Bears defeat Meridian Lady Eagles to open Day 2 of Hinds JUCO Classic

Saturday February 24, 2024

Vicksburg, MS: Softball

Bears Softball would score early and often to earn the 9 to 2 victory over the Meridian Lady Eagles to start day two of the Hinds JUCO Classic. 

Meridian would get on the board first with a run in the first inning to take the early lead. Baton Rouge would take the lead, in the second inning, when they would score two runs. Eve Fruge' would lead off and reach on an error. Kennedy Kelly would reach on a bunt single. Fruge and Kelly would successfully pull off a double steal in which Fruge' would steal home while Kelly would steal second. Kelly would score on a Meridian outfielder's error for the second Bear run in the frame.

Baton would add three runs to their lead in the third inning. Molly Sistrunk would lead off the inning with a double to left field. Kylee Dulyea would follow that up with a walk. Mary Wicke would be next, and she would single to left field scoring Sistrunk. Eve Fruge' would single to center field scoring Dulyea and Wicke. After three innings, the Bears held a 5-1 lead over the Lady Eagles.

Meridian would scratch across a run in the fourth inning, but they still trailed the Bears 5-2. Baton Rouge would erupt for four runs, in the top of the seventh inning, to take a commanding 9 to 2 lead.  Molly Sistrunk would lead off and reach on an error.  Kylea Dulyea would reach on a fielder's choice. Mary Wicke would hit a pop fly into foul territory which was caught but Sistrunk would tag and score on the play. Lily Wainwright would be next; she would single to left field driving in Dulyea. Ashlyn Hebert and Kennedy Kelly would hit back-to-back singles. Kelly's single would score two runs.

Macy Castleman would shut down the Lady Eagles, in the bottom of the seventh inning, to help the Bears earn the 9 to 2 victory.

Olivia Burns started in the circle for the Bears and earned the victory. She pitched 3.1 innings allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits while walking 4 and striking out 3. Macy Castleman pitched 3.2 innings in relief for the Bears.  P. Clark took the loss for the Lady Eagles. She pitched 4 innings allowing 4 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits while striking out 1.

Baton Rouge outhit Meridian 8 to 5. Baton Rouge committed one error compared to four by Meridian.

Bears Highlights:

Molly Sistrunk went 1 for 4 with 2 runs.

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

Kylee Dulyea had 2 BB and 2 Runs.

Lily Wainwright went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI.

Eve Fruge' went 2 for 4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs.

Ashlyn Hebert went 1 for 1 with 1 run.

Kennedy Kelly went 2 for 3 with 1 run and 2 RBIs.

With the victory the Bears improved to 9-10 while Meridian fell to 7-11 on the season.

The Bears will conclude the Hinds JUCO Classic with a 4 pm game against the defending NJCAA Division 2 National Champions the Copiah Lincoln Lady Wolves.

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