Bears drop a pair of conference games to the Nunez Pelicans

Friday, April 3, 2026: Baseball 

Baton Rouge, LA 

The Baton Rouge Bears and the Nunez Pelicans braved the rainy weather to compete in a doubleheader at Pete Goldsby Field. The Pelicans swept the day with two victories, winning by scores of 5-2 and 7-4.

Game One 

Even though the Bears outhit the Pelicans, they were unable to secure timely hits, resulting in a 5-2 loss in the first game of the doubleheader. The Pelicans struck first, scoring a run in the top of the third inning to take an early lead. They then capitalized on a series of hits and fielding errors by the Bears to push four runs across in the top of the fourth, extending their lead to 5-0.

The Bears managed to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. Hudson Heltz led off the seventh with a single up the middle. Cooper Martin followed with an infield single. Keegan Kelsey reached first on a fielder's choice, putting Bears on first and second. Kenneth Berard then hit a single to right field to load the bases. Brayden Bertucci capped the inning with a double, driving in the Bears' only two runs of the game.

Spencer Srubar started on the mound for the Bears and took the loss, pitching 3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 2. Kohl Navarre (1.0 inning) and Grayson Davis (3.0 innings) provided relief. For the Pelicans, L. Conerly earned the win, pitching 7 innings and allowing 2 runs on 9 hits, with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.

The Bears outhit the Pelicans 9 to 6, with both teams credited with one error.

Bears Highlights

- Keegan Kelsey: 1 for 3 with 1 walk 

- Kenneth Berard: 1 for 3 

- Brayden Bertucci: 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs 

- Brecken Bordelon: 1 for 4 

- Jayden Jackson: 1 for 3 

- Cayden Vice: 1 for 3 

- Hudson Heltz: 1 for 3 

- Cooper Martin: 1 for 3 

Game Two

The Bears scored first and made a late rally, but ultimately fell 7-4 in the second game of the doubleheader. The Bears opened the scoring in the first inning, when Keegan Kelsey led off with a double to left field. Brayden Bertucci grounded out to the second baseman, allowing Kelsey to score on the play.

The Pelicans responded, tying the game with a run in the top of the second. C. Breaux reached base on an error and later scored on a double by B. Gaubert. The Pelicans added another run in the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead. They strung together three consecutive singles in the fifth inning to push their lead to 3-1. In the eighth inning, the Pelicans struck again with two runs off three singles and a walk.

The Bears finally scored again in the bottom of the eighth but still trailed 6-4. Brayden Bertucci and Brecken Bordelon drew back-to-back walks. Ben Switzer then singled to right field, scoring Bertucci and advancing Bordelon to third. Jayden Jackson followed with a single up the middle, driving in Bordelon. Hudson Heltz added a double to left field, bringing in Switzer while Jackson was held at third base.

The Pelicans secured an insurance run in the top of the ninth, extending their lead to 7-4. The Bears were unable to generate any offense in the bottom of the ninth and fell to defeat.

Evan McDaniel started on the mound for the Bears and took the loss, pitching 7 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits, walking 2, and striking out 4. Joshua Jensen (1.1 innings) and Conner Mayeux (0.2 innings) contributed in relief. S. Smith started for the Pelicans, earning the win with a 7.1-inning outing, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, walking 1, and striking out 2. B. Calamari (0.2 innings) and C. Dayton (1.0 inning) pitched in relief for Nunez.

Nunez outhit Baton Rouge 14 to 9, while the Bears committed one error.

Bears Highlights

- Keegan Kelsey: 3 for 5 with 1 run 

- Kenneth Berard: 1 for 4 

- Brayden Bertucci: 1 run and 1 RBI 

- Cayden Vice: 1 for 3 

- Ben Switzer: 2 for 4 with 1 run and 1 RBI 

- Jayden Jackson: 1 for 4 with 1 RBI 

- Hudson Heltz: 1 for 4 with 1 RBI 

With these two losses, the Bears' record falls to 4-33, while the Pelicans improve to 18-13. The all-time series is now tied, with both teams having 24 wins each.

Up Next:

The Bears and Pelicans will conclude their series with an early game scheduled for 10:30 AM tomorrow, Saturday, April 4, at Pete Goldsby Field to avoid expected afternoon thunderstorms.

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