Despite hitting nine homers, the Bears are swept by the Pelcians

Saturday, April 25, 2026: Baseball 

Chalmette, LA

The Bears and Pelicans continued their conference series this afternoon with a pair of seven-inning games at Noel Suarez Stadium. With a total of 16 home runs hit during the doubleheader (Pelicans 7, Bears 9), it was truly a slugfest. The Pelicans would sweep the day with victories of 12-9 and 8-6.

Game One

The opening game of today's doubleheader was a true slugfest, featuring a total of seven home runs between the two teams—four by the Bears and three by the Pelicans. The Pelicans took advantage of crucial opportunities to secure a 12-9 victory over the Bears.

The Bears got on the board first with two runs, courtesy of a two-run homer hit to center field by Trent Laporte, giving them an early lead. The Pelicans responded quickly, capitalizing on a Bears error and a walk, along with a few timely hits, to plate two runs and tie the game at two.

The Bears regained the lead with two more runs in the top of the second when Brecken Bordelon and Keegan Kelsey reached base on a fielder's choice. They both scored on a single to right field by Kenneth Berard, making it 4-2.

However, the Pelicans quickly tied the game in the bottom of the second with a two-run homer from J. Waller, then took the lead with a solo homer to right field by W. Nikolaus. They added another run in the frame for a 6-4 lead.

The Bears led off the third inning with a home run from Trent Laporte, narrowing the deficit to 6-5. The Pelicans added three runs to their lead in the bottom of the fourth, extending it to 10-5.

Despite trailing, the Bears kept fighting and scored a run in the top of the fifth. Cooper Martin hit a double up the middle and scored on a single by Brecken Bordelon. The Bears still trailed at 10-6. The Pelicans managed to scratch across another run in the bottom of the fifth, increasing their lead to 11-6.

Trent Laporte struck again in the top of the sixth with a two-run homer to right field, pulling the Bears within three runs at 11-8. The Pelicans responded with a solo homer from C. Stelly in the bottom of the sixth, extending their lead to 12-8.

In the top of the seventh, the Bears got a solo home run from Brecken Bordelon, but it wasn't enough as the Bears fell 12-9 in the first game of today's doubleheader.

Spencer Srubar started on the mound for the Bears and took the loss, pitching three innings and allowing eight runs (six earned) on six hits, walking four and striking out one. Joshua Jensen (2.2 innings) and Conner Mayeux (0.1 innings) provided relief for the Bears. A. Ryan started on the mound for the Pelicans and earned the victory, pitching three innings and allowing five runs on five hits while striking out two and not issuing any walks. J. Lachney and J. Rider pitched in relief for the Pelicans.

The Bears outhit the Pelicans 11 to 19, with both teams committing two errors during the game.

Bears Highlights: 

- Keegan Kelsey: 1 for 5 with 1 run 

- Kenneth Berard: 1 for 3 with 1 run and 2 RBIs 

- Brayden Bertucci: 1 for 3 with 1 run and 1 walk 

- Trent Laporte: 3 for 3 with 5 RBIs, 3 home runs, and 1 walk 

- Cooper Martin: 3 for 4 with 1 run 

- Brecken Bordelon: 2 for 4 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 1 home run

Game Two

Game two of today's doubleheader came down to the wire, with the Bears tying the game in the top of the ninth. The Pelicans walked off with a two-run homer by C. Stelly in the bottom of the frame.

The Bears opened the scoring first with a solo homer by Trent Laporte, marking his fourth homer of the day. The Pelicans equalized in the bottom of the second with a leadoff homer by B. Gaubert to centerfield.

The Bears regained the lead with a two-run homer by Kenneth Berard in the top of the third inning. Keegan Kelsey drew a walk, and Berard drove him in with the homer, making it 3-1. The Pelicans answered back with a three-run homer by C. Stelly to centerfield, taking a 4-3 lead.

Cooper Martin tied the game at four with a leadoff solo shot to centerfield in the top of the fourth. Once again, the Pelicans took the lead with a run in the bottom of the frame, bringing the score to 5-4. Nunez extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff solo shot by C. Stelly, making it 6-4.

Jayden Jackson of the Bears led off the sixth inning with a solo shot to centerfield, closing the gap to one run at 6-5. The Bears tied the game in the top of the seventh with a solo home run by Brayden Bertucci.

Nunez led off the bottom of the seventh with a single by B. Louque. After a fly out by the Bears, C. Stelly hit a two-run homer to right field, winning the game for the Pelicans, 8-6.

James T. Lewis started on the mound for the Bears, pitching 6 innings and allowing 6 runs on 9 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3. Scott Recile pitched in relief for the Bears, taking the loss with 0.1 innings pitched, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits. C. Dayton started for the Pelicans, pitching 3 innings with 3 runs allowed on 4 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 1. C. Klug and J. Crane pitched in relief for the Pelicans, with J. Crane earning the victory.

The Bears outhit Baton Rouge 11-9, although they committed two errors.

Bears Highlights:

- Keegan Kelsey: 1 run, 2 walks

- Kenneth Berard: 2 for 4 with 1 run, 2 RBIs, and 1 homer

- Trent Laporte: 1 for 4 with 1 run, 1 RBI, and 1 homer

- Brayden Bertucci: 2 for 3 with 1 run, 1 RBI, 1 walk, and 1 homer

- Hudson Heltz: 1 for 3

- Jayden Jackson: 1 for 4 with 1 run, 1 RBI, and 1 homer

- Cooper Martin: 2 for 3 with 1 run, 1 RBI, and 1 homer

With this win, the Bears improved to 5-45 overall and 1-18 in the conference, while the Pelicans fell to 23-20 and 8-11 on the season. Nunez leads the all-time series with 27 wins to 25 losses against Baton Rouge.

Up Next:

The Bears and the Pelicans will conclude their conference series with a nine-inning game on Sunday, April 26. First pitch is set for 1 PM at Noel Suarez Stadium.

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