River Monsters Roar Back Home and Sweep the Rougarou

photo by Victoria Lawson

SAN ANTONIO — After 10 long days on the road, the San Antonio River Monsters finally returned home to Sullivan Field—and they made sure the home crowd had plenty to celebrate.

With the playoff race tightening and every game carrying added pressure, the River Monsters stepped onto their home field knowing exactly what was at stake. Four games remained in the regular season, and San Antonio needed to make every opportunity count.

They answered the challenge in a big way.

The River Monsters came out swinging, delivering two explosive victories over the Baton Rouge Rougarou and completing a crucial series sweep that kept their postseason hopes alive.

San Antonio entered Thursday night’s matchup with a 12-7 record and wasted little time setting the tone.

The River Monsters broke through in the second inning after right fielder Hunter Ham was hit by a pitch, bringing home the first run of the night. From there, the offense came alive.

In the third inning, center fielder Eric Bacon drove in a run with a single before Ham stepped to the plate and delivered one of the biggest swings of the evening—a two-run home run that sent energy through Sullivan Field and pushed the lead to 4-0.

Baton Rouge responded with two runs in the fourth, but San Antonio refused to let the momentum slip away.

The River Monsters loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning and immediately answered with two more runs of their own. Every time the Rougarou tried to fight their way back into the game, San Antonio had a response.

Baton Rouge added another run in the seventh, cutting the lead to 6-3, but second baseman Jake Pineda helped put the game away in the eighth. Pineda lined a two-run single into center field, giving the River Monsters an 8-3 advantage and all the breathing room they needed.

From there, San Antonio slammed the door and secured the first victory of its critical homestand.

Wyatt Wilkinson was strong on the mound, allowing only two runs across six innings while striking out five. Ham provided the offensive spark with his two-run blast and helped set the tone for what would become a huge two-night stretch.

One win was important.

Two wins would mean a sweep.

The River Monsters returned Friday night with one mission: finish the job.

Baton Rouge struck first and grabbed an early 1-0 lead, but that advantage did not last long.

San Antonio erupted in the second inning, exploding for seven runs and completely turning the game upside down. Sullivan Field came alive as hit after hit pushed the River Monsters to a commanding 7-1 lead.

The Rougarou refused to fold, scoring two runs in both the third and fourth innings to pull within two.

Then Sammy Morales delivered.

With the pressure building and Baton Rouge gaining momentum, Morales stepped to the plate and ripped a bases-clearing triple into left field. Three runs raced home, the River Monsters dugout erupted, and San Antonio once again had control.

Baton Rouge continued to battle, adding two more runs in the fifth, but the River Monsters had an answer every time.

Bacon drove in another run with a single to right field, extending the lead to 12-7. Ham and Morales later added two more insurance runs in the eighth, sealing a 14-7 victory and completing the sweep.

Morales was unstoppable at the plate, finishing the night with five RBI on two hits. His timely hitting proved to be the difference when San Antonio needed it most.

Bruno Robles also delivered a strong effort on the mound, recording five strikeouts and helping the River Monsters finish off the Rougarou.

Two nights. Twenty-two runs. Two victories.

More importantly, the River Monsters protected their home field and gave themselves exactly what they needed heading into the final series of the regular season: momentum, confidence and belief.

With the playoffs still within reach, San Antonio now turns its attention to the Victoria Generals on July 25 and 26.

The mission is clear.

The River Monsters are still fighting, still believing and still roaring toward the postseason.

By Zach Dworaczyk