The Lady Bears were hoping to kick off the 2025 campaign on a high note Friday with a pair wins in tough contests at the Mardi Gras Invitational. But mistakes hurt Southwest as the Lady Bears fell 5-4 in Game 1 against Arkansas – Rich Mountain and 10-2 in Game 2 against Lamar – Port Arthur.
 
"I'm disappointed in our defensive play," Southwest head coach Shea Johnson said. "Our hitting was not terrible, we had some decent hits and hit some in certain areas. In the circle, I'm pleased, and our catchers did good, we threw some runners out. Just defensively, we did not play good defensively, including the pitchers."
 
The Lady Bears (0-2) got off to a strong start, in the first contest. In the top of the first, with Liberty Gillihan, Corin Talbot and Kate Clements all on base via walks, Southwest struck first on the scoreboard. Allie Ladnier doubled to left clearing the bases and putting the Lady Bears up 3-0.
 
Ladnier, who got the start on the mound, followed suit on the defensive side, retiring three of the four batters she faced in the first, striking out one in the process. 
 
Despite keeping the momentum on their side, the Lady Bears could not produce any more runs in the second inning.
 
Rich Mountain broke through in the fourth, taking advantage of a couple of Southwest errors, to plate four runs and put the Lady Bears down 4-3.
 
Rich Mountain added one more run in the fifth putting the Lady Bears down 5-3.
 
Down to their final three outs, the Lady Bears rallied in the seventh. Gillihan tripled to right and scored two batters later when Abbey Pevey flew out to center. Even though Clements doubled during the ensuing at bat, she was unable to be brought home as the Lady Bears fell by one.
 
Ladnier struck out three and walked four over 4.0 innings of work. At the plate, she went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
 
In Game 2, Southwest fell behind in the third inning as an error kick-started a Lamar rally that resulted in nine runs.
 
Despite trailing 9-0, the Lady Bears showed great resilience and never gave up. Their efforts paid off in the fourth. Gillihan tripled and scored during the ensuing at bat when Ladnier singled to left.
 
Three at bats later, Clements hit a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Ladnier to score making it a 9-2 contest.
 
Unfortunately for Southwest, the rally ended during the ensuing at bat and Lamar added one more run in the fifth, making the score the eventual final.
 
Ladnier led the Lady Bears with a single, a run scored and an RBI.
 
Southwest returns to action on Saturday with a 10 a.m. game against Parkland followed by a 3 p.m. game against Alvin.