Runs At A Premium For Softball Against #19 Javelinas

KINGSVILLE, Texas – Hits were tough to come by for the St. Mary's Softball team against No. 19 Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sunday as they managed just seven in a pair of games, losing 13-1 and 5-1.

The Rattlers are now 5-9 on the season and 1-3 in Lone Star Conference action, while the Javelinas move to 9-1 overall and 4-0 in Lone Star play.

Both freshman Reba Reyes (Brownsville, Texas) and senior Amber Gonzales (Austin, Texas) collected a pair of hits in the second contest, while junior Jayme Johns (Elgin, Texas) recorded the only hit in the opener.

The Rattlers host Midwestern State for a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. and Texas Woman's for a pair on Sunday, slated for 1 p.m.

GAME ONE RECAP
The first game started well for the Rattlers, as Johns led off the contest with a single down the left field line. She moved to second on a groundout by junior Bari Christian (San Antonio) and scored on a fielding error by the third baseman off the bat of senior Abigale Carney (El Paso, Texas) for the 1-0 lead. However, the Johns hit would end up being the only base knock of the contest.

She also drew a walk in the third frame, but was the only other base runner of the game. The Javelinas scored three in the first, one in the third and nine in the fourth for the 13-1 victory.

Freshman Sara Robertson (Lorena, Texas) was credited with the loss and she moves to 1-2 on the season. She pitched three innings, allowing eight earned runs on eight hits with two walks and one strikeout. Senior Julia Cruz (Asherton, Texas) and sophomore Isabella Saldivar (San Antonio) also were in the circle for the Rattlers.

GAME TWO RECAP
Texas A&M Kingsville jumped out early in the nightcap, scoring two in the first and three in the fourth before the Rattlers plated one in the sixth.

Sophomore Reina Herrera (San Antonio) walked to lead things off and sophomore Katerina McLennan (Austin) entered to run. Junior Tiffany Licon (Austin) hit a ball to the short stop, who elected to go the short way to second, but McLennan was safe. With one out, Gonzales doubled down the right field line, plating McLennan for the 5-1 tally.
The Javelinas scored four in the bottom of the sixth for the 9-1 victory and the doubleheader sweep.

Senior Alex McLennan (Austin) fell to 2-3 on the year after giving up five earned runs on 11 hits through five innings. She walked a pair and Saldivar threw the final 2/3 of an inning, surrendering two runs on two hits.