Late inning offensive explosion by Blackhawks downs the Bears

Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Baseball 

The Baton Rouge Bears and the Southeastern Blackhawks concluded their two-game series this afternoon at Pete Goldsby Field. The Blackhawks used a late-inning offensive explosion to defeat the Bears 15 to 7. 

The Bears got on the board first, scoring a run in the first inning to take an early lead. Trent Laporte hit a double down the left-field line, followed by Brayden Bertucci drawing a walk. Brecken Bordelon then hit a single up the middle, scoring Laporte for the Bears' first run. 

The Blackhawks took advantage of a walk and a hit-by-pitch to plate two runs in the top of the third, taking a 2-1 lead over the Bears. However, the Bears responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to lead 4-2. Laporte drew a walk, Bertucci reached on a Blackhawks fielding error, and Bordelon hit a single to load the bases. Keegan Kelsey then hit a single to left field that cleared the bases, plating Laporte, Bertucci, and Bordelon. 

The Blackhawks inched closer, scoring a run in the fourth inning with a single by S. Park and an RBI triple by T. Holomar, making it 4-3. The Bears managed to scratch across a run in the bottom of that inning, increasing their lead to 5-3. Cooper Martin and Gabriel McKee both reached base after being hit by a pitch, and Kenneth Berard reached on an error, allowing Martin to score on the same play. 

The Bears added two more runs to their lead in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 7-3 lead over the Blackhawks. Ben Switzer led off with a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. He scored when Gabriel McKee grounded out to the Blackhawks first baseman. Kenneth Berard then hit a double to left field, Trent Laporte was hit by a pitch, and Brayden Bertucci singled to right field, driving in Berard. 

The Blackhawks' bats erupted in the top of the seventh inning, plating six runs to take a 9-7 lead. They capitalized on some inconsistent pitching by the Bears, highlighted by a grand slam from J. Petsche, which contributed significantly to their runs in that frame. The Blackhawks added five more runs in the top of the eighth and one more in the ninth to secure a 15-7 victory over the Bears. 

James T Lewis started on the mound for the Bears, pitching four innings and allowing three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out four. Scott Recile (2.1 innings), Kyle Stansbury (0.2 innings), Kohl Navarre (0.1 innings), and Grant Porche (1.2 innings) provided relief for the Bears, with Stansbury being credited with the loss. Andrew Hamlett started on the mound for the Blackhawks, pitching two innings and allowing one run on three hits while walking one and striking out two. 

Southeastern outhit Baton Rouge 15 to 9. The Blackhawks were credited with four errors compared to two for the Bears. 

Bears Highlights: 

• Kenneth Berard: 1 for 5 with 1 run and 1 double 

• Trent Laporte: 1 for 1 with 2 runs and 3 walks 

• Brayden Bertucci: 1 for 4 with 1 run, 1 RBI, and 1 walk 

• Brecken Bordelon: 2 for 5 with 1 run and 1 RBI 

• Keegan Kelsey: 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs 

• Peyton Chiasson: 1 for 1 

• Ben Switzer: 2 walks and 1 run 

• Cooper Martin: 1 for 3 with 1 run and 1 hit-by-pitch 

With the loss, the Bears fell to 2-23 on the season, while the Blackhawks improved to 12-6. Southeastern still leads the all-time series with 6 wins and 2 losses against Baton Rouge. 

Next Up:

The Bears will open a four-game series this weekend against the #2 Dallas College Eastfield Harvester Bees at Pete Goldsby Field. The games are scheduled for 12 PM & 4 PM on Friday and Saturday. 

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