Lady Bears Split Season Opener

Bears Split Season Opener

BATON ROUGE – The BRCC Bears Softball squad split their doubleheader against the Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs in the 2023 season opener for both teams. MGCCC took the first game 11-2, but the Bears rallied in game two to overcome a six run deficit and win in walk off fashion by the score of 7-6. 

In game one, Mississippi Gulf Coast led 2-0 after three innings, then scored five runs in the fourth inning and four more in the fifth to take the win. The Bears got two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it wasn't enough, as the Bulldogs spoiled the season opener for BRCC.

Marley Olivier (Livingston, La.) (0-1) took the loss in the circle for Baton Rouge CC. The right hander allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs over five innings, striking out eight.  Laine Sullivan (Prairieville, La.), Stevie Credeur (Scott, La.), Kylee Dulyea (Madisonville, La.), Madison Diaville (Livingston, La.), and Cierra Treigle (Madisonville, La.) each collected one hit to lead the Bears offensively.

In game two, a walk-off double propelled BRCC to their first win of the season.  With the score tied at six in the bottom of the seventh, Jennifer Ipson (Carencro, La.) crushed a double into the right-centerfield gap to score pinch runner Hannah Abshire (Crowley, La.) from second base and seal the win.

MGCCC got a run in the first inning, then added three in the third and two in the top of the fourth to hold a 6-0 lead at the halfway point of the game.  From that point on, however, the Bears mounted a furious comeback. After getting a run in the bottom of the fourth, BRCC exploded for four runs in the fifth inning. Singles by Bella Bishop (Plano, Texas) and Ipson, and a triple by Molly Sistrunk (Kaplan, La.) cut the Bulldog lead to 6-5.

After being retired in order in the sixth, the Bears still faced a one-run deficit heading into the seventh inning. A leadoff single and steal of second base by Bishop allowed her to score when Sistrunk singled up the middle to tie the game. Abshire replaced Sistrunk as a pinch runner and promptly stole second base to put herself into scoring position for Ipson's heroics.

Kristyn Lormand (Scott, La.) got the complete game win in the circle, scattering seven hits while striking out six Bulldog hitters. Sistrunk, Bishop, Credeur and Ipson each had two hits to lead the Bears' 12 hit attack.

The Bears (1-1) will be in action again on Friday, February 3, when they host Holmes Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 1PM. All BRCC home games are played at Hartley/Vey Sports Complex at Oak Villa.  Purchase tickets for all BRCC home athletic events online at www.brccathletics.com .