Sunday February 20, 2022: Baseball
Baton Rouge, La
The Baton Rouge Bears and the St. Louis Archers would conclude their four-game series with a doubleheader today at Pete Goldsby Field. The Bears would sweep the Archers with a pair of 6-1 victories. On the day, the Bears were able to get that timely hit, make some outstanding defensive plays and were able to shut down the Archers with some great pitching performances to secure the pair of victories.
Game Three of Series
The Baton Rouge Bears would use two big innings, some defensive web gems, and a great pitching performance by a pair of Bears to win today's first game 6 to 1.
The St Louis Archers would jump on the board and score a run, in the first inning, for the early lead. Baton Rouge Bears would rally back and respond with four runs, in the bottom of the first, to take the 4-1 lead, after one. Braxton Gallet would reach by being hit by a pitch. He would then steal second and steal third. Jacob Dunn and Blaise Foote would both walk to load the bases. Mason Long would be next and he would walk to score Gallet, and the Bears first run. Lane Hutchinson would the hit a double to centerfield clearing the bases.
A defensive miscue by the Bears put an Archer on third but a great catch and throw by outfielder Braxton Gallet gets the Bears out of the third inning unscathed.
The Bears would get out of the fourth inning when Lane Hutchinson would field a hard line drive at third and start the double play with a throw to second basemen William Dunn then to Blaise Foote at first to end the Archers threat. B. Montgomery would fly out to Zach Martin to end the inning.
In the sixth inning, the Bears would flash the leather once again as M. Bonczkowski would hit a ball to deep centerfield but Trey Webb would make a diving catch on the warning track to rob him of a hit.
The Bears would make some noise, in the sixth inning, with two insurance runs. Blaise Foote would lead off with a walk, followed by a bloop double into centerfield by Mason Long and Lane Hutchinson would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. William Dunn would fly out to right field but Foote would tag adding a run to the Bears lead. The Bears would score another run when Hutchinson would be caught up in a run down and Long would score from third.
The Archers would threaten again, in the seventh inning, but an outstanding defense play by the Bears to get the runner out going to home then double off the runner trying to advance to third would end the threat.
Slade Zeppuhar started on the mound for the Bears and earned the victory. Slade pitched five and two-thirds innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 3. Case Roark pitched in relief for the Bears to earn the save. Case pitched two and one-thirds innings allowing 0 runs on 1 hit while striking out 2. Zach Dantuono took the loss for the Archers. He pitched one inning allowing 4 runs on 1 hit while striking out 1.
Both clubs tallied 4 hits in the ball game. Baton Rouge committed 1 error in the ball game.
Bears Game 3 Highlights
Braxton Gallet went 1 for 2 with 1 HBP and 1 run
Blaise Foote went 1 for 2 with 1 BB and 2 Runs
Mason Long went 1 for 2 with 2 runs, 1BB and 1 RBI
Lane Hutchinson went 1 for 2 with 3 RBIs and 1 double
William Dunn had a sac fly with 1 RBI
Game Four of the Series
The Bears pitching staff would dominate on the mound holding the St. Louis Archers to only 4 hits and 1 run. The pitching staff along with another great defensive performance leads the Bears to another 6 to 1 victory over the St. Louis Archers.
The Bears would strike first with three runs, in the second inning, to take the early lead. Blaise Foote would lead off the inning with a single to right field, he would then steal second and score on a Lane Hutchinson's single to left field. Alex Guilbeau would walk, Tristan Frederick would reach on an error and Nick Carriere would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ethan Menard would be next and he would be hit by a pitch scoring Guilbeau. Braxton Gallet would also be hit by a pitch scoring Frederick.
St. Louis Archers would scratch across a run in the top of the third inning.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, the Bears would add to their lead. Blaise Foote would hit a double off the wall in centerfield and score on a Lane Hutchinson single to right field. After five innings, the Bears led the Archers 4-1.
The Bears would add some insurance runs to their lead, in the sixth inning. Nick Carriere would single to left field and score on an Ethan Menard triple to right field. Braxton Gallet would hit an infield single scoring Menard. After six innings, the Bears led the Archers 6-1.
Ethan Prescott started on the mound for the Bears. Ethan pitches five innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 5. Sean Burkhead pitched a scoreless inning in relief for the Bears with 2 strikeouts. Caden Akana would shut the door on the Archers, in the seventh, with 2 strikeouts and a pop fly out.
With the pair of victories the Baton Rouge 8-9, while the St. Louis Archers fall to 2-6 on the season.
Bears Game 4 Highlights:
Ethan Menard went 1 for 2 with 1 run, 2 RBIs and 1 triple
Braxton Gallet went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs
Blaise Foote went 2 for 3 with 2 runs
Lane Hutchinson went 2 for 3 with 2RBIs
Nick Carriere went 2 for 2 with 1 run
The Bears will be back in action this Thursday February 24 as they take on the Copiah Lincoln Wolves in a doubleheader starting at 3 pm at Pete Goldsby Field.
For more information on the Bears Baseball team follow us on Twitter at (@BRCC_Baseball) and Instagram and Facebook at (BRCCAthletics)