TAKE TWENTY
SAN ANTONIO – It will be an atmosphere reminiscent of Fiesta Oyster Bake inside The Park as St. Mary's this afternoon. No. 5-ranked Rattler Softball will attempt to tie history, seeking their 19
th and 20
th consecutive wins.
Extremely fitting that this is occurring just 10 days shy of the start of Fiesta season in San Antonio. It's been a "Fiesta" throughout the season for Softball.
Stringing together a streak of double-digit wins makes for a memorable season. Stringing together two, in the same season, both of 14-plus victories, still a month away from completion of the season makes this collection of players already one for the books. In the interim, it makes this squad a force to be reckoned with come the post season.
Rattler Softball began their season winning 18 of their first 21 games, putting together a streak of 14 straight wins that began on Feb. 7. The last time they suffered a loss was on Feb. 27, to then No. 25 Angelo State, dropping the first game of a double-header 3-11. They responded moments later by hanging a 9-2 win in the very next game.
Rattler Softball has not looked back in over a month. In that time they have shot up the national rankings with a bullet. From No. 14, to No. 12, to No. 9, to No.7, St. Mary's now sits in the atop the top five. Currently, Softball boasts a .900 win percentage, their record is 36-4 (I'm not sure which way it looks more impressive written), and they have won 32 of their last 33, 12-0 vs. the Heartland Conference and winning 24 against non-conference challengers.
Staaaaacked. No Sabermetrics needed to verify that.
In the spirit of the "Heartbeat of Fiesta San Antonio", I present an item that will be available for consumption before Oyster Bake, at the booth of Rattler Softball in the Softball Stadium, starting out at the record price of 18 coupons (price subject to rise): Streak on a Stick.
The streak has been as historic as arguably the gem and star of
Oyster Bake, "Chicken on a Stick".
Softball's 18-game winning streak is the longest for head coach
Donna Fields. She has managed two squads that won 17 in a row, in 2003 and 2005, earning regional championships both seasons. The program's record is 20 straight victories in 1994, coached by now head Men's Basketball coach,
Jim Zeleznak.
The 14 and 18 game streaks have brought the meat like "Steak on a Stick" and "Sausage on a Stick" and Turkey Legs.
The 14-game win streak that proceeded this current one featured victories over then No. 17 Angelo State, No. 14 Texas Women's, No. 10 Southeastern Oklahoma State and No. 1 Central Oklahoma, en route to winning 18 of 21.
The 18-game stride Softball is currently on has featured a thrashing of conference opponents, posting an 11-0 mark against OPSU, Rogers State and UTPB. They thrashed No. 18 Texas Women's in two straight matchups, including an 8-0 blanking in the series' finale.
The Rattlers thrashed (quote, unquote) the Division I UIW Cardinals, sweeping a two game non-conference matchup, 3-0 and 1-0.
Rattler Softball has been virtually untouchable. In the last 18 games, the squad has only yielded 19 runs. Bear in mind, TWU scored seven runs in one game and Rattler Softball has rendered their opponents scoreless though half of the current streak, producing nine shutouts.
The streak has been as sweet as "Cheesecake on a Stick".
Rattler Softball has been rewarded as a team, earning a No. 5 national rank. Individually, they have amassed six Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Week awards, five for
Emily Brittain (Sr., Corpus Christi, Texas) and one for
Vianna Gutierrez (Jr., San Antonio), the latter has a no-hitter during the streak.
How about a beverage to drink it down? According to research compiled by the Rattler Athletics Guru
Chad Peters, the 2002 National Champion Rattlers also went streaking – winning 13 straight in that banner campaign. Earlier we recalled the streaking squads of 2003 and 2005, they went on to the World Series.
"Only time will tell." For now, let's Fiesta, Rattler Softball.
DT for 3!
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This column was an entire "We So Staaaaacked" segment, but the staaaaaked don't stop. Rattler Tennis' Mariana Rong earned her fifth Heartland Conference Player of the Week award this season, after coming back from injury. It's Rong's 11th career time receiving the award. Staaaaacked with a racket.
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Baseball has begun their own ride on the "Rattler Coaster". Since winning five straight to begin the month of March, Rattler Baseball has split their last 12 games down the middle, going 6-6. They are No. 13 in the country with still plenty of time to tune up against conference rivals and solidify their regional ranking.
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Spring Fútbol! Men's Soccer won their first training matchup under new head coach Mike Bonelli, "goleando" SA United 5-0 on Sigma Beta Chi Field. They'll host OLLU on Saturday in the club's second friendly at 7:30 p.m. Live broadcast of the game brought to you by the Rattler Network will be available.
And 1! (Yes, a four-point play!)
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I can write an ode to the ambrosial delicacy that is Chicken on a Stick. It is No.1 in my Oyster Bake Food rankings. Rounding out me and the top five: Steak on a Stick, Funnel Cake, Tornado Potatoes and anything else fried. Fried anything is delicious.
"
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
To Bristol with love, thank you for reading.
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