Bears Baseball drop a pair of games at #12 Jones College

Monday, February 24, 2025: Baseball 

Ellisville, MS 

The Baton Rouge Bears' series against the Jones College Bobcats shifted to Ellisville this afternoon for a pair of games at Community Bank Park. Unfortunately, the Bears struggled offensively, resulting in a pair of losses to the #12 ranked Jones Bobcats, with scores of 3-1 and 8-3.

Game One

The Bobcats secured a 3-1 victory in the first game. They took the lead early, scoring two runs in the first inning thanks to a walk and a hit by pitch. The Bears responded in the second inning when Adian Machado led off with a walk, followed by Jacob Covington, who recorded the Bears' only hit of the game with a single to left field. Conner Kleinpeter then hit into a fielder's choice, advancing both runners 90 feet, allowing Machado to score on a dropped third strike pass ball. After two innings, the Bobcats led 2-1. They extended their lead to 3-1 with another run in the third inning. Although the Bears' pitching held the Bobcats scoreless over the last three frames, their bats couldn't come alive to overcome the deficit, resulting in a 3-1 defeat.

Cade Robin started on the mound for the Bears and took the loss, pitching 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 4. Tanner Cranford pitched one inning in relief for the Bears. C Manuel started for the Bobcats and earned the victory, pitching 4 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit, while walking 4 and striking out 4. The Bobcats outhit the Bears 6 to 1, and the Bears were credited with one error.

Bears Highlights:

 Jacob Covington went 1 for 2 

 Aidan Machado scored 1 run 

Game Two

In the second game, the Bobcats responded to a Bears' rally in the bottom of the sixth inning by scoring 4 runs to secure an 8-3 victory. Jones struck first with four runs in the first inning, starting with C Manuel hitting a double to drive in two runs, followed by B Smith hitting a two-run homer to center field. After one inning, the Bobcats led 4-0. Both teams' pitchers settled down for the next four innings, preventing any runs.

The Bears found some momentum in the sixth inning, scoring three runs to pull within one, at 4-3. Dillion Bird led off with a single, followed by back-to-back walks from Jackson Martin and Aidan Machado, loading the bases. Bird scored the Bears' first run on a passed ball, while Martin scored on a groundout by Kenneth Beard. Machado also scored on a wild pitch, but the Bears stranded the bases loaded. The Bobcats responded in the bottom of the sixth by scoring four more runs, extending their lead to 8-3. The Bears managed to get their lead-off batter on in the seventh, with Bird reaching via walk, but two consecutive strikeouts and a flyout ended the inning and sealed the 8-3 victory for the Bobcats.

Jack Cowan started on the mound for the Bears and took the loss, pitching 2 innings and allowing 4 runs on 2 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 1. Jayse Dugruy pitched 3 innings of shutout baseball, allowing only 1 hit. A. Marbie started for the Bobcats, pitching 3.2 innings without allowing any runs on 1 hit, while walking 3 and striking out 8. The Bobcats outhit the Bears 5 to 2, and the Bears were credited with one error in the game.

Bears Highlights:

Dillion Bird went 1 for 3 with 1 run and 1 walk

Jackson Martin had 3 walks and 1 run

Kenneth Berard had 1 walk

Hudson Heltz had 2 walks

 Jake Brouillette had two walks

Jacob Covington went 1 for 1 with 1 walk

Cooler Martin had 1 walk

The Bears walked 11 times in the ballgame

With this sweep, the Bears now have a record of 3-17, while the Bobcats improve to 10-2 on the season. The Bobcats hold a significant all-time series lead with 42 wins to the Bears' 14. The Bears will return home to Pete Goldsby Field this Wednesday, February 26, to host the John Melvin University Millers at 3 PM.

For more information on the Bears Baseball team follow us on Twitter at (@BRCC_Baseball) and Instagram and Facebook at (BRCCAthletics)