Southwest Mississippi Softball traveled to Baton Rouge on Thursday, Feb. 12, to face Baton Rouge Community College. The Lady Bears swept the doubleheader, securing Shea Johnson’s 200th and 201st career wins as head coach.
In the first game, Allie Ladnier pitched four innings, earning the win with two strikeouts and four hits allowed. Tye Boone pitched the final three innings, allowing one run. Southwest won 11-5. Kate Clements and Madalyn Ashford each had two hits, while Bailey McLin, Corin Talbot, Jana Phillips, Tristan Allen, Alexis Dejean, and Ladnier each had one. Dejean drove in three RBIs, with McLin and Allen adding two each. Phillips, Clements, and Allen each hit a double. Talbot and Hannah Adams stole bases.
The second game was more competitive, ending in a 9-8 victory for the Lady Bears. Ballard Kraft started on the mound, pitching three innings with one strikeout and two runs allowed. Corin Talbot pitched one inning, striking out two and allowing three runs. Mary Claire Salley pitched two innings and earned the win, with Boone securing the save.
Southwest led 6-4 going into the sixth but extended their lead with two runs in the seventh, highlighted by a solo homer from Talbot. Baton Rouge fought back, scoring four in the bottom of the seventh, but Boone closed the game for the save. Talbot finished with four hits, including her homer, while Allen added two doubles. Several other players, including McLin, Ladnier, Roebuck, and Ashford, had two hits each. Roebuck, Phillips, and Ashford also stole bases.
Head Coach Shea Johnson praised the team’s performance. “We hit the ball incredible, played great defense, and ran the bases well. We need to improve our pitching, but overall, our hitting has been consistent,” Johnson said. When asked about reaching 200 wins, Johnson expressed pride and optimism. “It’s exciting. We’ve worked hard to improve each year, and this season is shaping up to be a great one,” he said.
The Lady Bears, now 6-2, will continue on the road Thursday, Feb. 19, against Bishop State.
