For the sake of comparison, bugs stand a better chance against windshields than the Baylor softball team's competition stood Wednesday afternoon against the Lady Red Raiders.
The winners of four straight state titles smashed St. Cecilia Academy by a combined score of 28-0 - 16-0 in three innings in the first game and 12-0 in the second - to sweep a best- of-three Division II-AA state quarterfinal series, easily rolling back into another state tournament at next week's Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.
Baylor raced out to a commanding lead in the opener with 13 first-inning runs, highlighted by Makayla Packer's three-run home run, and the Lady Red Raiders drew 12 walks against the Nashville team. Macy Ann McKnight threw her second perfect game of the season, striking out seven of the nine batters she faced.
"Our kids understand the importance of winning these two today so we can get to next week," Lady Red Raiders coach Kelli Smith said. "I thought we came out focused on being our best.
"Macy Ann has been throwing really well for us this season, and I thought she came out and took care of business for us to set the tone."
In the second game, freshman Syd Berzon was once again dominant, striking out 10 of the 12 batters she faced to also pitch a perfect game. Berzon also drove in three runs - including two on a home run - while Packer was 2-for-2 with a triple, three runs scored and an RBI. Abby McNamara added an RBI double.
Baylor will enter the four-team bracket next week with a 39-3 record.
"This was the first games we've played in a week, and now we'll have nearly another week off before we play again in the state tournament," Smith added. "We've been in a pretty good rhythm, so you kind of hate to have to stop that momentum, but I really like the way we're playing right now."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.