SAN ANTONIO – After having the original games postponed on Friday due to rain and field conditions, the St. Mary's Softball team earned a split against Lubbock Christian on Saturday afternoon. The Rattlers claimed game one with a 4-1 victory before falling to the Lady Chaps, 3-2 in game two.
Game One Recap
The Rattlers struck in the bottom half of the second inning, scoring four runs on four hits and two Lubbock Christian errors.
With one out,
Amber Gonzales singles and
Reba Reyes doubled to put runners at second and third.
Ericka Gomez came on to pinch hit and delivered a two-RBI single up the middle to score Gonzales and Reyes, giving St. Mary's an early 2-0 lead.
With Gomez aboard and one out,
Jayme Johns reached on a fielder error.
Victoria Aldridge came to the plate with two runners on and laid down a perfect bunt. The LCU defense fielded the ball and threw it into right field, allowing Gomez and Johns to score, giving the Rattlers a 4-0 advantage.
A St. Mary's error in the fourth inning allowed the Lady Chaps to plate a run, making it 4-1.
Lubbock Christian added another in the seventh inning but
Alex McLennan came on to shut the door, earning her third save of the year. The save moves McLennan into second all-time with eight, just one shy of the school record of nine set by Ashley Mills in the 2017 season.
Julia Cruz had another effective outing as the senior tossed six innings, allowing two runs on five hits, earning her fifth win of the season.
Aldridge paced the offense with two hits while Gomez led the way with two RBI.
Game Two Recap
Errors were the difference in game two as the Rattlers committed six errors en route to a 3-2 loss to the Lady Chaps.
St. Mary's plated a run in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead.
Bari Christian ran the count full before walking and stealing second. Christian advanced to third on a Lady Chap error that allowed
Alex Moreno to reach as well. Moreno gave way to pinch runner,
Katerina McLennan. McLennan stole second to put Rattlers at second and third with nobody out.
Reba Reyes reached on a fielder's choice that saw Christian forced out at home. Reyes and McLennan each moved up a base on the play. With McLennan on third and Reyes on second, a wild pitch from the LCU pitcher allowed McLennan to score, putting St. Mary's in front 2-0.
St. Mary's starter
Sara Robertson gave up three straight hits and a run in the top of sixth. A pitching change brought
Alex McLennan back for her chance to earn her record-tying ninth save. McLennan recorded three straight outs but not before the Lady Chaps evened the game at two.
St. Mary's made three errors in the top of the final frame that allowed Lubbock Christian to plate a run and take a 3-2 lead.
Johns was hit by a pitch that grazed her face to start the seventh.
Rebekah Hubacek came on to pinch run after Johns left the game. Aldridge laid down a sacrifice to move Hubacek, the game-tying run into scoring position.
Tiffany Licon grounded out, moving Hubacek to third base with two outs.
Abigale Carney roped a line drive down the first base line that was snagged by the Lady Chaps first baseman to end the game.
Johns finished with two hits in the loss.
St. Mary's will welcome the Angelo State Rambelles to The Park at St. Mary's tomorrow. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 1:00 p.m.
