Softball Steals Way to Saturday Win

SAN ANTONIO – The St. Mary's Softball team completed its second-straight sweep in Lone Star Conference play with a 5-3 win over Western New Mexico on Saturday afternoon.
 
Junior Lauren Gonzales (San Antonio) tied the school record with three stolen bases in the game, becoming the tenth Rattler to swipe a trio and the 13^th time it's been accomplished in the storied history of the program. The Rattlers stole five bags in the game and 12 in the series.
 
Gonzales and sophomore Lauryn Ramos (Marion, Texas) were both 2-for-3 in the contest as the Rattlers (17-5, 7-2 LSC) scored five runs on seven hits. Junior Ericka Gomez (Stafford, Texas) drove in two runs on the day and junior Mackenzie Dugi (St. Hedwig, Texas) drew another two walks.
 
Sophomore pitcher Madeline Bloom (Poway, Calif.) improved to 3-2 on the year after allowing only one earned run on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Junior Sara Robertson (Lorena, Texas) worked 1.2 innings, surrendering one run on two hits with a walk and senior Catalina Cavazos (Houston) picked up her second save of the year, retiring the only batter she faced.
 
St. Mary's scored the first run of the day. Dugi walked and Gonzales placed a bunt right down the first base line for a single. Sophomore Jamison Holder (Magnolia, Texas) bunted them both up a base and Dugi scored on a sacrifice fly to deep left centerfield by sophomore Kaylynne Ruiz (Eagle Pass, Texas). The Mustangs scored on a sacrifice fly of their own in the top of the second to knot the score at 1-1.
 
Gonzales legged out an infield single to shortstop to kick off the third inning. She then swiped second and third base, setting up the long sacrifice fly to the fence by Holder. Ruiz singled to left and freshman Abigail Dela Rosa (LaGrange, Texas) entered to run. Junior Reba Reyes (Brownsville, Texas) singled up the middle on a sharply hit ball and knocked starter Kamerynn Cordova (2-9) out of the game. Dela Rosa and Reyes pulled off the successful double steal and both scored on a shot through the 5-6 hole on the left side off the bat of Gomez. Lauren Garcia (San Antonio) hit a sharp ball up the middle, but the shortstop wasn't in time to get Gomez at second. Ramos singled up the middle to plate Gomez for the fourth run of the inning and the 5-1 lead.
 
WNMU scored one in the fifth and one in the seventh, but were unable to finish the comeback.
 
The Rattlers don't get much rest as they play at rival St. Edward's on Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch for Tuesday is scheduled for 1 p.m.