Box Score
SAN ANTONIO — Before their first pitch in the season opener against Newman University Friday afternoon, the already decorated St. Mary's Rattlers baseball team received yet another national ranking.
The Rattlers, already ranking No. 1 in one national poll and fifth in another, added a NCBWA No. 2 national preseason rank to their expectations this season.
They then trotted out onto the field and showed why they're so highly thought of, stepping up to the hype to win their first game of the season in an 11-1 run-rule victory over the Newman Jets.
Named preseason All-Region from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, senior
Billy Richard (Schertz, Texas) picked up where he left off last season, going 4 for 4 at the plate in St. Mary's 17-hit showcase. The second of four Rattlers' named Preseason All-Region,
Rene Solis (Jr., San Antonio) pitched eight innings before the run-rule took affect, striking out six for his first win on the season.
Flexing a fresh lineup, St. Mary's (1-0, 1-0 in conference) had newcomers shortstop
Derek Hamilton (Jr., Lake Jackson, Texas) and right fielder
Adrian Garcia (Jr., El Paso, Texas) in the No. 1 and No. 2 hole. Both capitalized with two hits and two runs apiece.
First baseman
Derek Moczygemba (Sr., Bulverde, Texas) and designated hitter
Brandon Bates (Sr., Helotes, Texas) also brought in two hits, while third baseman
Ivan Sigala (Sr., El Paso, Texas) hit a trio of singles including the final hit in the eighth that closed out the game for the 11-1 run-rule.
After reigning as last season's leadoff hitter, Richard hit in the third spot, fulfilling his duty to drive in runs to pick up three RBIs off a double, three singles and a walk.
“Moving back in the lineup is a little different for me,” says Richard, who also had two runs scored Friday. “I'm seeing a lot of different pitches and they can kind of pitch around me, but I'm still looking for my pitch. The biggest thing I have to do is not chase and stay in my zone and today I got four hits out of it.”
Six Rattlers had multiple-hit outings, which along with singles from second baseman
Mario Maldonado (So., Laredo, Texas) and left fielder
Weston Heiligman (RS-So., Castroville, Texas) forced the Jets (0-1, 0-1 in conference) to rotate six pitchers throughout the game. After coming back from a national championship run, the Rattlers' start to the new season looked to establish a tone for the rest of the season.
“It's always important to start off the year with a win,” Richard said. “We came out and everyone's hitting the ball and the pitching is how it's always been. It looks like a great year for us so far and we just hope to keep it rolling.”
The Rattlers continue their three-game series against the Jets in a doubleheader Saturday at Wolff Stadium. First game is scheduled for Noon.
St. Mary's University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community service, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence. The University has six athletic national titles: men's basketball (1989–NAIA), baseball (2001–NCAA Div. II), softball (1986–NAIA and 2002–NCAA Div. II) and an individual national champion in men's golf (2006–NCAA Div. II) and a national academic championship in men's golf (2009–NCAA Div. II). St. Mary's also had more than 40 percent of its athletes named to conference, regional and/or national honor rolls this past year. St. Mary's student–athletes graduation rate is 65 percent, higher than the NCAA Division II average of 55 percent. To learn more about St. Mary's, visit www.rattlerathletics.com.
