Photo by: The Ivy League
Answering The Call: A Look at Brown Softball's Historic 2025 Season
6/12/2025 1:00:00 PM | Softball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – After one of the best starts to a season in program history, Brown softball entered its first weekend of Ivy League play looking to make a splash under first year head coach Mary Holt-Kelsch. The Bears took to the field against Dartmouth, a 2024 Ivy League Tournament team, and ended the weekend with three losses to the Big Green, putting the Bears in a hole early in the conference schedule.
"The Ivy Series opener against Dartmouth was definitely a gut punch and really gave us a dose of reality that I think we all needed," said Holt-Kelsch. "Looking back on the season, we really needed that learning moment. A challenge was presented with a choice to make after that weekend, bail on the vision or dig our heels in a punch back."
Punch back the Bears did. Brown would use a tough week of practice to kick start a run that would culminate in the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997. On route to the NCAA Tournament, the Bears would have one of the best seasons in program history.
"After the rough start against Dartmouth, we had spring break to really focus on softball and had 'softball camp' where we had the opportunity to focus on what it meant to compete and compete as a team," said senior catcher Laurel Moody.
Brown finished the season tied for the most wins in program history with 33, which was set in the 1991 season. The Bears also set the program record with 13 Ivy League wins. With the Bears entering the Ivy League Tournament as the four-seed, Brown would win three-straight games in the tournament, beating the host and No. 1 seed Princeton twice, to win its first Ivy League Tournament title. All of these accolades were set in motion from the moment Holt-Kelsch and her staff walked on campus in the fall.
"All the coaches just really feel that the 2025 team jumped on board with the vision we had and they all made the decision in September to make the program our priority," said Holt-Kelsch. "Hard work, eagerness, and investment were the reason we were blessed with the wins, the championship, and the NCAA appearance."
It was a full-team effort on display throughout the season as Brown rewrote the record book both at the plate and in the circle. Brown's offense set the program record with 243 runs scored, 348 hits and 206 runs batted in, while tying the program record with 32 home runs. The pitching staff set program records with 332.1 innings pitched and 249 strikeouts. The nine shutouts Brown pitchers hurled were the most in a season since 1996.
"One major factor in our success this season was this group of girls and everyone playing for each other and with each other," said Moody "Another huge factor in our success was playing for a coaching staff that believed in us and our abilities."
The duo that led the charge for Brown was the battery of Moody and senior pitcher Alexis Guevara. Moody was unanimously named Ivy League Player of the Year and First Team All-Ivy. It was Brown's first Player of the Year winner since 2012. Guevara was tabbed First Team All-Ivy after earning five Ivy League Pitcher of the Week honors and was named Ivy League Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
"Laurel accomplished amazing things this year and you love seeing seniors finish their careers at the top of their game," said Holt-Kelsch. "She was truly a joy to watch and I was really proud of the example she set for this program. Laurel just really bought into the adjustments she needed to make in the box and personally I think she just was really enjoying the game this year."
Moody won the Ivy League triple crown, leading the league with a .425 batting average, 15 home runs and 42 runs batted in. The senior also led the league with 62 hits, 117 total bases, 31 walks and an .801 slugging percentage. The home runs, hits, RBI and walks are also Brown program records.
The season started off with a bang for Moody as the senior hit two home runs and drove in four in a win over Winthrop on the first night of the season. The momentum continued over the next two weeks when Moody delivered a walk-off home run against Boston University and drove in four runs with another home run in a doubleheader against Lipscomb.
"Prior to the season we were working on tweaking small aspects of my swing that could potentially increase my power output this season," said Moody. "Once we got started playing, I was really just focused on having fun and doing whatever I could to contribute and support the team."
Moody's best weekend of the season came in a three-game series at Penn when she finished with eight hits, two home runs and five RBI. The power continued as Moody hit three home runs in two games against Cornell and tied the Brown single season home run record with two home runs at Columbia.
Her next blast came in front of the home crowd with a shot against Bryant to etch her name into the history book as Brown's single season home run leader.
I didn't know I was coming close to any records until the home run record when I was just a couple away," said Moody. "Honestly, after I broke the home run record, I really had my sights on the single season walk record because I thought 'oh that's cool' and showed that I could do both."
While Moody was delivering at the plate, Guevara was making waves in the circle. One of Brown's best pitchers over the last three seasons, Guevara took her game to another level to close out her time on College Hill.
