Bears Softball Sweep Southwest Mississippi

Thursday, February 6, 2025: Softball

Baton Rouge, LA

 The Baton Rouge Bears and the Southwest Mississippi Lady Bears faced off in a doubleheader at Hartley Vey Oak Villa Sports Complex. The Baton Rouge Bears swept the series, winning 5-4 in the first game and 7-2 in the second.

Game One

The first game was a nail-biter, with the Baton Rouge Bears rallying in the bottom of the seventh inning to score five runs and secure a 5-4 walk-off victory over the Southwest Mississippi Lady Bears.

Southwest Mississippi struck first, scoring a run in the second inning. T. Dunbar reached base on an error by the Bears, while E. Acey hit a double to left field, bringing Dunbar home for Southwest's first run. The Baton Rouge Bears threatened in the bottom of the second when Baylie Romero and Rylee Guthrie got on base with back-to-back walks. Eve Fruge also drew a walk, loading the bases, but Lindsey Hudson's line drive to centerfield was caught, ending the inning.

In the sixth inning, Southwest added three more runs, increasing their lead to 4-0. The Bears had a chance to respond in the bottom of the sixth when Mary Wicke reached on another error, Rylee Guthrie walked, and Ashlyn Hebert reached on yet another error, but all three were left stranded.

In a thrilling seventh inning, the Bears woke up their bats, scoring five runs to take the game. Lindsey Hudson led off with a single to right field, followed by Maddie Robinson drawing a walk. Kennedy Kelly was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Mary Wicke then singled to left field, bringing in Hudson and Robinson. Baylie Romero doubled to centerfield, scoring both Kelly and a hustling Wicke from first base. Rylee Guthrie and Ashton Duhon were hit by pitches, reloading the bases. Ashlyn Hebert capped the comeback with a single up the middle, scoring Romero from third and securing the walk-off victory.

Devyn Latiolais started in the circle for Baton Rouge, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing four runs on eight hits. Briley LeBeouf came in to pitch in relief for Baton Rouge and earned the win. A. Ladnier started for Southwest, pitching six innings and giving up three runs on five hits. 

Southwest outhit Baton Rouge 9-5, with the Bears committing two errors and Southwest committing three.

 Bears Highlights

Maddie Robinson went 1 for 3 with 1 run

Kennedy Kelly had 1 run

Mary Wicke went 1 for 4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs

Baylie Romero went 2 for 3 with 1 run, 2 RBIs and   a walk

Ashlyn Hebert went 1 for 4- the game winning hit

Lindsey Hudson went 1 for 3 with 1 run.

Game Two

In the nightcap, the Baton Rouge Bears utilized a strong inning and an excellent pitching performance from Maddie Robinson to defeat the Southwest Mississippi Bears 7-2.

The Bears got on the board first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Kennedy Kelly hit a double to left field and scored on a single by Baylie Romero, who then scored on a single up the middle by Ashlyn Hebert. After one inning, Baton Rouge held a 2-0 lead.The Bears extended their lead with four more runs in the second inning, making it a commanding 6-0. Kyla Ashford and Lindsey Hudson led off with back-to-back singles. Maddie Robinson then hit a triple, clearing the bases. Kennedy Kelly grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Robinson to score. Mary Wicke walked and scored on an Ashlyn Hebert single, marking the Bears' fourth run of the inning.

Southwest Mississippi capitalized on some fielding errors by the Bears, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth. However, they still trailed Baton Rouge 6-2. Baton Rouge added another run in the sixth inning, bringing the score to 7-2. Kennedy Kelly led off with a single, followed by Mary Wicke hitting a single to centerfield. Baylie Romero then singled to left field, scoring Kelly.

Maddie Robinson pitched for Baton Rouge, earning the win. She pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out four and walking one. C. Talbot started for Southwest Mississippi and was credited with the loss, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing six runs on eight hits.

Baton Rouge outhit Southwest Mississippi 14-2, and neither team had any errors.

Bears Highlights

Maddie Robinson went 1 for 4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs.

Kennedy Kelly went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and 1 RBI.

Mary Wicke went 1 for 3 with 1 run and 1 walk.

Baylie Romero went 2 for 4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs

Rylee Guthrie went 1 for 3

Ashlyn Hebert went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs

Kyla Ashford went 3 for 3 with 1 run

Lyndsey Hudson went 1 for 3 with 1 run

With the sweep, Baton Rouge improved to 4-4 while Southwest Mississippi fell to 2-6. Southwest Mississippi still leads the all-time series with 18 wins to Baton Rouge's 16. The Bears will conclude their home stand tomorrow, Friday, February 7, when they take on the Hinds Community College Lady Bulldogs in a doubleheader starting at 2 PM at Hartley Vey Oak Villa Sports Complex.