By Lori Lyons, Rougarou Writer
Not much went right for the Baton Rouge Rougarou Wednesday night.
An afternoon rainstorm delayed the start of the game 30 minutes, then a power surge knocked out the lights in the fifth inning, causing another 20 minute delay. By the ninth inning, things were looking up, though, as the Rougarou had 6-2 lead. But then things took another turn.
Brazos Valley scored four runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game and force it into extra innings, then scored two in the top of the 10th to hand the Rougarou a heartbreaking 8-6 loss.
It was the first home loss for the Roux since June 17 and dropped them two and a half games behind the Victoria Generals in the second half of the Texas Collegiate League with two regular season games remaining.
The Rougarou had kept the Bombers at bay through most of the long night thanks to the pitching of starter Aiden Vosburg, making only his third appearance. He held the Bombers to two runs on four hits, including a 2-run home run in the top of the fourth. He walked three and struck out five in five innings. Connor Wilson and Ethan Brister combined for three scoreless innings to keep the Rougarou on top.
But the Bombers rocked reliever Sonny Brandwood for four runs on four hits in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 6-6 and retired the Rougarou in order in the bottom of the inning to send the game into the 10th. There, the Bombers scored two runs on one hit with the help of an error, a walk and a wild pitch to take an 8-6 lead.
Baton Rouge left men at second and third in the bottom of the frame.
The Rougarou finished the game with 10 hits, including doubles by Brennan Holt (2-for-5), Landrey Wilkerson (3-for-5) and Monray Van der Walt (1-for-4). Derrald Moore went 2-for-3 with a 3-run home run that broke the 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth. Wilkerson drove in the fourth run in that inning.
The Rougarou will take off Thursday and Friday then travel to the Acadiana Cane Cutters for one game on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Cane Cutters will come to Pete Goldsby on Sunday for the final game of the regular season. The playoffs begin Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Pete Goldsby when the Rougarou will host Bark At the Park with free admission for anyone with a canine companion.