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Charlie Migl
Antonio Morano Photography
Head coach Charlie Migl is set for the Rattlers' fifth regional berth in six seasons. (File Photo)

Baseball RattlerAthletics.com

Tournament Preview: Rattler Baseball set for NCAA Regional

By Robin Johnson | St. Mary's Athletics Communications

South Central Region Tournament Central Page

SAN ANTONIO — The backdrop may be beautiful in the mountains of Grand Junction, Colo., but the Snakes are ready to muddy up the hopes of tournament host Colorado Mesa.
 
No. 21 St. Mary's Baseball will look to pull an upset over the No. 3 team in the nation Colorado Mesa in final game of the opening round at 8 p.m. Thursday in Grand Junction, Colo. at Sam Suplizio Field.
 
This season marks the Mavericks' second straight year hosting the South Central Region Tournament as the No. 1 seed. Last season, CMU claimed the South Central Region title and advanced to the College World Series, falling in the National Championship game in 12 innings to national title winner University of Southern Indiana, 3-2. 
Sam Suplizio Field
Sam Suplizio Field

 
The Rattlers return to the regional tournament after a one-year absence, receiving an at-large bid after claiming a share of the Heartland Conference regular-season title and advancing to the championship bracket in the conference postseason tournament. The Rattlers' bid marks the fifth time in six seasons the program has advanced to the regional tournament.
 
AT A GLANCE
vs. COLORADO MESA
NCAA Division II South Central Regional
Where: Colorado Mesa's Sam Suplizio Field
When: 8 p.m. (CDT), Thurs., May 14, 2015
Series History: The match between the Rattlers and the Mavericks will be the second time these two teams have faced off in their histories. In their one previous matchup, Colorado Mesa defeated St. Mary's in the opening round of the 2013 South Central Region Tournament, 6-2.
 
HOT STREAK
St. Mary's Baseball enjoyed a hot winning streak this season, logging a 17-game winning streak that started against Tarleton State on Feb. 14 and ended in a loss to Texas-Permian Basin on March 27. The 17 straight victories is the most the program has seen since the 2011 season.
The Rattlers also had a knack for extra baseball this season, recording three extra-inning games including a 13-inning victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville 9-8, an 11-inning victory over St. Edward's 1-0, and a 10-inning loss to St. Edward's in the Heartland Conference Championship finals, 3-2.
 
NATIONAL PRESENCE
The St. Mary's Rattlers have been nationally ranked throughout the majority of the season with its highest rank at No. 8 in the NCBWA National Poll. The Ratters enter the South Central Region Tournament ranked No. 21 in the nation.
 
OPPORTUNE TIMING
This season's South Central Region Tournament is particularly special for seniors Matt McClain and Mario Maldonado as both were active players on the 2012 squad that claimed the South Central Regional title and advanced to the College World Series for the second time in program history. Ace McClain is primed as ever for his final postseason, coming in as the Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Year, an NCBWA and Daktronics All-Region First Team selection and as a semifinalist for the D2 Baseball News Brett Tomko D-II Pitcher of the Year award. For Maldonado, the four-year primary second baseman enters the tournament as the program's all-time assists leader, setting the new program record this season. Maldonado got hot in the postseason, earning an All-Tournament Team selection.
 
COMEBACK AND BREAKOUT
This season, the Rattlers heavily benefited from the return of shortstop Derek Hamilton who missed 97 games over the past two seasons due to injury. Upon his return, Hamilton's prowess has earned him All-Conference First Team and NCBWA All-Region Honorable Mention selections as well as an All-Tournament Team selection. StMU has also enjoyed the break out of freshman Bryce Brandl who received an All-Conference Second Team selection whose heavy bat saw him tie the team lead in home runs with five.
 
STACKED STAFF
The Rattlers' all-senior, all-lefty starting squad on the mound has dominated this season as the staff led the Heartland Conference in team ERA, with all three being selected All-Conference. Aces McClain and Cody Butler were selected All-Conference First Team and both saw All-Region selections while Kris Gardner was selected All-Conference Second Team. Both Butler and Gardner shared the conference lead in victories with 11, which is currently No. 2 in the nation while McClain is No. 19 in the nation in ERA at 1.76. 

Fans can follow all the NCAA Reigonal Tournament action on the Mavericks' Tournament Central Page. 

 
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Players Mentioned

Derek Hamilton

#3 Derek Hamilton

SS
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
R/R
Mario Maldonado

#21 Mario Maldonado

RHP/2B
6' 0"
Senior
R/R
Matt McClain

#24 Matt McClain

LHP
6' 0"
Senior
L/L
Cody Butler

#13 Cody Butler

LHP
6' 4"
Senior
L/L
Bryce Brandl

#18 Bryce Brandl

LHP/OF
6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
L/L
Kris Gardner

#19 Kris Gardner

LHP
6' 4"
Senior
L/L

Players Mentioned

Derek Hamilton

#3 Derek Hamilton

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
R/R
SS
Mario Maldonado

#21 Mario Maldonado

6' 0"
Senior
R/R
RHP/2B
Matt McClain

#24 Matt McClain

6' 0"
Senior
L/L
LHP
Cody Butler

#13 Cody Butler

6' 4"
Senior
L/L
LHP
Bryce Brandl

#18 Bryce Brandl

6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
L/L
LHP/OF
Kris Gardner

#19 Kris Gardner

6' 4"
Senior
L/L
LHP

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