Softball Says Howdy to 2024 with Houston Classic

St. Mary's (0-0, 0-0) at Houston Spring Invitational
Friday, Feb. 2
            vs Pittsburg State, 4:45 p.m. (Field 4)
            vs #19 Rogers State, 7 p.m. (Stadium)
Saturday, Feb. 3
            vs Central Washington, 12:15 p.m. (Field 4)
            vs Regis, 4:45 p.m. (Field 1)
Sunday, Feb. 4
            vs Cal Poly Humboldt, 12:15 p.m. (Field 3)
 
First Pitch

• The St. Mary's University Softball team opens up the 46th season of competition at the annual Houston Spring Invitational against Pittsburg State, #19 Rogers State, Central Washington, Regis and Cal Poly Humboldt. The Rattlers defeated both Humboldt (4-3) and Pittsburg State (5-3) at the same tournament a season ago.
• The Rattlers return Lone Star All-Conference First Team selections Ericka Gomez and Lauren Gonzales, as well as Second Team pick Jamison Holder and All-Freshmen selections Emily Ayalaand Raegan Tennill.
• The 2023 Rattlers ended the year ranked fourth in the nation in sacrifice flies with 30, trailing national leader Grand Valley State by two (32). Senior Reba Reyes led the team and ranked fourth nationally with seven.
• The Rattlers also led the Lone Star Conference and ranked 14th in the country with 54 total sacrifice bunts. Senior Ericka Gomez paced the team with 0.28 bunts per game, which led the Lone Star and was 17th nationally.
• Ericka Gomez was also the hardest player in the Lone Star Conference to strike out in 2023, striking out only once every 25 at bats.