Southwest Mississippi Softball secured victories in both games of their home opener Tuesday, defeating Baton Rouge Community College 12-9 and 7-6, according to team reports.
In the first game, Allie Ladnier started on the mound and earned the win, pitching six innings with one strikeout. Tye Boone closed the game with a save, striking out one batter. The Lady Bears scored six runs in the second inning, highlighted by a solo homer from Ladnier and key hits from Kate Clements, Jana Phillips, and others.
Southwest continued to build their lead with a three-run third inning, including another homer from Clements. They added two more runs in the fifth inning. Clements, Phillips, and Corin Talbot each contributed three hits in the game, with Phillips driving in five RBIs.
The Lady Bears edged out Baton Rouge 7-6 in the second game, rallying from a 2-6 deficit. Corin Talbot pitched six innings, earning the win, and Ballard Kraft secured the save in the seventh. The team scored two runs in the third and five in the sixth. Alexis Dejean hit a decisive three-run homer in the sixth, giving Southwest the lead.
Dejean led the team with five RBIs and two hits, including the game-winning homer. Phillips, Bailey McLin, and Ladnier each contributed two hits, with Ladnier adding two doubles. Head coach Shea Johnson praised the team’s effort and thanked assistants Larry Lippert and Callie Venable, as well as the administration and fans for their support.
The Lady Bears, now 10-3, will travel to Camden, Arkansas, on February 27-28 for a four-game series against Southern Arkansas University Tech.