"Lex has always been dominant in the circle for this program, but this year I think she really kicked it up a notch," said Holt-Kelsch. "She bought into the bullpen work, took care of herself in the training room, gave extra in the weight room and because of that she was able to throw her best stuff at the most important part of the season."
Starting her season off with back-to-back 10 strikeout performances against Youngstown State and St. John's was a sign of things to come for the senior. Guevara kept firing, climbing the ladder of both the single season and career strikeout records at Brown. The senior finally broke through both charts at Central Connecticut as Guevara threw a career-high 14 strikeouts and became the all-time career strikeout leader and single season strikeout leader in program history.
"The goal for this season was to never let the other team settle on my pitches," said Guevara. "I try to look like a different type of pitcher each time through the lineup by changing my pitch pattern, and making balls look like strikes and strikes look like balls."
As the season was winding down, Brown lost its No. 2 pitcher Macy Browoski to injury, but Guevara just kept throwing, eventually helping Brown earn a spot in the Ivy League Tournament with a win over Princeton. The Bears then headed to Princeton for the Ivy League Tournament and Guevara delivered, throwing all 21 innings and allowing just two runs while striking out 12 batters. With her final win in the championship game against Princeton, Guevara became just the second Bear and first since 1990 to win 20 games in a season.
"I try to focus on one pitch at a time, which makes the game more manageable," said Guevara. "I'm not worried about the next game, next inning, or even the next batter until I'm in it. Once we got the last out in the championship, it all came together and I could see the full result of every pitch I threw. I couldn't have done it without my team behind me making plays to keep us in it and backing me up the whole way."
Earning a trip to play in the NCAA Regionals, Brown found itself traveling to Lubbock, Texas to take on No. 12 Texas Tech in the first game. The Bears fell to the Red Raiders and lost to Washington to close out the season, but the players and staff will never forget the incredible ride and experience the 2025 season became.
"This season was all about letting go of the past and having fun," said Guevara There was complete buy-in from every player and a desire to meet every challenge head on. We wanted to set the bar for this new dynasty of Brown Softball. Our passion for the game and each other allowed us to go the distance this year."
"Having the opportunity to watch these players and staff rewrite the history books at Brown brings me incredible joy and I am beyond grateful to have been a part of this amazing journey," said Holt-Kelsch. "This has been the most enjoyable season I have had as a coach, and it is because of the people in the program. Good people, make great programs."
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
"The Ivy Series opener against Dartmouth was definitely a gut punch and really gave us a dose of reality that I think we all needed," said Holt-Kelsch. "Looking back on the season, we really needed that learning moment. A challenge was presented with a choice to make after that weekend, bail on the vision or dig our heels in a punch back."
Punch back the Bears did. Brown would use a tough week of practice to kick start a run that would culminate in the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1997. On route to the NCAA Tournament, the Bears would have one of the best seasons in program history.
"After the rough start against Dartmouth, we had spring break to really focus on softball and had 'softball camp' where we had the opportunity to focus on what it meant to compete and compete as a team," said senior catcher Laurel Moody.
Brown finished the season tied for the most wins in program history with 33, which was set in the 1991 season. The Bears also set the program record with 13 Ivy League wins. With the Bears entering the Ivy League Tournament as the four-seed, Brown would win three-straight games in the tournament, beating the host and No. 1 seed Princeton twice, to win its first Ivy League Tournament title. All of these accolades were set in motion from the moment Holt-Kelsch and her staff walked on campus in the fall.
"All the coaches just really feel that the 2025 team jumped on board with the vision we had and they all made the decision in September to make the program our priority," said Holt-Kelsch. "Hard work, eagerness, and investment were the reason we were blessed with the wins, the championship, and the NCAA appearance."
It was a full-team effort on display throughout the season as Brown rewrote the record book both at the plate and in the circle. Brown's offense set the program record with 243 runs scored, 348 hits and 206 runs batted in, while tying the program record with 32 home runs. The pitching staff set program records with 332.1 innings pitched and 249 strikeouts. The nine shutouts Brown pitchers hurled were the most in a season since 1996.
"One major factor in our success this season was this group of girls and everyone playing for each other and with each other," said Moody "Another huge factor in our success was playing for a coaching staff that believed in us and our abilities."
