Bears comeback falls short against #5 Pearl River

Monday, February 10, 2025: Baseball

Baton Rouge, LA

The Baton Rouge Bears faced off against the #5 Pearl River Community College Wildcats this afternoon at Pete Goldsby Field to conclude a three-game home-and-home series. The Bears would rally late but could not overcome the early lead built by the Wildcats thus losing 5-3.

The Wildcats were the first to get on the scoreboard when J. Milan drew a walk and scored on a pick-off attempt at third base. They added another run in the second inning, with J. Hood leading off with a single to left field. He later scored on a double by J. Keys to make it 2-0. The Wildcats extended their lead in the third inning with two more runs, making it 4-0. T. Jones and J. Milan each drew back-to-back walks, and C. Thompson singled to right field, scoring Jones. J. Hood then hit into a fielder's choice, allowing Milan to score.

The Bears threatened in the bottom of the third inning when Jacob Covington and Chase Kelly both drew walks. However, Shawn Driggers hit into a fielder's choice, and Kenneth Berard grounded into a double play, ending the inning and the Bears' scoring opportunity.

Tanner Cranford recorded two flyouts and a strikeout to hold the Wildcats scoreless in the fourth inning, which was the first time all game they had not scored.

The Bears finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning when Hudson Heltz drew a walk and scored on a double to the left-center field wall by Conner Kleinpeter, narrowing the Wildcats' lead to 4-1.

The Bears struck again in the fifth inning, trailing 4-2 after Chase Kelly and Kenneth Berard drew walks, followed by Aidan Machado's single up the middle that scored Kelly.

Hudson Heltz led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run to left field, marking his first collegiate homer and pulling the Bears within one run at 4-3.

Tanner Cranford and Chase Kelley pitched excellently in relief, holding the Wildcats scoreless for six innings.

In the top of the ninth inning, Pearl River managed to steal a run, extending their lead to 5-3. With one out, the Bears thought they had tagged the runner attempting to reach second base, but the umpire overturned the out call, allowing the run to count.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Bears put a runner on base due to an error; however, the Wildcats recorded three strikeouts to end the inning and secure a 5-3 victory.

Jayse Degruy started on the mound for the Bears and took the loss. He pitched three innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits, while walking four and striking out two. Tanner Cranford pitched 3.1 innings, and Chase Kelley pitched 2.2 innings in relief. C. Dyess was the winning pitcher for Pearl River, having pitched four innings and allowing one run on one hit, walking three and striking out two.

Bears Highlights:

Kenneth Berard went 1 for 4

Aidan Machado went 1 for 4 with 1RBI

Hudson Heltz went 1 for 2 with 2 runs, one walk, and his first collegiate home run

Conner Kleinpeter went 1 for 4 with 1 RBI

Peyton Chiasson went 1 for 4

Chase Kelley had 1 run; he also pitched 2.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit.

Tanner Cranford: 3.1 innings pitched, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 4.

With this loss, the Bears fell to 1-10, while the Wildcats improved to 6-1. Pearl River leads the all-time series against Baton Rouge with 43 wins to 7 losses.

The Bears will travel to Crowley, Louisiana, tomorrow, February 11, 2025, to take on the John Melvin University Millers at Miller Stadium. First pitch is set for 2 PM.

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