KINGSVILLE, Texas – Bari Christian and
Jayme Johns were impressive in their first time back in the lineup this season. The duo combined for nine hits as the Rattlers split a doubleheader against Tabor College and Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Christian finished the day 5-for-6 at the plate with four runs scored and an RBI as the Rattlers defeated Tabor, 10-2 before falling to the Javelinas, 6-5 in the nightcap.
Jayme Johns also returned to the lineup today and provided a lot of offense for the Rattlers. The junior had four hits in seven plate appearances with two runs scored and two RBI.
Amber Gonzales collected four hits and an RBI on the day.
Game 1 Recap
The St. Mary's offense got on the board in the second inning as Christian got things started with a single to left field. With one out,
Alex Moreno got ahead and the count and took a 2-1 pitch deep over the left field wall to put the Rattlers in front, 2-0. After back-to-back singled from Gonzales and
Tiffany Licon,
Victoria Aldridge singled up the middle to score Gonzales, making it 3-0 in favor of the Rattlers.
The offense stayed hot in the third as Christian started things again, this time with a triple to right centerfield.
Rebekah Hubacek reached on a fielder's choice that was thrown away, allowing Christian to score. Gonzales singled to shortstop and later stole second to put runners at second and third with Johns coming to the plate. Johns delivered a single that scored Gonzales and Hubacek to give St. Mary's a 6-0 lead.
Tabor scored their two runs on one swing in the top of the fourth inning as Rhenna Smith belted a two-run homerun to cut the Bluejay deficit to four runs.
Abigale Carney reached on a one-out single and went first-to-third on a single from Christian. Both would score as Hubacek doubled into the left centerfield gap. Two errors from the Tabor defense allowed two more St. Mary's runners to score, ending the game by way of the 8-run rule.
Julia Cruz earned the start in the circle for the Rattlers and the senior dominated the Bluejays. Cruz tossed a complete game allowing two runs on two hits and striking out five batters.
Game 2 Recap
For the second time in two weeks, the Rattlers took on a ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville team in a non-conference contest.
St. Mary's struck first against the Javelinas when Gonzales picked up a two-out RBI single, scoring Christian who reached on a walk and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.
A leadoff homerun in the home half of the second frame evened the game at one.
The Rattlers answered with two runs in the top of the third inning as Johns singled and scored on a double from Carney. Christian singled to right field with two outs and the Javelina right fielder misplayed the ball, allowing Carney to score from second, giving St. Mary's a 3-1 lead.
Five hits in the bottom of the third resulted in three runs for the Javelinas, giving them a 4-3 advantage. Texas A&M-Kingsville added two runs in the fourth frame to extend their lead to 6-3.
St. Mary's did not go away easy. Johns laid down a bunt to get aboard with one gone in the seventh inning. With two away, Johns advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Reba Reyes reached via a walk to bring the tying run to the plate in Carney. A two-RBI double brought the Rattlers within one run and brought the go-ahead run to the plate. Christian was nearly impossible to get out the entire day, but went down swinging in her final at-bat, leaving Carney stranded at second to end the game.
The Rattlers will return to the diamond tomorrow as they take on Columbia College at 10 a.m. and Tabor at 12 p.m.
