Softball Heads to Conroe for Winter Invitational

First Pitch

•    The 41st season of St. Mary's softball begins on Saturday at the annual Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational in Conroe, Texas.
•    Both RF Abigale Carney and 1B Amber Gonzales have chosen to return in 2022 for their "Covid Year." 
•    Senior CF Bari Christian moved into ninth on the St. Mary's career stolen base percentage list at .897 (35-for-39), passing Hannah Michel (.895, 2015-18). Christian was a perfect 17-for-17 in swiped bags in 2021. She also is tied for 10th with 10 triples
•    Senior RF Abigale Carney enters her fifth season tied for seventh in St. Mary's history with 26 home runs. The record is 44 held by Roni Garcia (2002-2005). She is also knotted for 9th with eight sacrifice flies. 
•    Fellow senior 2B Jayme Johns begins 2022 ranked sixth in school history in on-base percentage (.467) and hit by pitch (16).
•    During the NFCA Annual Convention, head coach Donna Fields was inducted into the Coaches Hall of Fame.
•    Three of the five opponents for the Rattlers at the Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational are either ranked or receiving votes in the NFCA Preseason Poll. 
•    The Rattlers renew the rivalry with Rogers State on Sunday. The two teams were both members of the now defunct Heartland Conference. StMU went to the Lone Star Conference, while the Hillcats joined the MIAA.
•    St. Mary's is 12-1 all-time in games played on February 5, including winning the last 11 since 2005. The Rattlers are also 15-7 in season openers since moving to the Division II ranks in 2000.
•    Both Victoria Aldridge and Jayme Johns had streaks of 18 or more games of reaching base safely in 2021. Aldridge did so in 18 straight, while Johns streak reached 20.