Bears walk off the Southeastern CC Blackhawks!

Monday, March 16, 2026: Baseball 

Baton Rouge, LA 

After spending the first half of the season on the road, the Bears returned home to the friendly confines of Pete Goldsby Field this afternoon to take on the Southeastern College Blackhawks in the first of a two-game series. The Bears rallied to tie the game and ultimately walked off the Blackhawks with a final score of 8-7.

The Bears encountered trouble in the first inning when the Blackhawks loaded the bases after a walk, a single, and another walk. However, Bears pitcher Chandler Moreau was able to escape the jam by recording a fly out, a line out, and a strikeout to end the Blackhawks' threat.

In the second inning, Southeastern took advantage of some inconsistent Bears pitching and the wind, scoring three runs, including a home run by E. Osorio to right field. The Blackhawks led the Bears 3-0 at this point.

The Bears found some offensive momentum in the bottom of the third inning, scratching across a run to reduce the deficit to 3-1. Cooper Martin hit a double to right field and scored on a single from Kenneth Berard.

The Blackhawks added a run in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 4-1, capitalizing on Bears' fielding miscues. They further increased their lead with another run in the top of the fifth inning, making it 5-1.

Finally, the Bears found their rhythm at the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring six runs to take a 7-5 lead. Gabriel McKee was hit by a pitch, followed by Kenneth Berard's single, and Brecken Bordelon reached on an error, loading the bases. Brayden Bertucci hit a single to right field, scoring McKee for the first run of the inning. Chase Kelley then hit a single of his own, bringing in Berard and Bordelon. Hudson Heltz laid down a perfect bunt, reaching on another error that allowed Bertucci and Kelley to score. Ben Switzer grounded out but enabled Hudson to score as well.

Southeastern inched closer in the sixth inning with a solo home run to right field by J. Nydegger, making it 7-6. The Blackhawks tied the game with a run in the top of the eighth inning.

The Bears threatened in the bottom of the eighth with two runners on base, but both were stranded. The Blackhawks, in the top of the ninth, managed to put two runners on, but Bears relief pitcher Cole Cranford shut down the rally with two strikeouts and a groundout.

In the ninth inning, Chase Kelley led off with a single to left field. Hudson Heltz executed a sacrifice bunt to move Kelley to second base. Trent Laporte then hit a pinch-hit single, putting Bears on the corners. Ben Switzer followed with a single to left field, driving home Kelley for a walk-off victory with the final score of 8-7.

Chandler Moreau started on the mound for the Bears, pitching three innings and allowing three runs on three hits while walking four and striking out one. Evan McDaniel pitched five solid innings in relief, giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits, walking one, and striking out seven. Cole Cranford pitched one inning in relief and earned the victory. N. Meis started for the Blackhawks, pitching four innings and allowing three runs on four hits while walking none and striking out three.

Baton Rouge outhit Southeastern 13 to 8, while the Bears committed five errors compared to two by the Blackhawks.

Bears Highlights:

- Gabriel McKee: 1 run 

- Kenneth Berard: 3 for 5 with 1 run and 1 RBI 

- Brecken Bordelon: 2 for 4 with 1 run and 1 walk 

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

- Chase Kelley: 2 for 5 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs 

- Hudson Heltz: 1 run 

- Aiden Washington: 1 for 4 

- Trent Laporte: 1 for 1 

- Ben Switzer: 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 1 walk 

- Cooper Martin: 2 for 4 with 1 run 

With this victory, the Bears improved to 2-22, while the Blackhawks fell to 11-7 on the season. Southeastern still leads the all-time series with 5 wins and 2 losses against Baton Rouge.

Next Up

The Bears and the Blackhawks will conclude their two-game series tomorrow, March 17. First pitch is set for 1 PM at Pete Goldsby Field.

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