Baton Rouge Bears comeback falls short

Tuesday February 6, 2024

Hammond, America: Baseball

The Baton Rouge Bears traveled this evening to Hammond, America to take on the Southwest Mississippi Bears at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni field on the campus of Southeastern University. This was the 40^th meeting on the diamond between the two Bears' ball clubs. Baton Rouge would jump out to the early lead, then rally late but the comeback would not be enough as Southwest would win 11 to 9.

In the first inning, Braden McLin would lead off with a walk and advance to second on a single by Jackson Martin to left field. Ryan Richard would draw a walk to load the bases. Conner Kleinpeter would single to right field driving in McLin and Martin. Richard would score on a throwing error as Kleinpeter would advance to second on the same error. Baton Rouge scored three runs on two hits to take the early 3-0 advantage. Southwest would get a run, in the bottom of the first inning, but they still trailed Baton Rouge 3-1.

Southwest would score three runs, in the bottom of the second, to take a 4-3 lead over Baton Rouge. Southwest loaded the bases, in the fourth inning but an outstanding double play by centerfield Braden McLin to catch the ball then throw the runner out at third and Bear's catcher Seth Fontenot picking off of the runner at first minimized the damage. Southwest would scratch across a run, in the fourth inning, to take a 5-3 lead.

Southwest would strike again with a run, in the fifth inning, and a one, in the sixth inning, to increase their lead to 7-3 over Baton Rouge. 

The Baton Rouge bats woke up, in the seventh inning, when they would plate two runs to inch closer 7-5. Tanner Hornback and Ryan Richard would hit back-to-back singles. Barrett Hebert would follow with a double to centerfield, scoring Hornback and Richard.

Baton Rouge would take the lead, in the eighth inning, scoring 4 runs: 9-7. Seth Fontenot and Lane Patin would draw back-to-back walks. Both runners would move up 90 feet on a wild pitch. Braden McLin would reach on error by the shortstop thus driving in Fontenot. Jackson Martin would ground out to first, but Patin would score to tie the game at seven. Tanner Hornback would hit an infield single scoring McLin. Hornback would steal second and score on an error by Southwest's catcher.

Southwest would tie the game at 9 with a double, hit by batter and a double. Southwest would tact on two more runs to take an 11-9 lead into the ninth inning. Baton Rouge would go down in order, in the top of the ninth, thus losing 11-9 to the Southwest Mississippi Bears.

Owen Ponthieux started on the mound for the Baton Rouge Diamond Bears. Owen pitched three innings allowing 4 runs (1earned run) on 4 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 3. Cole Veronie (2 innings), Nash Tamplet (1.0. Inning), Tanner Cranford (1.1 innings) and Cade Robin (0.2 innings) pitched in relief for Baton Rouge. Cade Robin took the loss for Baton Rouge. Myles Green started on the mound for Southwest Mississippi.

Southwest outhit Baton Rouge 15 to 7. Baton Rouge committed 2 errors while Southwest committed 4 in the ball game.

Bears Highlights:

Braden McLin had 3 BB, 2 Runs and 1 RBI

Jackson Martin went 1 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI.

Tanner Hornback went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and1RBI.

Ryan Richard went 1 for 3 with 2 runs and 2 BB.

Barrett Hebert went 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 1 double.

Conner Kleinpeter went 1 for 5 with 3 RBIs and a double.

Lane Patin went 1 for 3 with 1 run.

With the victory Southwest Mississippi improved to 1-2 while Baton Rouge fell to 0-6 on the season. Baton Rouge still leads the overall series with 25 wins and 15 losses to Southwest Mississippi.

The Bears will travel to Poplarville, Mississippi this Friday February 9, 2024, to take on the Pearl River Community College Wildcats. The doubleheader will start at 2 pm.

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