The Baton Rouge Rougarou faced a number of challenges in the first week of the 2024 season.
There were a couple of tough losses, rainouts, and more rain that caused postponements and cancellations. Then there was a road trip that saw a comeback win in extra innings, a four hour marathon game and another rally for a win that put the team above .500.
And Rougarou center fielder Zeb Ruddell has handled it all just fine, despite having a lot going on off the field as well.
Last week Ruddell was named the Texas Collegiate League’s first Position Player of the Week of the season. In his first week as a Rougarou, Ruddell hit .500 with an OPS of 1.215. Through seven games, he is hitting .321 with five runs, nine hits and six stolen bases and has become the team’s leadoff man.
“It’s just putting together some good at-bats – it’s been a while -- and just being athletic,” Ruddell said. “I happened to have some good games and catch some barrels and baseball’s not always like that. You may struggle at first, but it’s been good to me so far.”
No slouch on defense, Sunday night he made a pretty impressive catch in center field that robbed the Acadiana Cane Cutters of a couple of runs and had everybody confused for a minute. Ruddell said jammed his thumb on the play and took a few extra seconds to get up.
“There were people running when I got up,” he said. “I didn’t know what the heck was going on.”
It has been a while since Ruddell has seen this much action. A stellar player Ouachita Christian and then Neville High School, Ruddell’s lifelong dream came true when he signed to play baseball for LSU – a day he said he will never forget.
He had transferred from Ouachita Christian to Neville in order to develop as a player and this was the payoff. LSU was his dream school. The baseball team was one he dreamed of playing for since he was a little kid.
“It’s where I always wanted to go. I think it’s every Louisiana kid baseball player’s dream,” he said. “I don’t regret it.”
But reality doesn’t always live up to the dream, as Riddell has discovered. He redshirted as a freshman last year, then saw limited action this season. He played in only 15 games, going 2 for 10 with one home run, three walks and a double, and was not on the postseason roster as the Tigers went to the SEC tournament and the regional.
“I love LSU and always will and I’m forever grateful for the time there,” he said. “But I also just felt like I didn’t see my future there. I feel like it wasn’t the right fit for me anymore, so it was time for me to make a decision.
“I’m just looking to find a place where I’m comfortable with the coaches, I can believe in what they’re doing and what they’re trying to accomplish, and a place that can really develop me more. The goal, hopefully, is to become a pro player. I’m looking for a place that can develop me into that.”
In the meantime, Ruddell is enjoying his time as a Rougarou.
“I love it a lot,” he said. “It can really test you. It can really frustrate you at times but ultimately, it can make you a better player because you don’t get away with some of the stuff with a wood bat that you do with the metal.”
Rougarou Coach James Dillard is happy to have him too.
“Zeb has been a great addition to our lineup,” Dillard said. “He has fit in well in the clubhouse and our lineup. He gives us a great at-bat to start the offense and is a threat on the bases as well. (I’m) excited to see not only what he does for the Rougarou this summer, but also what he does in the future. Zeb is one of those guys that makes everyone around him better.”
Lori Lyons, Rougarou Writer