Bears fall to Pelicans in series finale

Saturday, April 5, 2025: Baseball

Baton Rouge, LA

The Baton Bears and the Nunez Pelicans concluded their three-game conference series this afternoon with a single nine-inning game at Pete Goldsby Field. For the third consecutive game in this series, the Nunez Pelicans scored first. The Bears fought until the end and attempted a rally, but ultimately fell short, resulting in a 19-10 sweep for the Pelicans.

For the third straight game, the Pelicans took an early lead, scoring 6 runs in the first inning. They loaded the bases, and B. Gaubert hit a double to left field, driving in three runs. Gaubert then scored on a single by C. Vernon. C. Stelly followed with a two-run homer to left field, extending their lead.

Nunez added another run in the top of the second inning, bringing their lead to 7-0 over the Bears.

The Bears attempted to respond in the bottom of the second, loading the bases with two walks from Kenneth Berard and Bryaden Bertucci. Aidan Machado executed a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, and Trent Laporte also walked, loading the bases with one out. However, the Pelicans managed a strikeout and a ground out to end the threat, stranding the bases loaded.

The Bears finally scored a run in the bottom of the third inning after their pitcher, Cade Robin, settled down and struck out the side in the top of the frame. In the bottom half, Jackson Martin and Dillion Bird both drew walks, forcing the Pelicans' starting pitcher out of the game. Kenneth Berard hit a fly ball to right field, and Martin crossed home plate due to an errant throw from the Pelicans fielder.

In the fourth inning, Nunez responded by taking advantage of a Bears walk and a fielding error to add one run, increasing their lead to 8-1.

The Bears capitalized on more Pelican fielding mistakes and some timely hitting in the bottom of the fourth inning. Aidan Machado led off with an infield single, followed by another infield single from Conner Kleinpeter. Layne Swanson reached on an error, allowing both Machado and Kleinpeter to score. Jacob Covington then walked, and both Swanson and Covington advanced on a ground out by Jackson Martin. Dillion Bird capped the inning with a double to left field, driving in Swanson and Covington, bringing the Bears closer at 8-5.

The Pelicans responded with two runs in the top of the fifth inning, increasing their lead to 10-5. The Bears clawed back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, narrowing the gap to 10-7. Trent Laporte hit a double to right field, followed by a single from Conner Kleinpeter. Both scored on a fly ball single by Layne Swanson.

Nunez manufactured another run in the top of the sixth, extending their lead to 11-7. The Bears countered in the bottom of the inning with two runs. Dillion Bird and Kenneth Berard each reached base with singles, and Trent Laporte reached on an error by the Pelicans' second baseman, allowing both Bird and Berard to come home.

The Pelicans put up four runs in the top of the seventh, pushing their lead to 15-9. Two of those runs came from a two-run homer hit by B. Gaubert over the left field wall.

To add more insurance, the Pelicans scored four additional runs in the top of the ninth. This was made possible by a pair of walks, a Bears fielding error, a triple by C. Cure, and a passed ball. As a result, the Pelicans led 19-9 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Nunez secured two quick outs in the ninth inning before Bears pinch hitter Kaiden Broussard hit a home run over the centerfield wall for his first collegiate homer. However, this did not ignite a Bears rally, and they ultimately lost to the Nunez Pelicans 19-10.

Cade Robin started on the mound for the Bears and recorded the loss, pitching 4 innings while allowing 8 runs (7 earned) on 6 hits, with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. Klayton Wingfield (1.0 innings), Briggs Ardoin (2.0 innings), and Conner Mayeux (2.0 innings) pitched in relief for the Bears. K. Pearl started on the mound for the Pelicans, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing 1 run (0 earned) on no hits, while walking 6 and striking out 2. Alan Mason earned the win for the Pelicans, pitching 5 innings and allowing 5 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits, with 5 strikeouts.

Nunez outhit Baton Rouge 11 to 10 and the Pelicans committed 6 errors, compared to 4 for the Bears.

Bears Highlights

Layne Swanson went 1 for 5 with 1 run and 3 RBIs

Jacob Covington had 2 walks and 1 run

Jackson Martin had 1 walk and 1 run

Dillion Bird went 2 for 4 with 1 run, 2 RBIs, and 1 walk

Kenneth Berard went 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 walk

Aidan Machado went  2 for 4 with 1 run

Trent Laporte went 1 for 3 with 1 run and 1 walk

Jake Brouillette scored a run

Conner Kleinpeter went 2 for 3 with 1 run

Kaiden Broussard went 1 for 1 with 1 RbI and 1 homer

With the loss, the Bears fell to 4-31, 0-6 in conference play while the Pelicans improved to 27-13, 3-6 on the season.  Baton Rouge leads the all-time series with 24 wins and 18 losses over Nunez.

The Bears will travel to Goodman, Mississippi this Wednesday, April 9 to take on the Holmes Community College Bulldogs in a doubleheader.

For more information on the Bears baseball team, follow us on Twitter at @BRCC_Baseball and on Instagram and Facebook at @BRCCAthletics.