First Pitch
• St. Mary's returns home looking to snap a five-game losing skid with a four-game series against UAFS. The Lions are 3-3 on the season and 1-3 in Lone Star Conference play.
• Both Clay Bradford and Jake Elizondo have reached back safely in all eight games this seasoon. Bradford has hits in seven of eight.
• The Rattlers have hit 10 home runs in eight games this season, more than halfway to last seasoon's total of 18. Both Clay Bradford and Brandon Broughton have two as eight different players have left the yard with a ball.
• Jake Mares has stolen two bases this season, needing four to tie the record of the record of 73 by Brandon Bippert (1998-2001).
• Rattler hitters have been patient at the plate, drawing 39 walks, which ranks 31st in Division II. Clay Bradford, Elias Koury and Jake Mares are tied for the team lead with five walks each.
• Senior Ryan McGowen was a perfect 3-for-3 in stolen bases last week at UT-Tyler. He now has 40 swipes in his career.
• St. Mary's was picked to finish eighth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll with 203 points. The Falcons were selected 13th by the league's coaches, SIDs and media.
• Senior Jake Mares was named to the preseason NCBWA All-South Central Region team. A season ago, Mares earned All-Region honors by all three associations.
• Jake Mares needs three hits for 200 in his career, while the next for Ryan McGowen will be his 150th and Brandon Broughton is two away from 100.
