HAMMOND, LA -- Just last season, it was a battle of the Bears at Southeastern Louisiana University as Southwest and Baton Rouge met with the previous topping the latter in a close 1-0 contest. Fast forward to 2024's game and even though it contained more runs scored, the result was similar as Southwest scored the go-ahead run late and held on, defeating Baton Rouge 11-9 Tuesday evening for the first win of the young season.
"I told our guys in the huddle that I was really proud," Southwest head coach Jack Edmonson said. "We fell behind early, battled back and had the lead for most of the game and unfortunately we let them back ahead. I talk to them all the time about running a marathon and not a sprint and told them to just stay the course. We got some big hits and we did a good job of executing. We stayed calm and stayed the course."
Among the several Bears (1-2) who stood out Tuesday, perhaps none were bigger than Gage Hinnant who shined both at the plate and later on the mound. The redshirt freshman went 4-for-4 with two triples, two runs scored and two RBIs. He also came on in the ninth and closed the door on Baton Rouge preserving the win while allowing no hits, no runs and no walks.
"First, I want to thank the good Lord for putting me here and letting me do this stuff," said Hinnant who added that he didn't do anything drastic while preparing offensively. "It was just a simple approach, try to stay as calm as I can and catch a barrel."
Southwest found itself down in the top of the first as Baton Rouge plated three runs on a single after taking advantage of two walks and an error.
Despite being down, Southwest did not panic and scratched a run across in the bottom half after Hinnant hit the first of his two triples and scored during the ensuing at bat when Tyler Otts singled to right.
Trailing 3-1, Southwest found additional success in the second. With two runners on, Gavin Bledsoe attempted a bunt which was scooped up by the pitcher who tried to make a play at third but his throw went wide allowing Cru Bella to race home. Next up, Marcus Jackson hit a sacrifice fly to left, bringing Trace Roy home, tying the game at 3. The tie was broken during the ensuing at bat when Gage Hinnant hit his second triple of the night, this time to left field, allowing Bledsoe to touch home, putting Southwest ahead for the first time at 4-3.
Southwest added a run each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, increasing the advantage to 7-3. But Baton Rouge battled back and cut the deficit in half in the seventh. A four-run eighth inning hurt Southwest as it found itself trailing once again, this time by a score of 9-7.
Not panicking one bit, Southwest answered right back with a four-run effort of its own. A two-RBI double from Otts was followed up by an RBI triple from Colson Thompson and an RBI single from Nolan Walther, all during consecutive at bats. When the dust settled, Southwest found itself up 11-9.
Hinnant came on in the ninth to preserve the win for Southwest.
In addition to Hinnant's big night offensively, Southwest also got a three-hit performance from Otts who also had one run scored and four RBIs. Bledsoe chipped in with a pair of hits and three runs scored and Jackson had two hits, one run scored and one RBI.
On the mound Dawson Richard had a good outing going 2.0 innings and striking out three while giving up no runs, no hits and no walks.
Southwest will be back in action at home on Friday with a double-header against Mineral Area CC beginning at 3 p.m. The third game of the series is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start on Saturday.
