Baton Rouge drops heartbreaker to open 2026 Season

Thursday, January 29, 2026: Baseball 

Thibodaux, LA  

The Baton Rouge Bears opened the 2026 season on the road at Ray E. Didier Field on the campus of Nicholls State University this evening against the Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears. The Battle of the Bears did not disappoint, as Baton Rouge tied the game with two runs in the top of the ninth to force extra innings. However, Southwest eventually secured a walk-off victory in the bottom of the eleventh, winning 3-2. 

Southwest struck first, taking the lead in the first inning due to aggressive baserunning and a Baton Rouge error. After one inning, Southwest led Baton Rouge 1-0. They managed to score again in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on a hit by pitch and another error from the Bears, extending their lead to 2-0. 

In the fourth inning, Baton Rouge threatened to score when Cooper Martin drew a walk and advanced to second on a balk, but he was left stranded. Southwest broke into the hits column in the bottom of the sixth when C. Bolden singled to right field. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a stolen base but was left stranded as Evan McDaniel induced a fly ball to centerfield for the third out. After six innings, Southwest maintained a slim 2-0 lead over Baton Rouge. 

Kenneth Berard recorded the first hit for the Bears in 2026 with a single in the top of the seventh inning. Southwest managed to turn their fourth double play of the game, escaping unscathed. 

As Baton Rouge faced their last at-bats in the top of the ninth inning, they ignited a comeback rally. Brecken Bordelon led off with a single past the shortstop into right field and then stole second. Jayden Jackson reached on a ground ball to the third base, placing Bears on the corners. Jackson subsequently stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position. Kenneth Berard hit a ground ball to the shortstop, resulting in an out at first, but Bordelon scored at the plate, bringing the Bears within one. Cooper Martin walked and was substituted by Cameron Washington. Trent Laporte hit another ground ball to first base, and despite Southwest's attempt at a double play, the Bears tied the game at two. 

Kohl Navarre of Baton Rouge set down the Southwest Bears in order in the bottom of the ninth, forcing extra innings. In the top of the tenth, Baton Rouge threatened again when Peyton Chiasson led off with a single. Keegan Kelsey hit into a fielder's choice, and Brecken Bordelon added an infield single, putting two runners on base. However, Jayden Jackson hit into another fielder's choice, ending the inning. 

In the bottom of the tenth, Southwest put pressure on Baton Rouge when S. Trumminello drew a leadoff walk. After being replaced on the bases by L. French, who advanced to second on an error and stole third, Spencer Srubar forced a line out to Kelsey for the second out, followed by a strikeout, leaving Southwest runners stranded at third. 

With the game still tied in the bottom of the eleventh, Southwest led off with a walk. A passed ball and a bunt single put runners at the corners. Baton Rouge induced a double play, holding Southwest at third. However, J. Dominano hit a hard ball off BRCC's Brayden Bertucci at shortstop, driving in the winning run and securing the walk-off victory for Southwest. 

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Tanner Cranford started on the mound for Baton Rouge, pitching three innings with 2 unearned runs and no hits allowed. Evan McDaniel pitched 3.0 innings, and Brennan Champagne (1.0 innings), Kohl Navarre (2.0 innings), Spencer Srubar (1.0 innings), and James T Lewis (0.2 innings) also saw action in relief. James T. Lewis took the loss, while Wyatt Garrett earned the victory for Southwest. Southwest used eight pitchers in relief. 

With this loss, Baton Rouge falls to 0-1 for the season, while Southwest improves to 1-0. Baton Rouge still leads the all-time series with 27 wins to Southwest's 17. 

Bears Highlights:  

• Brayden Bertucci: 2 for 5  

• Jayden Jackson: 1 for 5 with 1 run  

• Kenneth Berard: 1 for 3  

• Brecken Bordelon: 2 for 4 with 1 run  

• Peyton Chiasson: 1 for 3  

• Trent Laporte: 1 for 3 

Next Up: 

The Bears will travel to Raymond, Mississippi, for a doubleheader against the Hinds Community College Eagles on Tuesday, February 3. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 PM.  

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For more information on the Bears Baseball team, follow us on Twitter at @BRCC_Baseball and on Instagram and Facebook at BRCCAthletics.