Bears Baseball Drop Season Opener to Wharton County JC

Tuesday, January 28, 2025: Baseball

Beaumont, TX

The Baton Rouge Bears traveled to Beaumont, Texas, to face the Wharton County JC Pioneers at Vincent Beck Stadium, located on the campus of Lamar University. This was the Bears' season opener, which was delayed due to an Arctic winter blast that canceled their previous games. Unfortunately, the Bears struggled offensively, allowing the Pioneers to secure a 4-1 victory.

The Pioneers struck first, scoring in the opening inning. L. Sparks led off with a single up the middle, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and then stole third base. The Pioneers executed a double steal with L. Sparks and B. Mitchell to bring in the first run of the game. In the fourth inning, Wharton County JC added to their score with back-to-back singles and took advantage of defensive errors to plate three additional runs. By the end of the fourth inning, the Pioneers led 3-0. They extended their lead to 4-0 with another run in the sixth inning.

The Bears finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the ninth inning when Brayden Bertucci, batting as a pinch-hitter, recorded a single to left field. He advanced to second on a passed ball and moved to third on a pop fly hit by Shawn Driggers. Bertucci then scored on another passed ball.

The Pioneers outhit the Bears by a margin of 5 to 3. Jayse Degruy took the loss for the Bears, pitching 3 innings and allowing 1 run on 2 hits, while striking out 4 and walking none. Nash Tamplet (1.0 inning), Briggs Ardoin (1.0 inning), and Cade Robin (3.0 innings) came in for relief. Noah O'Farrell earned the victory for the Pioneers, pitching 4 innings without allowing a run, giving up just 1 hit, while striking out 7 and walking 1.

With this loss, the Bears fell to 0-1 for the season, while the Pioneers improved to 2-2. Wharton County JC now leads the all-time series against Baton Rouge with 17 wins to 12 losses.

Bears Highlights

Jackson Martin earned the first hit of the 2025 season for the Bears, going 1 for 3. 

Jake Brouillette also went 1 for 3. 

Brayden Bertucci came off the bench to register a hit and score the Bears' only run of the game. 

The Bears will return to action this Thursday, January 30, as they travel to Perkinston, Mississippi, to take on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs. The first pitch is set for [time to be announced]. 

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