The duo that led the charge for Brown was the battery of Moody and senior pitcher Alexis Guevara. Moody was unanimously named Ivy League Player of the Year and First Team All-Ivy. It was Brown's first Player of the Year winner since 2012. Guevara was tabbed First Team All-Ivy after earning five Ivy League Pitcher of the Week honors and was named Ivy League Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
"Laurel accomplished amazing things this year and you love seeing seniors finish their careers at the top of their game," said Holt-Kelsch. "She was truly a joy to watch and I was really proud of the example she set for this program. Laurel just really bought into the adjustments she needed to make in the box and personally I think she just was really enjoying the game this year."
Moody won the Ivy League triple crown, leading the league with a .425 batting average, 15 home runs and 42 runs batted in. The senior also led the league with 62 hits, 117 total bases, 31 walks and an .801 slugging percentage. The home runs, hits, RBI and walks are also Brown program records.
The season started off with a bang for Moody as the senior hit two home runs and drove in four in a win over Winthrop on the first night of the season. The momentum continued over the next two weeks when Moody delivered a walk-off home run against Boston University and drove in four runs with another home run in a doubleheader against Lipscomb.
"Prior to the season we were working on tweaking small aspects of my swing that could potentially increase my power output this season," said Moody. "Once we got started playing, I was really just focused on having fun and doing whatever I could to contribute and support the team."
Moody's best weekend of the season came in a three-game series at Penn when she finished with eight hits, two home runs and five RBI. The power continued as Moody hit three home runs in two games against Cornell and tied the Brown single season home run record with two home runs at Columbia.
Her next blast came in front of the home crowd with a shot against Bryant to etch her name into the history book as Brown's single season home run leader.
I didn't know I was coming close to any records until the home run record when I was just a couple away," said Moody. "Honestly, after I broke the home run record, I really had my sights on the single season walk record because I thought 'oh that's cool' and showed that I could do both."
While Moody was delivering at the plate, Guevara was making waves in the circle. One of Brown's best pitchers over the last three seasons, Guevara took her game to another level to close out her time on College Hill.
"Lex has always been dominant in the circle for this program, but this year I think she really kicked it up a notch," said Holt-Kelsch. "She bought into the bullpen work, took care of herself in the training room, gave extra in the weight room and because of that she was able to throw her best stuff at the most important part of the season."
Starting her season off with back-to-back 10 strikeout performances against Youngstown State and St. John's was a sign of things to come for the senior. Guevara kept firing, climbing the ladder of both the single season and career strikeout records at Brown. The senior finally broke through both charts at Central Connecticut as Guevara threw a career-high 14 strikeouts and became the all-time career strikeout leader and single season strikeout leader in program history.
"The goal for this season was to never let the other team settle on my pitches," said Guevara. "I try to look like a different type of pitcher each time through the lineup by changing my pitch pattern, and making balls look like strikes and strikes look like balls."
As the season was winding down, Brown lost its No. 2 pitcher Macy Browoski to injury, but Guevara just kept throwing, eventually helping Brown earn a spot in the Ivy League Tournament with a win over Princeton. The Bears then headed to Princeton for the Ivy League Tournament and Guevara delivered, throwing all 21 innings and allowing just two runs while striking out 12 batters. With her final win in the championship game against Princeton, Guevara became just the second Bear and first since 1990 to win 20 games in a season.
"I try to focus on one pitch at a time, which makes the game more manageable," said Guevara. "I'm not worried about the next game, next inning, or even the next batter until I'm in it. Once we got the last out in the championship, it all came together and I could see the full result of every pitch I threw. I couldn't have done it without my team behind me making plays to keep us in it and backing me up the whole way."
Earning a trip to play in the NCAA Regionals, Brown found itself traveling to Lubbock, Texas to take on No. 12 Texas Tech in the first game. The Bears fell to the Red Raiders and lost to Washington to close out the season, but the players and staff will never forget the incredible ride and experience the 2025 season became.
"This season was all about letting go of the past and having fun," said Guevara There was complete buy-in from every player and a desire to meet every challenge head on. We wanted to set the bar for this new dynasty of Brown Softball. Our passion for the game and each other allowed us to go the distance this year."
"Having the opportunity to watch these players and staff rewrite the history books at Brown brings me incredible joy and I am beyond grateful to have been a part of this amazing journey," said Holt-Kelsch. "This has been the most enjoyable season I have had as a coach, and it is because of the people in the program. Good people, make great programs."
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
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