Bears hold off two late game rallies by the Milers to earn the sweep

Thursday, April 17, 2025: Softball 

Baton Rouge, LA

The Baton Rouge Bears faced off against the John Melvin Millers this afternoon in a doubleheader. The Bears managed to fend off two late-game rallies by the Millers to secure victories of 3-2 and 6-5.

Game One

Both teams showcased excellent pitching, but the Bears executed timely hitting to come from behind and defeat the Millers 3-2 in the first game of the doubleheader. The Bears struck first, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. Kyla Ashford led off with a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lindsey Hudson, and scored on a double by Mary Wicke. For the next two innings, both teams remained scoreless, thanks to outstanding pitching.

The Millers tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning and then took a 2-1 lead. However, the Bears responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to regain the lead, 3-2. Baylie Romero reached base on an error and scored on a double by Ashlyn Hebert to center field. Hebert then scored on an infield single by Eve Fruge'.

Olivia Burns pitched a complete game for the Bears, allowing just one run (none earned) on six hits while striking out three. J. Aube started for the Millers and received the loss, pitching six innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on seven hits, walking two, and striking out seven.

The Bears outhit the Millers 7-6, and the Millers committed two errors compared to one for the Bears.

Bears Highlights:

Kyla Ashford went 1  for 3 with 1 run and 1 walk

Lindsey Hudson went 1 for 2

Maddie Robinson had 1 walk

Mary Wicke went 1 for 3

Olivia Burns went 1 for 2

Ashlyn Hebert went 1 for 3 with 1 run

Eve Fruge' went 1 for 3

Kennedy Kelly went 1 for 3

Game Two

The Bears jumped out to an early lead and managed to hold off a late rally from the Millers, winning 6-5 in the second game. The Bears scored first in the bottom of the first inning when Kyla Ashford reached on an infield single and scored on a single by Mary Wicke.

In the bottom of the second inning, the Bears exploded for four runs, extending their lead to 5-0. Baylie Romero led off with a single and scored when Jardyn Wheeler hit a two-run homer to center field. Rylee Guthrie walked and then scored on a double by Kayla Ashford. Ashford subsequently scored on a single by Maddie Robinson. The Bears added another run in the bottom of the third when Lindsey Hudson walked and scored on a double by Jardyn Wheeler. After three innings, the Bears held a commanding 6-0 lead.

The Millers fought back, scoring one run in the fourth and three in the sixth to narrow the gap to 6-4. The Bears' offense went quiet in the final innings, struggling to connect for additional runs. The Millers added a run in the seventh inning when N. Hebert hit a double and scored on a single by L. Cathey. Briley LeBeouf came in to pitch during the seventh inning, recording a strikeout and allowing the tying run to reach base. However, she secured the final strikeout to end the game and thwart the Millers' rally.

Maddie Robinson started in the circle for the Bears and earned the win, pitching four innings while allowing one run on three hits, walking four, and striking out five. With this victory, Maddie tied Marley Oliver for the most career wins at BRCC with 17. Jennifer Fontenot (2.1 innings) and Briley LeBeouf (.2 innings) pitched in relief, with Briley earning a save. L. Cathey started for the Millers and received the loss, pitching six innings and allowing six runs on ten hits while walking five.

The Bears outhit the Millers 10-9, and both teams were charged with two errors in the game.

Bears Highlights:

Averie Ashford had 1 walk

Kyla Ashford: 2 for 3 with 2 runs

Maddie Robinson went 2 for 4

Mary Wicke went 1 for 4

Lindsey Hudson went 1 for 3 with 1 run and 1 walk

Baylie Romero went 2 for 3 with 1 run

Jardyn Wheeler went 2 for 2 with 1 run, 3 RBIs, and 1 homer

Rylee Guthrie had 1 run

With these two victories, the Bears improved their record to 22-16, while the Millers fell to 0-10 in the all-time series against the Bears.

The Bears will play their last regular-season home game on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, against the Coastal Alabama North Coyotes. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Hartley Vey Sports Complex (Oak Villa). This game will also be Alumni Day, where we will welcome all former Bears for fellowship and recognition.