CANYON, Texas – The St. Mary's Softball team earned a split against No. 10 West Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon. The Rattlers and Lady Buffs had a pair of one-run games on Sunday with West Texas A&M taking the first game, 3-2 and St. Mary's winning the series finale, 6-5.
The Rattlers record moves to 11-13 with the split and the Lady Buffs move to 21-7 overall on the season.
Game One Recap
The Rattlers took the early 1-0 lead in the top half of the first when leadoff hitter
Jayme Johns reached on a single and later moved to third on a single by
Bari Christian. With runners at first and second, a passed ball from the Lady Buffs allowed Johns to score.
The Lady Buffs pulled even in the bottom of the third after a two-out double brought home a run.
Abigale Carney put the Rattlers in front on the top of the fourth with her fifth home run of the season.
West Texas A&M scored a run in the fourth and fifth to take a 3-2 lead. The Rattlers final six hitter were retired in order, allowing the Lady Buffs to hang on to a 3-2 victory.
Game Two Recap
With two outs, Christian got things going with an infield single and a stolen base. Carney blasted her second home run of the day, giving the Rattlers a 2-0 lead.
A single and a triple by the Lady Buffs in the home half of the first cut the West Texas A&M deficit to 2-1 after one complete.
Tiffany Licon led off the second inning with a single up the middle.
Amber Gonzales reached on an error by the Lady Buff third baseman, putting Rattlers at first and second with nobody out. Both Licon and Gonzales moved up on a sacrifice bunt from
Alyssa Flores. With two outs, Johns delivered a two-out single through the right side to score Licon and Gonzalez, giving St. Mary's a 4-1 advantage.
A solo blast from the Lady Buffs cut the St. Mary's lead to two runs after three complete innings.
Johns and Christian got things going at the top of the order for the Rattlers in the seventh inning as both reached on singles. With two outs and runners at second and third,
Reba Reyes picked up two RBI as she doubled to score Johns and Christian, extending the St. Mary's lead to 6-2.
The Lady Buffs did not go away quietly, scoring three runs on four hits in their last at-bat.
Isabella Saldivar came out of the bullpen to get the final out of the game.
Julia Cruz earned the win, tossing 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out three batters.
Christian collected three hits in four plate appearances, scoring two runs. Carney and Reyes each drove in two runs.
The Rattlers will return to action on Friday as they travel to Austin to take on St. Edward's.
