Crooked Innings Lead to Friday Split at UAFS

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Each team had a big inning during one game of the doubleheader, leading to a split between the St. Mary's and UAFS Baseball teams on Friday afternoon.
 
The Rattlers (21-27, 19-27 Lone Star Conference) used a nine run fourth inning to win game one, 11-7, while the Lions (16-26) scored four in the sixth inning of the nightcap to win 7-1. 
 
The nine-run fourth inning for the Rattlers in game one ties the most scored in a single frame this season as they tallied nine in the third at St. Edward's on March 19.
 
The 'Jakes,' senior Jakes Mares (Fort Worth, Texas) and sophomore Jacob Elizondo (San Antonio) were the only two in the lineup to get hits in both games as the Rattlers scored one run on three hits in the second games. Mares was 3-for-6 on the day with three runs scored, an RBI, a stolen base and three walks, while Elizondo was 3-for-9 with four RBI a double and a run scored.
 
The game for Saturday has been slated for a 4 p.m. start as the two clubs try to work around impending weather in the Fort Smith area. The regular season finale for both teams is set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
 
GAME ONE RECAP
Sophomore Andrew Girod (San Antonio) pitched a gem in relief of starter Steven Medrano (El Paso, Texas). Girod entered the game with two outs in the second inning and allowed only three hits the remaining 5.1 frames. He walked one and struck out four to improve to 2-2 on the year, needing only 64 pitches to help lift the Rattlers to the win.
 
All nine spots in the batting order reached base at least once and four different Rattlers had two-hit days as Mares, Elizondo, sophomore Devin Goins (San Antonio) and freshman Tyler Pauly (Fisher, Texas) each had a pair. Elizondo also paced the team with three RBIs and both Mares and senior Ryan McGowen (San Antonio) walked twice and had a stolen base each.
 
Mares worked a leadoff walk and he stole second base for his 20th steal of the season in the top of the first. With one out, junior Clay Bradford (Atoscocita, Texas) doubled over the centerfielder's head to plate Mares and give the Rattlers a 1-0 lead.
 
The Lions took advantage of a walk, a hit batter and a wild pitch, scoring three runs on two hits in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 advantage. In the bottom of the second, UAFS added four runs on one hit with two walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch to stretch the lead to 7-1.
 
After McGowen walked to begin the third, Mares hit a high chopper through the left side of the infield. Elizondo singled to left field to plate McGowen to make the score 7-2.
 
Girod retired the side in order in the third and got his offense right back to work. Goins took the first pitch of the inning to the wall in centerfield for a double. Pauly lined a single to right to put runners on the corners. McGowen drew a four pitch walk and after fouling off several 3-2 pitches, Mares walked to score Goins and forced the Lions to the bullpen. Elizondo singled past a diving shortstop to score two runs. Bradford fouled out to right field, but both runners moved up 90 feet. A wild pitch scored Mares and junior Brandon Broughton (Corpus Christi, Texas) followed with a double to left center to knot the score at 7-7. Junior Rudy Solis (El Paso, Texas) singled between short and third after a long at bat and sophomore Ty Luper (League City, Texas) hit a sacrifice fly to deep center to give the Rattlers the lead. Goins again took the first pitch of the at bat and cleared the left field fence forcing another pitching change for the Lions. Pauly dropped a double in front of a diving centerfielder, McGowen singled through the left side and Pauly slid safely home in a close play at the plate for the 11-7 edge.
 
Neither team scored in the final three innings and Girod needed just six pitches to retire the Lions in order in the seventh to preserve the victory.
 
GAME TWO RECAP
Bradford took his first loss on the mound in four outings, surrendering seven runs on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout in five frames to 2-2 on the year. Senior John Curtis (Athens, Tenn.) worked a scoreless sixth inning, striking out two and giving up one hit.
 
Mares, Elizondo and sophomore Trey Guajardo (San Juan, Texas) each tallied one hit, while Elizondo had the lone RBI. Six different Rattlers drew a walk as the team stranded eight runners in seven innings.
 
Mares singled up the middle and Elizondo doubled to right center to score Mares for a quick first run. 
 
UAFS knotted the score 1-1 in the first with two hits, but Bradford got a double play to limit the damage. The Lions tacked on two runs in the third and four in the sixth for the 7-1 victory.