the tying run looming in the top of the seventh, it was Toven who made the final play - leaping to snag a liner and seal the win.
This was a team win in every sense. Timely hitting, solid relief pitching, and a clutch defensive play to finish it off. Baylor moves to 6-2 on the season, and if Friday’s comeback is any indication, this group has the resilience and firepower to make some noise as the schedule heats up.