​The No. 15 Missouri softball team defeated No. 18 Baylor 7-0 on Sunday at University Field to complete a three-game weekend sweep of the Bears and improve to 7-2 in Big 12 play.

​Chelsea Thomas tossed seven innings of two-hit ball, striking out 10 on her way to her eighth shutout of the season. Thomas is now 14-3 with a 0.58 ERA.

​“I wouldn’t say it was my best day,” Thomas said. “After we got a big lead I was just trying to throw strikes and get the easy outs.”

​The Tigers (28-5, 7-2 Big 12) jumped ahead early, scoring four runs in the first inning and three in the second.

Senior center fielder Ashley Fleming started the scoring in the first, roping an RBI double off the left field wall to score freshman third baseman Corrin Genovese. Freshman first baseman Kelsea Roth followed with a two-run home run to left. The Tigers scored again on an error to make it 4-0 Missouri.

​“When you jump out with four runs in and Chelsea Thomas is pitching, you’re going to beat everybody in the country pretty much,” coach Ehren Earlywine said.

​Fleming and Roth came up big again in the second, driving in runs on a bases-loaded single and walk, respectively. Junior designated hitter Lindsey Muller’s RBI force-out made the score 7-0.

​“Yesterday was definitely more stressful,” Roth said, referring to when the Tigers didn’t score until the sixth inning. “It was easier for us to relax today after we jumped ahead early.”

​Earleywine said his team took an advanced approach at the plate Sunday, one the Tigers haven’t taken in weeks past when they haven’t lived up to their potential offensively.

“They cut the plate in half and said, ‘If you throw it on this side of the plate I’m going to hit it hard, and if you throw it on this side of the plate we’re going to take it,’” he said. “The difference is seven runs.”

​Roth said the outburst was due to Missouri enjoying a more balanced approach at the plate, with many players up and down the lineup chipping in instead of waiting around for the big hit.

​“Today it was really nice because everyone contributed,” she said. “We all hit it around pretty well.”

​Earleywine said that he battled with himself with whether or not to leave Thomas in to finish the game with such a big lead. He said he stuck with her because she needs to get used to pitching deep into games.

​“I figured we’re into April now and raising her pitch count is not a bad thing,” he said. “She needs to be able to throw 100 pitches in a game down the stretch.”

The Tigers will take on the Texas Longhorns at 7 p.m. Friday in Austin, Texas.