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Box Score 2 CANYON, Texas — As
Emily Brittain's named was called to receive her medal for the NCAA Division-II South Central Super Regional, she was greeted with loud and whooping cheers from both Rattler fans and opposing fans of West Texas A&M in respect of her play throughout the tournament.
Eyeing their first trip to the national stage since 2005, the Rattlers fell to No. 1 West Texas A&M 6-0 and 10-0 in Games 2 and 3 of the Super Regional at Schaeffer Park Saturday.
St. Mary's, the tournament's No. 3 seed, entered the day needing just one more victory to advance to the national tournament after upsetting top-seeded West Texas A&M 4-3 on Friday. But the Buffs had other thoughts.
WTAMU struck for two runs in the second inning of Game 1 and tacked on another in the third, and effectively put the game away with a three-run seventh inning that put the Buffs up 6-0.
Game 2 was much the same, as West Texas A&M built a 4-0 lead over the first two innings before adding four more in the third to lead 8-0 en route to winning by run-rule in five innings.
Brittain was highlighted in the tournament as she challenged the No. 1 Lady Buffs (56-7), tossing 16 innings over the three games.
"Everyone was saying that about the crowd," said Brittain of the heartfelt kudos she was given during the trophy ceremony and after the game. "But I was still emotional during that time (to hear). It means a lot for all these fans to come up and tell me I have a lot of heart.
"That's what I want to leave on the field"
Four-year ace Brittain ended a spectacular career Saturday, ending her senior campaign No. 1 in the nation in shutouts with 15, which also tied her for second in the program's single-season record, and was among the nation's leaders in wins with a 31-7 record.
Brittain etched her way into becoming one of the program's best arms throughout her career, taking home numerous honors including being named an All-American as a junior, and being named Daktronics All-Region First Team this season in route to leading the Rattlers to their fourth straight Heartland Conference title.
Brittain's senior season helped move her into several top spots in the program's career records including ending No. 3 in career shutouts (31), No. 2 in career wins (95), No. 2 in games started (119), No. 2 in appearances (147) and No. 5 in career complete games (74).
"I couldn't ask for a better group of girls to end my season with," said Brittain who finished the season with a 2.18 ERA. "This team, all four years we've shown heart and we've been dedicated to the program. It's good to leave a legacy like this."
The 2014 Rattlers put up one of the program's better seasons in a memorable postseason run that had them one win away from advancing to the College World Series for the fifth time in program history.
The Rattlers posted a 50-14 overall record in the program's first 50 plus win season since 2008 and only fourth 50 plus win season in program history.
The 2014 season saw the Rattlers win 32 of 33 games, riding on an 18-game winning streak to mark the longest win streak in head coach
Donna Fields' career.
Just one win shy of their ultimate goal, the 2014 Rattlers have made a lasting impact on the program and will be one to emulate.
