Friday February 2, 2024
Youngsville, LA: Softball
It was a dramatic finish to the first game of the Mardi Gras Invitational between the Baton Rouge Bears and the Meridian Eagles. The game would be tied at the end of regulation. The Bears would earn the walk off 7-6 victory when Molly Sistrunk would hit a hard-hit infield single scoring Maddie Robinson.
BRCC would get on the board first with a run, in the first inning. Laine Sullivan would lead off with a single up the middle. Desi Robinson would reach on an error moving Sullivan to third. Sullivan would steal home for the Bears first run of the ballgame.
Merdian would tie the game in the second when M. Maxwell would lead off with a single and score on a T. Mayfield double to left field. The Bears would respond and retake the lead with a run, in the bottom of the second inning. Ashlyn Hebert would single to centerfield, steal second and score on an Aubrie Shaw single to centerfield. After two innings, the Bears led the Eagles 2-1.
Merdian would take the lead, in the third inning, when they would score three runs in the frame: 4-2.
The Bears would inch closer, in the fourth inning, with a run but still trailed 4-3. Maddie Robinson would reach on an error by the Eagle's centerfielder. Robinson would advance to third on a single by Ashlyn Hebert. Maddie Robinson would steal home scoring a run for the Bears.
The Eagles would add an insurance run, in the fifth inning, to increase their lead over the Bears to 5-3.
In the btoom of the seventh inning, the Bears would score two runs to tie the game at 5 forcing extra innings. Laine Sullivan would lead off with a single to left field. The Bears would then get two quick outs. Kylee Dulyea doubled to right field to score Sullivan. Molly Sistrunk would follow with a double of her own scoring Kennedy Kelly who pinch ran for Dulyea. Maddie Robinson would hit an infield single, but the Bears would strand runners at the corners.
After seven innings, the game was tied at 5 runs apiece.
In the top of the ninth the Eagle would add a run to take a 6-5 lead over the Bears. Again, the Bears would not quit as they would score two runs, in the bottom of the ninth, to seal the 7-6 victory. Laine Sullivan was placed on second base to start the inning via the extra innings rule. Desi Robinson would reach on an error moving Sullivan to third. Keesley Ross would line out to centerfield, but Sullivan would score on the play to tie the game at 6. Desi Robinson would steal second then score on a hard-hit infield single by Molly Sistrunk to help the Bears walk-off with the 7-6 victory over the Eagles.
Baton Rouge outhit Meridian 12 to 9. Both teams committed 4 errors in the ballgame.
Ashton Duhon started in the circle for the Bears. She pitched 2 innings allowing 4 runs, 2 earned on 5 hits on 1 walk while striking out 1. Olivia Burns earned the victory for the Bear. She pitched seven innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 3. P. Clark started in the circle for Meridian and took the loss. She pitched 8.2 innings allowing 6 runs, 4 earned on 12 hits while walking 1 and striking out 6.
Bears Highlights
Laine Sullivan went 2 for 4 with 3 runs.
Mary Wicke went 1 for 1.
Kylee Dulyea went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI.
Molly Sistrunk went 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs.
Maddie Robinson went 2 for 4 with 1 run.
Ashlyn Hebert went 2 for 4 with 1 run.
With the victory the Bears improved to 3-2 on the season while Meridian fell to 0-1 on the season. Baton Rouge holds the overall series record with 8 wins and 6 losses over Meridian.
The Bears will finish off day one of the Mardi Gras Invitational with a 4:30 pm game with the Pearl River Lady Wildcats.
For more information about the Lady Bears Softball team follow us on twitter at (@brcc_softball) or Facebook and Instagram at (BRCCAthletics).