Glenn Moore proud of Baylor for advancing to Super Regionals for first time since 2017
The Baylor Bears are moving on in the 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament. The Bears advanced on Sunday, after they fought off a pesky Louisiana Ragin Cajun squad in the elimination game, 4-3. With the win, the Bears advanced to the Super Regionals, where they’ll face off against the Florida Gators. Following the win over Louisiana, Bears head coach Glenn Moore spoke with the ESPN+ broadcast crew.
“Hats off to Louisiana. What a bunch of fighters to stay up late last night, work their way back, and put it on us the first game. It was down to the wire in that game just now. We’re proud of our team but a huge shoutout to bunch over there. They’re a great bunch. Great bunch of warriors over there,” Moore noted.
It marks the Bears’ first appearance in Super Regionals since 2017. They’ll travel to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Florida Gators next weekend. The winner of the series will officially punch their tickets to the 2024 Women’s College World Series.
Baylor coach Glenn Moore knows his team battled adversity
What does it mean for Glenn Moore and his program to advance to Super Regionals?
“Well, we’ve been working our way back to this point. We’ve been here a few times, but the last few years, we’ve kind of dropped the ball a few times. So, hard to get back over that hump. Hard to get the respect. We’ve played a strength of schedule that through much of the year, was ranked No. 1. And I think probably No. 5, I think, right now. Going into this regional. And it’s hard to tell your kids that it’s eventually gonna pay off, but days like today you see it pay off. So, I’m really proud of that,”
RyLee Crandall got the start on the mound for the Bears in the deciding Game 7 of the Regional, and she stepped up in crunch time, limiting Louisiana to just three runs. In seven innings of work, Crandall allowed nine hits and threw one strikeout.
“Man, they were on fire Game 1 today. And just watching that could intimidate you. And she just went out there and just really competed well. That was a team that did not want to go home. We didn’t either. So, it was a great ball game. But RyLee, she was on her game and you had to be to beat that lineup. You know, Taylor Strange throw to home plate was unbelievable too. Probably saved the game right there,” Moore said following the game.
In the earlier game on Sunday, Louisiana absolutely throttled Baylor, 13-0. It’s clear that Moore appreciated his team’s ability to bounce back from their tough loss earlier on Sunday. It’ll be interesting to see how far he can guide the Bears the rest of the postseason.