Bears outslug Angelina College for the sweep!

Sunday, March 9, 2025: Softball 

Lufkin, TX  

The Baton Rouge Bears traveled to Lufkin to take on the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners in a doubleheader this afternoon at Lady Roadrunner Field. In game one, the Bears triumphed over the Lady Roadrunners with a score of 19-13, while game two extended into extra innings, where the Bears once again emerged victorious, winning 11-10 in eight innings. 

Game One  

The Bears and the Lady Roadrunners engaged in a high-scoring affair, combining for a total of 32 runs. The Bears edged out the Lady Roadrunners, winning 19-13 and hitting four home runs, compared to the two hit by Angelina. 

Angelina got on the scoreboard first, taking an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. However, Baton Rouge quickly fought back, scoring seven runs in the second inning to take a 7-2 lead. Rylee Guthrie led off with an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ashlyn Hebert. Kyla Ashford reached base due to an error by the Lady Roadrunners' shortstop, leading to a double steal by Guthrie and Ashford, which scored the Bears' first run. Kennedy Kelly then managed a bunt single, bringing Ashford home. Eve Fruge', after reaching base with a single to right field, scored on a sacrifice fly by Lindsey Hudson. Maddie Robinson, who had been substituted as the Bears' pitcher after being hit by a line drive, remained in the game as the designated player and hit a two-run homer to center field, increasing the Bears' lead to 5-2. Following that, Mary Wicke and Baylie Romero hit back-to-back singles, both scoring when Rylee Guthrie reached on another error by the Lady Roadrunners. 

The Lady Roadrunners responded vigorously, scoring five runs in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at seven. The highlight was I Allen hitting a grand slam to left field, followed by E Craig adding a double to drive in the fifth run of the inning. 

The Bears reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning with back-to-back solo home runs by Mary Wicke and Baylie Romero. Yet again, the Lady Roadrunners tied the game in the bottom of the inning by scoring three runs, two of which stemmed from a two-run homer by R Hulsey to center field. After four innings, the score was tied at 10. 

The Bears' offensive onslaught continued in the fifth inning, scoring six runs and taking a comfortable 16-10 lead. Kyla Ashford kicked off the inning with a single, and Eve Fruge'  reached base with a bunt single. Kennedy Kelly hit a single to left field, which scored Ashford. Lindsey Hudson drew a walk, loading the bases. Maddie Robinson capitalized on an error, allowing both Fruge and Kelly to score. Mary Wicke then hit her second home run of the game, a three-run shot to center field. 

Angelina added a run in the sixth inning, narrowing the gap to 16-11. However, the Bears struck again in the top of the seventh, adding three insurance runs for a commanding 19-11 lead. Maddie Robinson led off with a single to right, and Mary Wicke reached base for the fifth time with another single. Baylie Romero then grounded out to the pitcher, moving both Robinson and Wicke to second and third. Averie Ashford hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Robinson from third. Kyla Ashford followed with a single up the middle, plating Wicke, while Eve Fruge reached on an error to load the bases for the Bears. Kennedy Kelly drew a walk, bringing home Averie Ashford for the Bears' third run of the inning. 

The Lady Roadrunners refused to back down easily. After the Bears recorded two quick outs, the Lady Roadrunners loaded the bases due to an error and two walks. R Hulsey managed a single, driving in two runs. Olivia Burns came in to pitch for the Bears and got a ground out to end the inning and the game. 

Maddie Robinson started in the circle for the Bears but had to leave the game in the first inning after being hit by a line drive. Briley LeBeouf pitched 6.2 innings, earning the victory by allowing 11 runs (9 earned) on 13 hits, while walking four and striking out eight. Olivia Burns faced one batter and secured the final ground out. M. Johnson started the game for the Lady Roadrunners and was credited with the loss, pitching seven innings and allowing 19 runs (11 earned) on 17 hits, while walking none and striking out five. 

Baton Rouge out-hit Angelina 16 to 15, while the Bears committed two errors compared to five for the Lady Roadrunners. The 19 runs scored in game one set a new program record for runs in a game, breaking the previous record of 18 set in 2013 against BPCC and repeated in 2024 against Central Alabama. Additionally, with the four home runs hit in game one by Maddie Robinson, Mary Wicke (2), and Baylie Romero, the Bears tied the record for most home runs hit in a game, a record previously established in 2023 against John Melvin University.  

