By Lori Lyons, Rougarou Writer
They say things are bigger in Texas. The Baton Rouge Rougarou’s offense certainly was.
The Rougarou pounded 15 hits, three for extra bases — including the team’s first home run of the season — on the way to a 10-2 victory over the Brazos Valley Bombers. The Rougarou (3-1) scored in every inning except the third and eighth and still left 13 runners stranded.
Will Safford got it all started with a solo home run to lead off the game. He finished the night with two runs scored, two RBIs and a pair of walks. T.J. Grines went 3-for-6 on the night with a double and two RBIs. Josh Shelly went 2-for-5 with a triple, one RBI and two runs scored. Banks Byers went 4-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored. Austin O’Malley went 3-for-4. Jackson Walker went 2-for-3 and scored a run.
Three Rougarou pitchers held the Bombers to nine hits, only one for extra bases, walked two and struck out seven. Hunter Ponson got the start and pitched four innings, giving up five hits and both Bomber runs in the bottom of the first inning. He walked two and struck out three. Jack Hill, who took over in the fifth inning, got the win, pitching two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. Collier Barham closed, pitching three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out three.
“We had competitive at-bats all night and put hits together,” Rougarou coach Jeff “Rooster” Southall said. “Safford leading off with the homer on a 3-1 pitch set the tone for the game and our offense. The pitching was very good. Ponson gave up two in the bottom of the first and then settled in nicely through five. Hill was very efficient for two before turning it over to Barham. Barham was excellent in his debut and showed signs of pitchability. Overall, it was a good road win for our first trip.”
The Rougarou travel to Victoria, Texas to take on the Generals Sunday night and again Monday night at 7:05.