BRCC Sweep Round Two of the Battle of The Bears- Diamond Edition

Thursday, February 13, 2025: Softball 

Summit, MS 

The Battle of the Bears Diamond Edition took place in Summit, Mississippi this afternoon, where the Baton Rouge Bears faced off against Southwest Mississippi Lady Bears, in a doubleheader. Baton Rouge showcased an offensive explosion, sweeping Southwest Mississippi with scores of 14-9 and 14-8. 

Game One 

Baton Rouge held off a late Southwest Mississippi comeback to secure a 14-9 victory over the Lady Bears. The Baton Rouge Bears came out strong, scoring five runs in the first inning to establish an early lead. Maddie Robinson, Lindsey Hudson, and Kyla Ashford each drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Mary Wicke then reached on an error by the SMCC left fielder, allowing Robinson to score the Bears' first run. Jardyn Wheeler added to the score with a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing in Hudson. Ashlyn Hebert reached on another fielding error by the SMCC Bears, allowing Ashford to score. Finally, Mary Wicke and Ashlyn Hebert crossed home plate on a single by Rylee Guthrie, making it 5-0. 

The Bears increased their lead in the second inning, making the score 7-0. Lindsey Hudson hit a double to left field, Mary Wicke drew a walk, and Baylie Romero hit a single to load the bases. Jardyn Wheeler was hit by a pitch, driving in Hudson. Ashlyn Hebert walked, bringing Wicke home for the second run of the frame. 

Southwest Mississippi responded with four runs in the second inning, closing the gap to 7-4. They managed to tie the game at seven in the third inning, thanks to a double by A. Leggett and a home run by C. Talbot. 

Baton Rouge regained the lead in the fourth inning with a run, bringing the score to 8-7. Mary Wicke led off with a walk, and Jardyn Wheeler reached base after being hit by a pitch. Ashlyn Hebert then doubled to left field, allowing Wicke to score. 

The Bears extended their lead with three more runs in the sixth inning, increasing the score to 11-7. Ashlyn Hebert singled, and Rylee Guthrie reached base on another SMCC error. Kennedy Kelly got on with a bunt single, scoring Hebert. Maddie Robinson followed up with a sacrifice fly that brought Guthrie home, and Kelly scored on a throwing error by the SMCC second baseman. 

In the top of the seventh inning, BRCC added three more runs for a commanding 14-7 lead. Kyla Ashford began the inning with a double and scored on a single by Baylie Romero. Jardyn Wheeler then hit her first collegiate home run to left field, bringing in two more runs. 

Although the SMCC Bears attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, they could only score two runs, resulting in a 14-9 loss in the first game of today's doubleheader. 

Ashton Duhon started in the circle for Baton Rouge and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing four runs on four hits while walking two. Briley LeBeouf earned the victory for Baton Rouge, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on three hits. Jennifer Fontenot (1.0 inning) and Abbey Borel (0.1 inning) provided relief for the Bears. A. Ladnier started for Southwest and took the loss, pitching five innings, allowing ten runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out three. 

Southwest outhit Baton Rouge 11 to 10, but committed five errors in the game. 

Bears Highlights: 

Maddie Robinson went 0 for 3 with 1 run, 2 RBIs and 1 walk. 

Lindsey Hudson went 1 for 4 with 2 runs and 1 walk 

Kyla Ashford went 1 for 4 with 2 runs and 1 walk 

Mary Wicke went 0-3 with 3 runs and 2 walks 

Baylie Romero went 2 for 5 with 1 run and 1 RBIs. 

Jardyn Wheeler went 1 for 3 with 1 run, 4 RBIs and 1 homer  

Ashlyn Hebert went 2 for 4 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 1 walk. 

Rylee Guthrie went 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI. 

Game Two 

In game two of today's doubleheader, the BRCC Bears secured a solid 14-8 victory over the SMCC Lady Bears. 

BRCC opened the scoring in the first inning with a run. Maddie Robinson led off with a single up the middle and scored on a Baylie Romero single to left field. The Bears continued their strong performance in the second inning, scoring four more runs to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Ashlyn Hebert started the inning with a single up the middle. Rylee Guthrie bunted to advance Hebert to second but reached base due to an error by the SMCC pitcher. Kennedy Kelly also laid down a bunt, reaching on another error by the pitcher, allowing Hebert to score. Although Averie Ashford grounded out to third, Guthrie and Kelly scored on the play. Maddie Robinson capped the inning with a solo homer to left field. 

Southwest finally got on the board in the bottom of the third with four runs, narrowing BRCC's lead to 5-4. They then took the lead with two runs in the fourth inning, making it 6-5. However, Baton Rouge reclaimed the lead in the fifth with two runs, bringing the score to 7-6. Mary Wicke led off with a single, followed by a single from Jardyn Wheeler. Ashlyn Hebert hit a double, scoring Wicke and Carrol (who pinch ran for Wheeler).  

Southwest countered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead at 8-7.  

In the sixth inning, Baton Rouge scored three runs to regain the advantage at 10-8. Eve Fruge led off with a single and scored on a single by Kyla Ashford, tying the game at 8. Maddie Robinson, who reached base due to an error, scored on a passed ball, and Ashford crossed the plate on a Baylie Romero single. 

The Bears added another four runs in the seventh inning, taking a commanding 14-8 lead. Rylee Guthrie started with a double to left field, followed by Olivia Burns reaching on an error. Abbey Borel, who pinch ran for Guthrie, scored on that play. Eve Fruge' then singled up the middle, driving in Burns, and Kyla Ashford capped off the inning with a two-run homer to center field. 

Southwest went down in order in the final inning, with Maddie Robinson striking out all three batters to seal the victory for the Bears. 

Olivia Burns started for BRCC, pitching 3 innings and allowing 5 runs (1 earned) on 8 hits while striking out 2. Devyn Latiolais pitched 1 inning, and Maddie Robinson earned the win with 3 innings pitched, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits while striking out 7. S. Sharp started for Southwest, pitching 7 innings and allowing 13 runs (6 earned) on 15 hits while striking out 3. 

Baton Rouge out-hit Southwest 16 to 12. Southwest committed 6 errors compared to 2 by Baton Rouge. 

Bears Highlights: 

Maddie Robinson went 2 for 5 with 3 runs, 1 RBI and 1 homer. 

Kyla Ashford went 2 for 5 with 2 runs, 3 RBIs and a homer. 

Mary Wicke went 2 for 5 with 1 run 

Baylie Romero went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs 

Jardyn Wheeler went 2 for 5 

Ashlyn Hebert went 2 for 5 with 1 run and 2 RBIs 

Rylee Guthrie went 1 for 4 with 1 run 

Kennedy Kelly had 1 run 

Olivia Burns had 1 Run 

Averie Ashford had 2 RBIs 

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

With this sweep, the BRCC Bears improved their record to 7-5, while Southwest Mississippi fell to 2-8. The all-time series between the two teams is now tied at 18 wins each. 

The Bears will continue their road swing tomorrow, Friday, February 14, when they travel to Raymond, Mississippi, to face the Hinds Community College Lady Eagles. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 PM at Rene T. Warren Field. 

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