Bears Softball Splits Day One of the Mardi Gras Invitational

Friday, January 31, 2025: Softball 

Youngsville, LA  

The Baton Rouge Bears opened their 2025 season this afternoon with a pair of games in the Mardi Gras Invitational at the Youngsville Sports Complex. The Bears lost the first game to Alvin Community College with a score of 7-5 but managed to hold off a late rally by the Bishop State Wildcats to win the nightcap 8-7.  

In the opener, Alvin Community College scored five runs in the fifth inning to secure the lead and the victory over Baton Rouge. The Bears initially got on the board first with a run in the first inning. Maddie Robinson led off with a single to left field and advanced to second when Mary Wicke was hit by a pitch. Robinson stole third base and scored on a throw attempting to tag out Wicke during a double steal play. Alvin took a 2-1 lead with two runs in the second inning, but the Bears retook the lead with a two-run homer by Maddie Robinson to left field. After three innings, the Bears led 3-2. They added to their lead when freshman catcher Rylee Guthrie hit her first collegiate homer in the fourth inning, making it 4-2. The Bears capitalized on some fielding miscues by Alvin to add another run in the fifth inning, extending their lead to 5-2.  

However, Alvin's bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five runs to take a 7-5 lead. Despite having a few chances to score, the Bears could not manage another run, ultimately losing 7-5 to Alvin Community College.  

Maddie Robinson started on the mound for the Bears and earned the loss. She pitched 3.2 innings allowing 5 runs on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 5. Briley LeBeouf, Devyn Latiolais and Ashton Duhon pitched in relief for the Bears. B. Galan earned the victory for the Dolphins.  

With this victory, Alvin improved to 2-2, while Baton Rouge fell to 0-1 on the season. Alvin Community College now leads the all-time series with three wins and no losses over Baton Rouge. The Dolphins outhit the Bears 12 to 6, and Alvin committed one error during the game.  

Bears Highlights:  

Maddie Robinson went 3 for 4 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 1 home run  

Mary Wicke went 1 for 3 with 1 walk  

Rylee Guthrie went 1 for 3 with 1 run, 1 RBI, and 1 home run  

Lindsey Hudson went 1 for 2 with 2 runs and 1 walk 

The Bears concluded Day One of the Mardi Gras Invitational by facing the Bishop State Wildcats at 6 PM. In this game, the Bears held off a seventh-inning rally by the Wildcats to secure an 8-7 victory.  

Bishop State struck first with a run in the second inning, but the Bears quickly responded with three runs in the bottom of that inning. Baylie Romero led off with a solo home run to center field. Kennedy Kelly hit an infield double and scored on a line drive by Lindsey Hudson to right field. Eve Fruge, who had walked, scored when the Bears attempted a double steal; Hudson got caught in a rundown between first and second, allowing Fruge to score. After two innings, the Bears led the Wildcats 3-1.  

Bishop State plated two runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game at three. The Bears broke the tie with a run in the fourth inning when Lindsey Hudson drew a walk and scored on a double by Maddie Robinson. The Bears extended their lead in the sixth inning by scoring four runs, bringing the score to 8-3. Kennedy Kelly and Eve Fruge hit back-to-back singles, with Kelly scoring from first on an error during Fruge's bunt. Lindsey Hudson followed with an additional single, and Fruge scored on a double by Maddie Robinson to left field. Hudson and Robinson scored on another error by the Wildcats on a fly ball by Jardyn Wheeler to left field. After six innings, the Bears held an 8-3 lead.  

The Wildcats managed to plate four runs in the top of the seventh inning, but Maddie Robinson struck out the bases loaded to end the Wildcats' threat and seal the 8-7 victory for the Bears.  

Abbey Borel started on the mound for the Bears, pitching 2.2 innings and allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, with 1 strikeout and 1 walk. Ashton Duhon came in relief and earned the victory, pitching 3.1 innings, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits. Maddie Robinson earned the save for the Bears.  

With this victory, the Bears improved to 1-1 on the season, while the Wildcats fell to 0-2. Baton Rouge leads the all-time series with 7 wins and 1 loss over Bishop State.  

Bears Highlights:  

Maddie Robinson went 2 for 4 with 1 run, 2 RBIs, and 1 save  

Mary Wicke went 1 for 4  

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

Kennedy Kelly went 2 for 3 with 2 runs  

Eve Fruge' went 1 for 2 with 2 runs and 1 RBI  

Lindsey Hudson went 2 for 2 with 2 runs and 1 RBI 

The Bears will conclude the Mardi Gras Invitational tomorrow, Saturday, February 1, with two games. They will face Parkland College at 12:30 PM and the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain at 3 PM. Both games will take place at the Ochsner Lafayette Field at the Youngsville Sports Complex. 

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