Waco, Texas (4/27/06) The No. 18 Baylor softball team used a three-run fifth inning to pull away from North Texas and take a 7-3 victory on Thursday night at Getterman Stadium.

The Mean Green (18-31) lost its fifth straight, while the Bears extend their record to 34-17. North Texas is now 0-5 in the series with Baylor.

North Texas came within one run of Baylor twice, but the Bears scored three runs off three hits and two Mean Green errors in the fifth inning to extend its lead to 7-3.

Sophomore Kristina Fowler (15-17) took the loss for the Mean Green, allowing five earned runs off nine hits in six innings of work.

The Lady Bears took an early lead off a three-run homer by Tessa Lynam in the bottom of the second inning. Fowler gave up a double to start off the inning and then a single to put runners on the corners before Lynam hit her 12^th home run out to straight center field.

Freshman Sarah Jones and sophomore Taylor Johnston both knocked in runs in the fourth inning to bring North Texas within one of Baylor, 3-2. Jones singled with the bases loaded, scoring Fowler who drew a walk to start the inning. Junior Heather Bostic scored the second run after Johnston sliced a ball to right field.

Baylor increased its lead with two extra-base hits in the bottom of the fourth to stay ahead, 4-2. Chelsi Lake started the inning with a double and Ashley Monceaux knocked her home with a triple to right center.

North Texas scored its third run off a passed ball in the fifth inning to stay within one, 4-3. Freshman Kadie Platt started off the fifth with her second hit of the day, a single to center field. Following a single by Susan Waters and a Fowler sacrifice bunt, Platt scored from third on a passed ball.

Baylor took advantage of two walks and two Mean Green errors as well as two doubles to score its three runs in the fifth inning.

North Texas returns to conference action when it travels to Alabama to face Troy in a three-game series beginning on Saturday, April 29.