By Lori Lyons, Rougarou Writer
The Baton Rouge Rougarou took an early lead, but needed two runs in the top of the 10th inning to break a 3-3 tie and topple the Victoria Generals 5-3 Friday night at Riverside Stadium in Victoria.
With Mozell Little III on second base by the international tie-breaker rule, Will Safford singled then Jason Hawkins doubled to drive in both runs and give the Rougarou the lead.
Connor Spencer then retired the Generals in order to get the win and end Victoria’s four-game win streak and put the Rougarou back in first place in the Texas Collegiate League.
The Rougarou got only six hits off of four Victoria pitchers, three of those from Hawkins. Shelly’s third inning double drove in three runs. Brady McGee hit a triple.
With a few days’ rest, the Rougarou pitchers were in good form, allowing only eight hits, walking two and striking out nine. Tanner Roberts got the start and gave up one run on four hits in four innings. Gavin Green threw three innings, giving up two runs on four hits, walking none and striking out five. Cowan Alfonso threw the eighth inning, retiring the side in order. And Spencer closed.
“We pitched well,” said Rougarou coach Jeff “Rooster” Southall. “After two days off I was confident the pitching would be rested and ready to go. Two days off for hitters, although much needed from a physical standpoint, it’s tough to keep timing without hitting every day.”
The Rougarou took a 3-0 lead in the third inning when Hawkins singled. Safford walked and Derrald Moore Jr. was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Shelly drove in all three with a double to right field, but was put out trying to stretch to a triple.
The Generals scored one in the fourth and to in the fifth to tie the game at 3.
The Rougarou travel to Seguin to play the River Monsters Saturday at 7 p.m. They will be back home Sunday to play the Brazos Valley Bombers.