Bears drop series opener to Gulf Coast State

Friday, February 27, 2026: Baseball

Panama City, FL

The Baton Rouge Bears and the Gulf Coast State Commodores met this afternoon at Frazier Field to kick off a three-game series. The game featured a back-and-forth battle, and the Commodores managed to edge out the Bears with a score of 9 to 6.

In the first three inning,, the game began as a classic pitching duel. The Bears opened the scoring, in the fourth inning, with a solo home run to right field by Mason LeBlanc, taking an early lead of 1-0. The Commodores quickly tied the game with a lead-off homer to left field by B. Mann, in the fifth inning.

The Bears broke the game open in the top of the seventh inning, scoring four runs to take a 5-1 lead. Trent Laporte led off with an infield single, followed by Cooper Martin's single to right field. Jay Stelly then added another infield single to load the bases. Peyton Chiasson capped off the inning with a grand slam over the right field wall, clearing the bases.

However, the Commodores responded in dramatic fashion, scoring six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. J. Ray contributed significantly with a three-run homer to right field. After seven innings, the Commodores led 7-5 over the Bears. Gulf Coast added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run homer to center field by D. Avera. The Bears fought back, with Kenneth Beard hitting a solo homer to right field with two outs, but the Commodores managed to induce a flyout to end the Bears' rally and the game. Gulf Coast State completed the comeback to win 9-6, taking game one of the three-game series.

Joshua Jensen started on the mound for the Bears, pitching four innings and allowing no runs on one hit, with three walks and five strikeouts. Kyle Stansbury (1.0 innings), Jayse Degruy (1.1 innings), and Jack Conravey (1.2 innings) pitched in relief for the Bears. Degruy was credited with the loss, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. Reese Marcum started for the Commodores and pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. P. Juhan earned the victory for Gulf Coast State.

The Commodores outhit the Bears 11 to 9, and both teams committed one error. Each team hit three home runs during the game.

Bears Highlights

- Gabriel McKee: 1 for 5 

- Kenneth Berard: 1 for 4 with 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 BB, and 1 homer 

- Mason LeBlanc: 1 for 5 with 1 run, 1 RBI, and 1 homer 

- Brayden Bertucci: 1 for 4 

- Trent Laporte: 1 for 4 with 1 run 

- Cooper Martin: 1 for 3 with 1 run and 1 BB 

- Jay Stelly: 1 for 3 with 1 run and 1 BB 

- Peyton Chiasson: 1 for 3 with 1 run, 4 RBIs, and 1 grand slam 

- Brecken Bordelon: 1 for 4 

With the loss, the Bears fall to 0-17, while the Commodores improve to 10-11 on the season.

Next Up

The Bears will conclude their three-game series with the Gulf Coast State Commodores tomorrow, Saturday, February 28, with a doubleheader starting at 12 PM at Frazier Field in Panama City, Florida.

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