Bears Baseball loses opener to Panola

Friday January 26, 2018: Baseball

Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge Bears opened their 2018 campaign this afternoon with a 6-3 loss to Panola. BRCC out hit Panola eight to five but timely errors doomed the Bears. Keith Meier took the loss for the Bears.  Meier pitched five innings allowing 4 runs on 2 hits and striking out five Ponies. Figueroa got the win for Panola pitching 3.2 innings, allowing 0 runs on 3 hits with 5 strikeouts.

In the second inning, Cameron Crawford recorded the first hit of the 2018 Bears season with a single to the pitcher. Crawford advanced to second on a pass ball and moved to third on a ground ball out by Troy Banks but was left stranded at third. 

Panola opened the scoring in the third inning, when Berlof got to first on an error by Banks then advanced to third on a hard hit to right field by Hodges.   Berlof scored on ground out by Stevens.  Hodges then scored on a throwing error by the Bears shortstop.  After the top of the third, Panola led the Bears 2 to 0.  Panola struck again in the fourth inning, with a single, a walk and an error on a throw to start a double play, scored one for Panola.  Panola scored their second run of the inning on a wild pitch.  After the top of the fourth inning, Panola led the Bears 4-0. 

BRCC finally gets on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Jonah Overland started the inning with a single to right field.  Hunter David then drew a walk and Cameron Crawford hit into a fielders choice that advanced Overland to third and he scored on a error by Panola's shortstop. Crawford then scored on a hard hit ball to left field by Kolby Blanchard. At the end of the fourth inning Panola led the Bears 4 to 2. 

Panola added two more runs to their lead with a 2 run homerun by Boulware off of Bears Picther  Brandon Morris, in the seventh inning. After seven inning Panola led the Bears 6 to 2.

The Bears did not give up and tried to strings some runs together in the bottom of the eighth inning. Garrett Barrilleaux opened the inning with a single to left field, then advanced to second on a pass ball. Barrilleaux then scored on a single by Cameron Crawford.

Highlights are the Bears:

Cameron Crawford went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI.

Kolby Blanchard went 2 for 4 with 1 RBI.

Keith Meier went 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts

Brooks Southall pitched two innings, allowing 1 hit, 0 runs and struck out 4. 

Bears will be back in action against nationally ranked San Jacinto Gators later this evening at 6:30 pm.