Baylor softball ranked No. 22 nationally as Big 12 play begins

If you haven’t been following Baylor softball closely this season, now might be a good time to start paying attention.

Few outside Getterman Stadium expected big things from head coach Glenn Moore’s team this year — the Bears began the season unranked, and were picked to finish fourth in the Big 12 by league coaches. But six weeks into the season, things are looking a little different.

The Bears enter Big 12 play this weekend with a sparkling 23-5 record and ranked No. 22 in the nation. They made headlines in the season’s second weekend when they knocked off No. 1-ranked Oklahoma — still the Sooners’ only loss this season — and have sustained that success thus far this spring.

Baylor is led on the mound by junior Dariana Orme (pictured above), who already this season has thrown two no-hitters (one a perfect game!) and won Big 12 Pitcher of the Week twice. Her numbers are eye-popping: a 10-2 record with an 0.79 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 79.2 innings pitched. She ranks 11th nationally in ERA, and is among the top-five in the Big 12 in innings pitched (1st), wins (2nd), ERA (2nd), strikeouts (2nd), and opposing batting average (4th).

At the plate, the Bears are led by sophomore infielder Shaylon Govan, who tops the team in batting average (.420 — 11th in the Big 12), home runs (7 — t-2nd) and RBI (35 — 1st), as well as slugging (.783 — 9th), OPS (1.314 — 6th), and walks (21 — 4th).

Big 12 play begins this weekend, as Baylor heads to Stillwater to face No. 2-ranked Oklahoma State. The Bears are riding a five-game winning streak that includes Moore’s 1,000th career victory — 11th-most among active D-1 coaches.

Sic ’em, Baylor softball!