The Baton Rouge Rougarou hung a No. 15 on the outfield wall at Pete Goldsby Field to honor legendary LSU coach Skip Bertman Saturday night, but it was No. 10 who was the hero in a thrilling 9-8 extra inning win over the Victoria Generals.
After Blaise Priester was hit by a pitch to score Matt Keller to tie the game at 8-8 in the bottom of the 10th inning, Number 10, Rougarou center fielder Dalton Wilson, sent a single up the middle to score Ben Robichaux for the win.
And then Wilson was chased by a pack of Rougarou into the outfield, where his No. 10 jersey was enthusiastically removed by his teammates.
"The jersey did survive," an exuberant Wilson said. "It was amazing. That will be a core memory for sure. It was a huge confidence boost and momentum builder. It was a necessary win."
The Victoria Generals (31-13), the defending Texas Collegiate League champs and the reigning Texas Division champions, rode an 11-game win-streak into Pete Goldsby Field. The Rougarou (37-9), champions of the Louisiana Division, had won 10 in a row.
"Great team win all around," Rougarou skipper Stephen Klein said. "That was a championship win and that is what this team is all about."
Wilson said he had been struggling at the plate recently, but came through with two hits and led the team with four RBIs on the night. The Rougarou finished with nine hits off of four Victoria pitchers and took advantage of six walks and six hit batters.
Casey Artigues went 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Robichaux had a pair of hits, including a double, and two RBIs. Keller had a pair of hits, including a double, and scored two runs.
On Skip Bertman Night, it was Bertman's grandson Ezra Pate who got the start on the mound. Thomas Collins, J.D. Rodriguez, Caleb Ougle and Garrett Hill (WP) all pitched in relief. Together they allowed 13 hits, walked six and struck out 12.
The Generals jumped out 3-1 after the first three innings and led 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Then the Rougarou came to life. With two out In the bottom of the fifth, Artigues singled and went to second on a wild pitch. Robichaux walked. Josh Shelly was hit by a pitch (one of three times on the night) to load the bases. Blaise Priester was hit by a pitch to score Artigues. Wilson walked to score Robichaux then Byron Robinson walked to score Shelly, making it 5-4 in favor of the Generals.
The Rougarou added three runs in the bottom of the sixth when Bennett Clement drew a lead off walk then Keller singled. Artigues walked to load the bases. Robichaux singled to score Clement and Keller. After a fly out and a strike out, Wilson singled to score Artigues, giving the Rougarou a 7-5 lead.
Victoria scored one run in the top of the seventh then tied the game at 7-7 with one run in the top of the ninth. The Generals added one in the top of the 10th to make it 8-7.
The Rougarou and the Generals will close out the regular season on Sunday at Pete Goldsby Field.
By Lori Lyons, Rougarou Writer
Photo by Carla Walker