Baylor softball transfer class rounds out roster

The Baylor Bears were a win away from the Women’s College World Series this past season. Glenn Moore’s group does return a lot of production but had holes to fill after the top bats run out of eligibility and RyLee Crandall transferred to Oklahoma State. Nevertheless, the Baylor softball transfer class adds pitching depth, Big 12 experience and speed from the Pacific Northwest.

Left-handed pitcher Lillie Walker (Duke), catcher/utility Turiya Coleman (Houston), outfielder Brooklyn Carter (Washington) and Carson Frier (UCF) come to Waco in hopes of replicating the team’s success in 2024.

Lillie Walker

Crandall’s transfer out is a big deal. However, the addition of Walker lightens the load especially as Baylor expects Dariana Orme to be healthy in 2025. Walker could essentially assume the role she had at Duke this last season if Orme and Aliyah Binford’s health allow it. Orme threw more than 150 innings in 2023 and Binford did the same in 2024. They could share the majority of the starts and overall workload. That would put Walker in the relief role (27 of her 28 appearances were from the bullpen), where she threw 63 innings for the Blue Devils behind Cassidy Curd and Jala Wright.

Walker threw 13.2 innings her first two seasons at Duke before making 28 appearances each of the last two seasons. The lefty has earned eight saves, maintaining an ERA under two and a batting average against under .215 during that time.

The Oklahoma native’s move closer to home gives Baylor a complementary piece to Orme and Binford. Obviously, Walker comes from the left side opposed to the right-handed arms. Walker unlike most pitchers uses her changeup as her primary pitch and throws her drop ball quite often. Binford leads with those pitches as well, throwing a drop the most but Walker’s has less velocity behind it. Orme works more horizontally with the combination of a screw and curve. There are distinct similarities to Walker’s situation at Duke.

Turiya Coleman

Baylor’s top four hitters in terms of average don’t return including Shaylon Govan and Emily Hott, the only players that hit more than three home runs last season. Coleman led Houston with a .374 batting average, hitting four doubles, three triples and eight home runs. She had very similar numbers in 2023. Coleman could step into Baylor’s lineup from the first day and be the most productive hitter.

Coleman’s left-handed approach has allowed her to attack nearly any pitch. She had at least five extra-base hits against changeups, rise and curveballs. Based on her spray chart from Synergy Sports, she shoots her power to all fields. She does have exceptional power to the opposite way.

She hits left-handed pitchers at a high clip. She has hit over .425 versus lefties, a better mark than her average against right-handed pitching over the past two seasons.

Coleman not only secures a need offensively but will take reps behind the plate following Sydney Collazos’ graduation. She has also spent time at the hot corner and should see time there as well knowing the variety of catching options Baylor has on the roster.

Brooklyn Carter

After McKenzie Wilson’s suspension, center field unexpectedly became a question mark midway through the season for the Bears. Taylor Strain became a reliable option for Baylor, but the graduate transfer has moved on to Ole Miss. Moore can now insert Brooklyn Carter and all her speed to roam Getterman Stadium.

The rising junior has 49 career stolen bags despite not playing every game the past two seasons. She had 28 swipes in her freshman year while mainly being a pinch runner and opponents knowing she was on the hunt for a stolen base. An ankle injury plagued her this last year but she still secured 21 stolen bases.

Carter started the year strong last season before hitting a bit of a slump in March. Then she hurt her ankle and never reached the peak again. However, Carter will enter 2025 with plenty of potential and speed to rely on. Back in 2023, Wilson hit .322 and stole 21 bases. Carter can match that and even exceed those marks to be an offensive difference-maker.

Carson Frier

Frier is another option at catcher. Frier joins the Bears after three seasons at UCF. She made most of her starts back in 2023, starting 36 games and appearing in 50. Frier hasn’t found her footing at the plate but can be an asset on defense. She’s made one error in 76 games and thrown out six runners.

Each individual of the Baylor softball transfer class offers different things and will round out a roster that should compete in a somewhat open Big 12 next season.

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