TYLER, Texas - The St. Mary's Softball team dropped a pair of games to No. 4 UT Tyler on Tuesday afternoon. In the first game of the day, the Rattlers fell 2-1 before falling in game two, 3-0.
Game One Recap
Julia Cruz got the start in the circle for the Rattlers and the graduate produced one of the best starts of the season. Cruz had a no-hitter going against the Patriots through four inning before giving up a pair of hits and runs in the fifth inning. Cruz retired 12 of the first 13 Patriot batters she faced.
The St. Mary's offense scattered seven hits and scored their only run of the game in the fifth inning when
Cassidy Brawley reached on a one-out single. After a sacrifice bunt from
Jayme Johns,
Victoria Aldridge drew a walk to put runners at first and second with one out.
Bari Christian singled up the middle to score Brawley and Aldridge was thrown out trying to go first-to-third on the hit.
The 1-0 St. Mary's lead did not last long as UT Tyler manufactured two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the lead.
Abigale Carney and
Tiffany Licon each singled to begin the sixth frame. A sacrifice bunt from
Alex Moreno put two Rattlers in scoring position, with the go-ahead run at second base.
Amber Gonzales lifted a fly ball to right field and what looked to be the game-tying run in Carney, was called out on an appeal for leaving early.
St. Mary's got the tying run aboard in their final at-bat when
Reba Reyes singled and stole second. A strikeout and a groundout ended the game.
Game Two Recap
Three one-run innings by the Patriots was the difference in game two as the St. Mary's offense could not push any runs across the plate.
St. Mary's got runners on base in each of the first three innings. In the third, Johns and Christias, two of the Rattlers' biggest threats on the bases were aboard with two outs but could not get the timely hit they needed to get on the board.
The Rattlers would not get a baserunner past first base for the remainder of the contest en route to a 3-0 loss.
Aldridge finished game two with two hits in two plate appearances.
Alex McLennan was flawless once again in relief as the senior tossed two shutout innings, allowing no hits.
The Rattlers will return home this weekend as they take on Lubbock Christian on Friday and Angelo State on Sunday.
