Bears split conference opening series with Pelicans

Saturday March 23, 2019: Baseball

Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge Bears split the LCCAC series with the Nunez Pelicans today at Pete Goldsby Field to open conference play.  Baton Rouge wins game one 5 to 1 behind an outstanding pitching performance by Joseph Battaglia III. Nunez Pelicans use a late extra inning rally to defeat the Bears 8 to 6, in game two.

The Bears were firing on all cylinders in game one. They would score first with two runs, in the first, to take an early lead.  Luke Lancon and Cameron Crawford both were hit by a pitch. Lancon would score on a William Veillon single to left field. Crawford would score on a Samuel Jarrell single to third. The Bears would add to their lead, in the second, when Luke Lancon would triple scoring Cody Crifasi, who walked. After two innings, Baton Rouge held a 3 to 0 lead.  Nunez Pelicans would get on the board, in the third inning, when T. Roberts would lead off the inning with a home run to left field.  That would be the only run that the Pelicans would score in game one, as Joseph Battaglia III kept them off balance all game. In the bottom of the third, the Bears would get that run back when William Veillon would lead off with a double and score on a Samuel Jarrell ground out to first.

Baton Rouge would add another run, in the fourth, when Jordin Labruzza would lead off with a single and score on a William Veillon sac fly.  After four, the Bears held a 5 to 1 lead, which would be enough to defeat the Pelicans, in game one of today's conference series.

Joseph Battaglia III earned the victory for the Bears.  Joe pitched a complete game seven innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out four. Layton Lee got the loss for the Pelicans.  He pitched two and two-thirds innings allowing four runs on five hits.

Bears Game 1 Highlights:

Luke Lancon went 2 for 2 with 1 RBI and 1 Run

Cameron Crawford went 2 for 3 with 1 Run

William Veillon went 2 for 2 with 1 Run and 2 RBIs

Samuel Jarrell went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs

Kendall Kennedy went 1 for 2 with 1 BB

Jordin Labruzza went 1 for 3 with 1 Run

Joseph Battaglia III pitched seven innings allowing one run on five hits while striking out four.

Game two would need extra innings to determine a winner.  Nunez would rally late with two runs to take the 8 to 6 victory, in nine innings.

The Pelicans would open the game with one run, in the first, and two runs, in the second, to take the early 3 to 0 lead over the Bears. The Bears would respond with two runs, in the second, to close the gap to 3 to 2. Samuel Jarrell would lead off with a walk, followed by a Bo Barrilleaux single to right field and they would both score when Kendall Kennedy would reach on an error by the shortstop. Both teams would score a run in the third inning.  After three innings, Nunez led 4 to 3.  Nunez would extend their lead, in the fourth, with two runs; 6 to 3.  The Bears would fight back and score three runs, in the bottom of the fourth, to tie the game at six.  In the fourth, Jordin Labruzza  would walk and score on a Cameron Crawford single.  Luke Lancon who reached on a single to right field would score on a wild pitch. Cameron Crawford would tie the game on a  William Veillon  single to left field.  Both teams would have their chances to end the game in regulation but they would both strand runners.  In the ninth, Nunez would score two runs to take a 8 to 6 lead over the Bears. The Bears would try to rally in the bottom of the ninth but they would fall short, as the Pelicans take game two 8 to 6.

B. Usey would earn the victory for the Pelicans. He pitched one inning allowing zero runs on zero hits while striking out two. Tanner Young, who pitched in relief for the Bears got the loss.  Tanner pitched six and one third innings allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out five.  Evan Becnel started the game on the mound for the Bears.  Evan pitched two innings allowing three runs on three hits while striking out one.  Christopher Sagrera also pitched in relief for the Bears.

With the victory, the conference series is tied at one game a piece.

Bears Game 2 Highlights:

Luke Lancon went 3 for 3 with 1 Run and 1 BB

Cameron Crawford went 1 for 3 with 2 Runs, 1 BB, and 2 RBIs

William Veillon went 1 for 4 with 1 BB and 1 RBI

Bo Barrilleaux went 3 for 5 with 1 Runs and 1 RBI

Kendall Kennedy had 2 RBIs and 1 BB

Tanner Young pitched 6.1 innings allowing 5 runs, 3 earned on 8 hits, while striking out 5.

The Bears will return to action tomorrow, March 24 as they travel to Chalmette, Louisiana to continue the LCCAC series with the Nunez Community College Pelicans.  The doubleheader will begin at 1 pm at Chalmette High School.

For more information about the Bears Baseball team follow us on twitter at (@brcc_baseball) or Facebook and Instagram at (BRCCAthletics)