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Box Score 2
SAN ANTONIO — Easing quickly into a power-hitting role in the Rattlers' offense, junior transfer
Drake Roberts hit a big one Saturday.
With the bases loaded and Rattler Baseball down two runs in their final at-bat in Game One against Metro State, Roberts connected strong for a walk-off, two RBI-single to win it at Dickson Stadium.
No. 15 St. Mary's won the exciting Game One 6-5 in extra innings, going on the split the day after untimely errors caused a 4-0 loss in Game Two to end the four-game series with the Roadrunners 3-1.
Roberts (Brenham, Texas) was solid even before smacking the walk-off, going 2-3 in Game One with a team-high three RBIs and one run scored.
"I knew it was a big opportunity, I was excited for it and trying to stay calm at the same time," said Roberts of his walk-off at-bat. "I was just looking for a ball down to hit and get it in the infield.
Roberts, who currently leads the Rattlers in hitting at .419, was the only Rattler to record a multiple-hit day in Game One.
Nathan Humpal (Sr., Corpus Christi, Texas) tossed seven innings with four runs, three of which were earned, before
Rick Villa (RS-Sr., San Antonio) stepped on the hill in the extra eighth inning to pick up the win.
Game Two was a chess match compared to the thrilling game before, remaining scoreless until the seventh inning.
Greg Dobb (RS-So., Keller, Texas) pitched six scoreless innings in a quality start but picked up the loss to drop to 1-1 on the season.
Coming in from second base,
Mario Maldonado (Jr., Laredo, Texas) pitched the final inning of the game, allowing three runs with one earned run.
Two singles and a duo of errors loaded the bases for the Roadrunners (1-3), which they were able to turn in for four runs for the win.
The Rattlers bid for another comeback but left two men stranded at their last at-bat in their first loss at Dickson stadium.
"They gave us opportunities to get easy outs and we didn't capitalize on it," said Roberts of the Rattlers' unraveling in the final inning. "And it ended up hurting us in the end."
St. Mary's tallied six hits in each game of Saturday's doubleheader, improving to 8-2 overall with the split.
The Rattlers travel to play Houston-Victoria at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Houston in their next matchup.
