LAWTON, Okla. – Tied at 3-3 in the seventh inning of game two, seniors
Clay Bradford and
Brandon Broughton hit back-to-back home runs to give St. Mary's Baseball a Saturday doubleheader sweep in the final regular season series. The homers gave the Rattlers a 6-3 win after they won game one 9-6.
For the first time since May 15, 2021, a pair of Rattlers hit back-to-back jacks as Bradford (Atascocita, Texas) and Broughton (Corpus Christi, Texas) accomplished the feat. The last time it happened, Mac Papini and
Brian Juarez (Corpus Christi, Texas) did so in the seventh inning at Oklahoma Christian.
The Rattlers (24-25, 22-25 Lone Star) have a chance to even their record in the final regular season game of the year on Sunday at Cameron. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
GAME ONE RECAP
The Rattlers took advantage of free passes, drawing nine walks and getting hit by a pitch six times to score nine runs on five hits. They also stole a season-high six bases. The team's six HBP ties for fourth on the school's single game charts, while the six swiped bags ties for fifth and they are the 10th StMU team to accomplish the feat.
Senior
Ryan McGowen was on base all four times but never recorded an at bat as he was hit three times and walked once. The three HBP tie the school's single game record and he's the fifth to be plunked three in a contest, joining David Nelson (2002), Ryan Femath (2006), Tyler Migl (2010) and current teammate
Jake Mares (2022).
Senior
Rudy Solis (El Paso, Texas) walked with the bases loaded in each of his first two plate appearances to collect two RBI without the benefit of a hit. Junior
Devin Goins (San Antonio) also drew two base on balls and added a hit with an RBI.
The Rattlers scored three runs each in the first, third and fifth innings, but the Aggies made it a much closer contest, scoring six unanswered in the fifth and sixth. Senior
Andrew Girod (San Antonio) retired all three batters he faced in the seventh for his eighth save of the year.
Bradford improved to 4-5 on the hill, giving up six runs on six hits with three walks and a career-best seven strikeouts. Twice last season he fanned five in a game for his previous high. He also went 1-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, two stolen bases and a walk.
GAME TWO RECAP
Senior
Connor Schmidt (Devine, Texas) moved to the seven-inning contest and responded with his fifth win of the year. Schmidt pitched six frames, allowing two earned runs on seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
Girod once again came in and took care of business in the seventh, collecting his ninth save in 2023 with three more strikeouts. He moves into sole possession of fifth on the St. Mary's single season chart, passing Trent Rousseau who posted eight saves in 2017.
Cameron scored single runs in the second and third innings to ease out to a 2-0 lead.
The Rattlers tied the game with a pair of runs in the sixth. Freshman
Jacob King (San Antonio) was hit by a pitch to start things off and Bradford walked. With one out, junior
Easton Parrish (La Vernia, Texas) was plunked to load the bases and force the Aggies to go to the bullpen. Solis singled past the shortstop on the left side of the infield to plate a pair.
The Aggies got a run back in the bottom of the sixth but the Rattlers immediately answered.
Jacob Elizondo (San Antonio) led off with a triple to right center and scored with one out when Mares singled to left. With two outs, Bradford cleared the left field fence on a 1-2 pitch and Broughton took a 1-0 pitch to almost the same place for the 6-3 victory.
The single by Mares gave him at least one hit in 24-straight games, tying the St. Mary's (Division II) hitting streak record. Jesse Gutierrez also hit in 24 consecutive during the 2001 campaign.
