By Lori Lyons, Rougarou writer
A night after losing a heartbreaker in Youngsville on Thursday, the Baton Rouge Rougarou got a measure of revenge against the Acadiana Cane Cutters on Friday, taking an 11-5 win at Pete Goldsby Field.
Acadiana and Baton Rouge were tied 8-8 Thursday night when Lee Amedee hit a walk-off single to give the Cane Cutters 9-8 win. On Friday, Rougarou starting pitcher Gavin Green took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Baton Rouge seemed to be running away with a 5-0 lead.
But Acadiana rocked the Roux for five runs on five hits and three walks in the sixth inning to make things interesting. Baton Rouge came back though and made up three runs in the seventh to seal the deal against its rival in the Battle of the Basin.
With the win, the first against Acadiana in four games, Baton Rouge improved to 11-9.
Green threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits, walking two and striking out five. Jack Hill gave up two runs on two hits, walked two and struck out one. Collier Barham and Hayden Oglesby gave up no runs and no hits. Closer Connor Spencer pitched the final two innings, giving up no runs, no hits, walking one and striking out five of the six batters he faced. The Cane Cutters were held to five hits and committed eight errors. They struck out 13 times.
The Rougarou knocked 13 hits against five Acadiana pitchers. Josh Shelly hat the hot bat, as he went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in the third inning and a 3-run home run in the fourth inning. He also hit one homer in Thursday night’s loss. He had five RBIs and scored three runs on the night. Trevor Durr had two hits, including a triple, and scored two runs. Derrald Moore Jr. and T.J. Grines both had two hits and scored two runs.
Rougarou coach Jeff “Rooster” Southall commended Green’s excellent start.
“He didn’t give up a hit until the sixth,” Southall said. “He commanded his breaking ball and mixed it with good location on his fast ball. Hill and Barham didn’t have their best outings, but the offense picked them up. Spencer threw the eighth and ninth after a terrific fireworks display.”
The Rougarou will host the Victoria Generals Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. at Goldsby Field.