Bears Highlights  

Maddie Robinson went 3 for 5 with 4 runs, 4 RBIs, and 1 homer.  

Mary Wicke went 5 for 5 with 4 runs, 5 RBIs, and 2 homers. 

Baylie Romero went 2 for 4 with 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 walk and 1 homer.  

Rylee Guthrie went 1 for 4 with 1 run  

Averie Ashford had 1 run and 1 RBI 

Kyla Ashford went 2 for 5 with 2 runs and 1 RBI  

Eve Fruge' went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and 1 walk  

Kennedy Kelly went 2 for 3 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 2 walks. 

Game Two 

The Baton Rouge Bears narrowly defeated the Angelina Roadrunners 11-10 in eight innings, completing a doubleheader sweep. 

Angelina capitalized on the Bears' inconsistent fielding, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 5-0 lead. The Bears responded in the second inning, with Kyla Ashford leading off with a single. After stealing second base and advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Eve Fruge, Ashford scored when Rylee Guthrie grounded out to the shortstop. 

In the third inning, the Bears charged back, scoring four runs to tie the game at 5. Mary Wicke and Baylie Romero opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Jardyn Wheeler then hit a double to center field, driving in Wicke and Romero. Kyla Ashford followed with another double to center field, replacing Wheeler on second base. Rylee Guthrie's pop fly to right field allowed Ashford to tag up and score, tying the game. 

The Lady Roadrunners regained the lead with a three-run home run by E. Craig, putting them up 8-5.  

The Bears continued to battle back, scoring one run in the sixth inning as Maddie Robinson hit a single up the middle to drive in Lindsey Hudson, who reached base via a fielder's choice. In the seventh inning, Hudson hit a double to left field, scoring Ashford and Guthrie, tying the game again at 8. 

At the end of regulation, the score was still tied at 8. In the eighth inning, a runner was placed on second base, with Averie Ashford starting on second for the Bears. Maddie Robinson drew a walk, and Mary Wicke reached on an error, putting runners on the corners. Baylie Romero then hit a double to center field, scoring both Averie Ashford and Wicke. Kyla Ashford reached base on a dropped third strike, allowing Romero to score, bringing the Bears' lead to 11-8.  

The Roadrunners began their half of the eighth inning with a runner on second as well. The Bears quickly recorded two pop-outs, but the Lady Roadrunners weren't finished. R. Davila hit a double, scoring the ghost runner on second. E. Zunker followed with her own double, closing the gap to 11-10. However, the Bears managed to secure a flyout to end the inning and the game. 

Devyn Latiolais started in the circle for the Bears, pitching 0.1 innings and allowing 5 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits while walking 1. Olivia Burns pitched 3.2 innings in relief. Jennifer Fontenot pitched 4 innings and was credited with the victory, allowing 1 run on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. This marked Jennifer's first collegiate win. J. Sumpter started for the Lady Roadrunners and was credited with the loss, pitching 8 innings, allowing 10 runs (6 earned) on 12 hits, while walking 4 and striking out 7. 

The Bears outhit the Roadrunners 12 to 9, but committed five errors compared to the Roadrunners' two. 

Bears Highlights: 

Averie Ashford had a 1 run, and a 1 walk 

Maddie Robinson went 1 for 4, 1 run, 1 walk 

Mary Wicke went 2 for 4, 2 runs, 1 walk 

Baylie Romero went 2 for 5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs 

Jardyn Wheeler went 2 for 5, 1 run, 2 RBIs 

Kyla Ashford went 3 for 5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs 

Rylee Guthrie had 1 run and 2 RBIs 

Lindsey Hudson went 2 for 4, 1 run, 2 RBIs 

With this sweep, the Bears improved to 15-9,  while the Lady Roadrunners fell to 8-18 for the season. Angelina now leads the all-time series with 4 wins and 2 losses against Baton Rouge, but this was the first time the Bears triumphed over the Lady Roadrunners in program history. 

The Bears will travel to Decatur, Mississippi, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, to take on the East Central Lady Warriors in a doubleheader starting at 2 PM. 

For more information about the Lady Bears Softball team follow us on twitter at (@brcc_softball) or Facebook and Instagram at (BRCCAthletics).