Bears Baseball falls short at John Melvin

Tuesday, February 11, 2025: Baseball

Crowley, Louisiana

The Baton Rouge Bears faced the John Melvin University Millers for the first time in program history this evening at Miller Stadium. Despite outhitting the Millers, the Bears fell short with a final score of 11-10.

The Bears started strong at the plate, scoring five runs in the first inning to take an early lead. Aidan Machado led off with a single, followed by back-to-back doubles from Kenneth Berard and Jackson Martin, driving in two runs. Hudson Heltz was hit by a pitch, and Conner Kleinpeter singled to left field, loading the bases. Peyton Chiasson was also hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing in Martin, and Layne Swanson walked, driving in Heltz. Shawn Driggers capped off the inning with a sacrifice fly, scoring Kleinpeter for the Bears' fifth run.

The Millers quickly responded in the bottom of the first inning, scoring five runs to tie the game at 5-5.

In the second inning, the Bears managed to add one run. Kenneth Berard drew a walk, advanced to second on a passed ball, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Conner Kleinpeter. The Millers then scored two runs in the bottom of the frame, taking a 7-6 lead.

The Millers extended their lead in the third inning, adding two more runs to make it 9-6. The Bears responded, but still trailed 9-8 going into the fourth inning. Kenneth Berard singled, followed by Jackson Martin being hit by a pitch and Hudson Heltz walking, loading the bases. Conner Kleinpeter drew a walk, bringing in Berard, and Peyton Chiasson also walked to score Martin.

The Millers added two more runs in the fifth inning, increasing their lead to 11-8. The Bears scored once in the eighth to pull within three runs at 11-9. Hudson Heltz walked, Conner Kleinpeter hit a double to left field, and Kaiden Broussard walked to load the bases. Trent Laporte was hit by a pitch, allowing Heltz to score.

In the ninth inning, the Bears attempted a comeback, but could only manage one run, losing to the John Melvin Millers 11-10. Shawn Driggers led off the inning with a single up the middle, and Jackson Martin doubled to left field, scoring Driggers.

Baton Rouge outhit John Melvin 11 to 5. The Bears committed two errors, while the Millers had one.

Tyler Ferguson started on the mound for the Bears and took the loss, pitching two innings and allowing seven runs on four hits while walking three. Grayson Davis (2 innings), Cole Veronie (2 innings), Dylan Cedotal (1 inning), and Joshua Jensen (1 inning) provided relief pitching. T. Daigle started for the Millers and was credited with the victory, pitching two innings and allowing six runs on four hits, while walking one and striking out two.

With the loss, the Bears fall to 1-11 on the season. The Millers improved to 1-2 on the season.

Bears Highlights:

Aidan Macado went 2 for 6 with 1 run

Kenneth Berard went 2 for 5 with 3 runs, 1 RBI and 1 walk

Jackson Martin went 3 for 5 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs

Hudson Heltz had 2 walks and 2 runs.

Conner Kleinpeter went 2 for 4 with 1 run, 1 RBI and 1 walk.

Trent Laporte had 1 RBI

Layne Swanson had 1 RBI and 1 walk.

Shawn Driggers went 2 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI

 
The Bears will return home to Pete Goldsby Field to begin a four-game weekend series against the St. Louis Community College Archers. The series will start this Saturday, February 15, with a doubleheader at 1 PM and conclude on Sunday, February 16, with another doubleheader starting at 12 PM.

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