By Lori Lyons, Rougarou Writer
The Baton Rouge Rougarou retaliated for last night’s loss to Brazos Valley by taking a decisive 9-2 win over the Bombers Saturday night at Pete Goldsby Field. It was the team’s first win of the second half of the season.
The Rourgarou (13-15, 1-3) scored two runs in the first inning, two in the third, two more in the fourth and the fifth, and one in the sixth. They got all their runs on only six hits – all singles — with the help of eight walks and two Brazos Valley errors.
T.J. Grines, Derrald Moore Jr., Davis Meche, Banks Byers, Jackson Walker and Jason Hawkins all had hits for the Rougarou. Meche drove in three runs, Byers two, Grines and Walker one each.
The Bombers scored one run in the fourth and one in the ninth and finished with five singles.
Starting pitcher Will Tarpley gave up one run on three hits, walking four and striking out five in five innings of work. Andrew Yuratich threw two innings, giving up no runs and no hits. He struck out two. Cowan Alfonso closed, giving up one run on two hits and one walk and striking out three.
The Rougarou never trailed after jumping to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Grines started the inning by reaching on an error by the Brazos Valley shortstop and then stole second. He went to third on a grounder by Josh Shelly. Mozell Little III walked and went to second on a grounder by Moore. After Meche walked to load the bases, Byers singled to score Grines and Little.
In the third inning, Little drew a lead-off walk and stole second. Moore singled to move Little to third then stole second. Little scored on a sacrifice fly by Meche and Moore scored on a single by Walker.
The Bombers scored in the top of the fourth to make it 4-1, but Baton Rouge added to its lead in the bottom of the frame. Hawkins led off with a single and went to second on a passed ball. Grines and Little walked to load the bases. With two outs, Meche singled to score Grines and Hawkins.
With the Rougarou ahead 6-1, Walker led off the fifth with a walk and went to second on a wild pitch. He went to third on a groundout by Trevor Durr. Hawkins reached first on an error which allowed Walker to score. Hawkins scored on a single by Grines to give Baton Rouge a 8-1 lead.
The Rougarou made it 9-1 in the sixth when Moore drew a lead-off walk, stole second and third then scored on a wild pitch.
The Rougarou will be home again Sunday night to host the Seguin River Monsters at 7 p.m.