Box Score
SAN ANTONIO —
Adrian Garcia saved the Rattlers once more in his dual role as centerfielder/pitcher in the win over Houston-Victoria Tuesday night, picking up the save and recording the winning hit in the 5-4 victory.
Rattler Baseball notched a needed pick-me-up win at Dickson Stadium Tuesday against the Jaguars after splitting their last six games and before heading into a heated Heartland Conference series this weekend against the No. 14 team in the nation, Lubbock Christian.
"It's a definite confidence booster," said Garcia after the win. "We've been on and off. It's great to start the week with a win and try to keep the streak going throughout the weekend."
No. 9 St. Mary's Baseball shook off a shaky start that had the Jaguars (12-21) put up three in their first at-bat, tying it by the third, 3-3.
The Jaguars put up another run in the eighth to lead it by one, which the Rattlers erased in their very next at-bat.
Nathan Humpal (Sr., Corpus Christi, Texas) started off the bottom of the eighth with a single, who was then pinch ran by
Kenny Corona (Fr., Katy, Texas), followed by
Joe Hermsen (Jr., Overland Park, Kan.) drawing a free base off a hit by pitch.
Al Gonzalez (RS-So., Pasedena, Texas) bunted them over to put Corona 90 feet from home, which he reached after a
Keith Funk (RS-So., San Antonio) grounder to tie it, 4-4.
Garcia, who had yet to record a hit on the day, slammed the game-winning double to center that brought in Hermsen for the winning run.
With the Jaguars still being able to contest their deficit in the top of the ninth, Garcia was called in from center with two outs and the winning run at the plate to close out the game.
He succeeded, picking up his fourth save on the season.
Three arms tossed before Garcia closed it out, including starting pitcher
Greg Dobb (RS-So., Keller, Texas) who went a solid 6 2/3 innings,
Ty Miles (Fr., Seguin, Texas) who went 1 1/3 innings and
Oscar Sepulveda (Fr., San Antonio) who tossed 2/3 innings.
Miles was credited for the victory, notching his first collegiate win on the mound.
The Rattlers smacked nine hits in the win, including three doubles with
Brooks Orton (Jr., College Station, Texas) and Funk both recording two hits apiece and Garcia recording a team-high two RBI.
Orton also added two more stolen bases Tuesday to add to his season total, now at 20.
"We've definitely improved a lot," said Garcia of the Rattlers' play the past few games. "Hopefully we can take that to Lubbock and get the wins over there."
Tuesday's win improved the Rattlers to 22-8 on the season.
The Rattlers take on provisional conference member Lubbock Christian in a three-game series this weekend starting with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Friday in Lubbock, Texas at Hays Field.
