BRYAN, Texas —
The Brazos Valley Bombers demonstrated their consistency with yet another mid-game offensive surge to lift them over the embattled Baton Rouge Rougarou. The Bombers took the second game of their home stand 10-4.
Christian Vega opened the game on the mound for Brazos Valley. The freshman out of University of Incarnate Word tossed three strikeouts, walked three and allowed six hits across three innings. Vega struck two batters, and the Rougarou were able to push one across in the first and three in the third inning against Vega.
Brian Williams relieved Vega in the fifth, striking out three, walking one and allowing two hits and no runs in four innings. Williams hit a single batter. Dontae Woodard struck out one batter in the eighth and another in the ninth to round out the Bombers resounding victory.
“I’m feeling really good, glad my coaches gave me a chance to show myself out there,” said Williams. “I trusted my defense to make plays for me and my offense to give me runs. I’m just thankful for the win tonight.”
The Bombers were tied 4-4 entering the bottom of the sixth inning. Tyler Smith rocketed one to the outfield to drive in Sam McElreath, and Head Coach Brian Nelson waved Smith all the way around for a Bombers inside-the-park home run. Smith said the call to bring the four-bagger in surprised him.
“I’m not going to lie, I was gassed. I was not expecting it,” said Smith. “I thought I was just going to stand up on three, but he sent me, and I trusted him and it all worked out.”
Smith went 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI on the night in addition to his two-RBI home run.
Bryant Shellenbarger took Gullaume Beaudry yard on the very next at-bat, giving the Bombers a three-run lead in the bottom of the sixth. Shellenbarger had expressed some frustration with his hitting coming into the matchup but found his groove at the plate tonight.
“I’m glad I found it,” said Shellenbarger. “After a long couple games of just not really seeing the ball, adjusting was probably the biggest thing that I had to overcome, and I overcame it tonight.”
Shellenbarger also recorded a double and an RBI triple on the night.
With his third single of the day, Cole Coker drove in Logan Sartori and piled on to the Bombers lead in the seventh.
The Bombers continue their undefeated streak and improve to 6-0.
“Anytime you can go 6 and 0, it’s a good feeling,” said Assistant Coach Chase Sanford.
The Bombers will play host to the Acadiana Cane Cutters Thursday.
