The defending Texas Collegiate League champion Baton Rouge Rougarou picked up right where they left off Tuesday night, rallying for an 8-3 victory against the Acadiana Cane Cutters in the 2026 season opener in Youngsville.
But for first year head coach Mike Forbes, it was a good start.
“Yeah, they gave me the game ball at the end,” Forbes said. “It was a good moment for sure. Got that out of the way.”
After spotting Acadiana three runs in the second inning, the Rougarou started their comeback with four runs in the third. They added one in the fourth and three more in the fifth while holding the Cane Cutters scoreless for the rest of the game.
The Rougarou finished with six hits off of three Acadiana pitchers and took advantage of 12 walks. The top of the lineup led the offense with leadoff batter Jack Marcantel going 3-for-4 with one RBI. Catcher Jacob Keys in the second hole went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a pair of walks. Third baseman Dylan Champagne had three RBIs. Center fielder Brock Louque walked three times.
Starting pitcher Larson Fabre and relievers Jake Clifton, Carson Robb and John Wade held Acadiana to six hits, struck out 14 and walked seven to keep the Cane Cutters scoreless after the second inning. Robb struck out six in his two innings of work.
Forbes said the team had some typical opening day jitters to work through.
“We went down three and then the very next inning, we put up four,” he said. “That showed me that putting up a three spot in one inning doesn’t matter to these guys. They knew we had a whole game left to play. We just got right back in it.”
The Rougarou and the Cane Cutters will have a rematch Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Fabacher Field.
Lori Lyons, Rougarou Writer
Photo by Cat Solenburg