Bears Baseball rallies to defeat John Melvin

Wednesday, February 26, 2025: Baseball 

Baton Rouge, LA  

The Baton Rouge Bears faced off against the John Melvin University Millers for the second time this season, this time in the friendly confines of Pete Goldsby Field. The Bears showcased two powerful offensive surges to defeat the Millers 14 to 6 in a seven-inning run rule. 

The Millers jumped out to an early lead by scoring two runs in the first inning with back-to-back singles from I. D'Amico and E. Musgraves. J. Clark then hit a single to left field, bringing home both D'Amico and Musgraves, giving the Millers a 2-0 lead. John Melvin tacted on another run in the third inning, extending their lead to 3-0. The Bears answered back in the bottom of the third when Shawn Driggers led off with a single up the middle and scored on an Aidan Machado single, making it 3-1. 

The Millers added three more runs in the fourth inning, bringing the score to 6-1. However, the Bears responded with some offensive magic in the bottom of the fourth. Conner Kleinpeter hit a double to right field, and he scored when Peyton Chiasson hit a two-run homer to right field, marking Chiasson's first collegiate home run. The Bears were now trailing 6-3. 

Grayson Davis came in to pitch for the Bears in the fourth inning and helped stop the Millers' rally, throwing two scoreless innings. 

The Bears' offense exploded in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring five runs to take an 8-6 lead. Layne Swanson led off with a double, followed by Kaiden Broussard being hit by a pitch. Kenneth Berard then hit a double that scored Swanson. Hudson Heltz followed with an infield single, bringing Broussard home. Berard then scored due to a Miller pitcher balk, tying the game at six. Peyton Chiasson reached base on an error, allowing Heltz to score on the same play, giving the Bears their first lead of the game. Finally, Chiasson scored on a single by Shawn Driggers, making the score 8-6. 

The Bears erupted for six runs in the sixth inning, extending their lead to 14-6. Kenneth Berard led off with a walk, followed by a single from Hudson Heltz. Berard scored on a double by Brayden Bertucci. Cooper Martin drew a walk to load the bases, and Peyton Chiasson earned another walk, scoring Heltz from third. Shawn Driggers also drew a walk, bringing Bertucci home. Layne Swanson then hit a single to right field, scoring Martin and Chiasson. Finally, Shawn Driggers scored on a wild pitch by the Millers. 

Briggs Ardoin encountered some trouble in the seventh inning when two Millers got on base. However, he settled down, striking out two and getting an infield fly to end the threat and secure the 14-6 victory. 

Grant Porche started on the mound for the Bears, pitching 3.2 innings while allowing 6 runs on 10 hits, walking 3, and striking out 2. Grayson Davis earned the win, pitching 2.1 innings in relief without allowing any runs on 4 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 1. Briggs Ardoin pitched the final inning in relief. For the Millers, T. Lagrange started and pitched 3 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 1. J. Dupont took the loss, allowing 6 runs on 5 hits while striking out 1. 

Bears Highlights  

Aidan Machado went 1 for 2 with 1 RBI.  

Kenneth Berard went 1 for 3 with 2 runs, 1 RBI, 1 double, and 2 walks.  

Hudson Heltz went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and 1 RBI.  

Brayden Bertucci went 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 double.  

Conner Kleinpeter went 1 for 2 with 1 run.  

Peyton Chiasson went 2 for 3 with 3 runs, 3 RBIs, 1 double, 1 home run, and 1 walk.  

Shawn Driggers went 2 for 3 with 2 runs and 1 RBI.  

Layne Swanson went 2 for 2 with 1 run, 2 RBIs, and 1 walk.  

Cooper Martin had 1 run and 1 walk.  

Kaiden Broussard had 1 run. 

With this victory, the Bears improve to 4-17, while the Millers fall to 2-4. The all-time series is now even, with one win apiece. 

The Bears will travel to Decatur, Mississippi, next Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8, to start a three-game series against the East Central Warriors.

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