Bears lose tournament opener to the NOC Tonkawa Mavs

Wednesday, May 7, 2025: Softball

Piedmont, OK 

The Bears began the 2025 South Central District Tournament this morning against the Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa Mavericks at F&M Bank Stadium on the campus of Piedmont High School. Unfortunately, a late-inning rally by the Bears fell short, and they lost their tournament opener 3-1.

The Mavericks struck first, scoring two runs in the opening inning. F. Williams led off with a double to left field, and J. Acherman drew a walk. Both players advanced 60 feet on a double steal and then scored on a passed ball by the Bears' catcher.

In the third inning, the Mavericks extended their lead to 3-0. K. Stover reached base on a single, advanced to third due to a Bears' fielding error, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by M. Glasgow.

Neither team managed to score for the next three innings. The Bears threatened in the seventh inning when Lindsey Hudson drew a walk, followed by pinch hitter Jardyn Wheeler, who hit a single, putting Bears on the corners. Olivia Burns entered as a pinch hitter and also drew a walk, loading the bases with one out. Kennedy Kelly then hit a bloop single to center field, bringing Hudson home. However, Eve Fruge, who had reentered the game for Wheeler, was thrown out at home plate. Rylee Guthrie, who came in for Burns, was caught in a rundown between second and third base and tagged out for the third out, ending the Bears' rally and the game with a final score of 3-1.

Abbey Borel started as the pitcher for the Bears and took the loss, allowing 2 runs on 1 hit while walking 2 in 0.0 innings. Maddie Robinson came in as a relief pitcher for the Bears. J. Johnson started in the circle for the Mavericks and was credited with the victory, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing 1 run on 6 hits, with 1 walk and 1 strikeout.

Bears Highlights:

Kyla Ashford went 3 for 3 

Ashlyn Hebert went 1 for 3 

Lindsey Hudson had run scored 

Jardyn Wheeler went for 1 

Rylee Guthrie went 1for 2 

Olivia Burns had 1 walk 

Kennedy Kelly went 1 for 3 

With this loss, the Bears' record falls to 22-17, while the Mavericks improve to 24-29. Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa now leads the all-time series with 1 win over Baton Rouge.

The Bears will play the loser of the Seminole State versus NOC-Enid matchup on Thursday, May 8th, at 11:00 AM.

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