By Lori Lyons, Rougarou Writer
The Baton Rouge Rougarou jumped early but had to rally late to take a 10-6 victory over the Seguin River Monsters Saturday night at Smokey Joe Williams Stadium. The win keeps the Rougarou in first place in the Texas Collegiate League and improved the team’s record to 10-5 overall.
The Rougarou jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but needed four runs in the fifth to retake the lead, 6-3. Baton Rouge added two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh, then had to hold off a Seguin rally attempt in the ninth.
Josh Shelly, Brady McGee and Austin O’Malley all had two hits for the Rougarou, which finished with 10 hits and took advantage of 10 walks. Banks Byers, Davis Meche and McGee had two RBIs apiece. Will Safford scored three runs and walked three times. Shelly, Derrald Moore Jr. and McGee all scored two runs.
The River Monsters knocked 13 hits off of five Rougarou pitchers. Starter Camden Chalfant threw three innings, giving up three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out three. Jack Hill (WP), Andrew Yuratich, Thomas Amador and Ethan Brister all pitched in relief. Together they walked five and struck out six.
Trailing 3-2 in the fifth inning, the Rougarou scored four runs on three hits. Safford led off the inning with a walk then Shelly singled. Safford scored and Shelly ended up at second on the throw. Moore walked then McGee singled to load the bases. A walk to Byers scored Shelly. Meche grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Moore but Byers was out at second.
After a pitching change, O’Malley singled to score McGee, but the Rougarou two runners on base.
With two out in the sixth, Moore walked, stole second and scored on a hit by McGee. Byers singled to score McGee.
In the seventh, Trevor Durr walked and went to second on a passed ball. After Safford singled, the runners advanced on a double steal. Then Shelly walked to load the bases before Moore singled to score Safford and Durr.
Seguin rattled the Rougarou in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out on a walk, a single and a hit batter. One run scored when another batter was hit, but Brister got the final batter to fly out to center field for the final out of the game.
Coach Jeff “Rooster” Southall was not available for comment after the game while dealing with some transportation issues. The Rougarou will be back at Pete Goldsby Field Sunday night at 7 p.m. to host the Acadiana Cane Cutters.