Softball Run-Rules Cameron in Series Finale

LAWTON, Okla. — A run-rule victory gave the St. Mary's University Softball team its fifth-straight series win on Wednesday as they won 11-3 at Cameron in six innings to win two of three.
 
The Rattlers' (18-12, 13-5 Lone Star Conference) pitching and hitting remained strong in game three as sophomore Breanna Ford (Corpus Christi, Texas) and junior Jadyn Abrego (San Antonio) combined to allow only two hits and strike out seven in the circle. Ford improved to 6-3 with the win, while Abrego picked up her first save of the year.
 
St. Mary's also scored 11 runs on 12 hits, led by senior Ericka Gomez (Stafford, Texas) who was 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Both junior Mackenzie Dugi (St. Hedwig, Texas) and freshman Gabriella Banda (San Antonio) had two hits, including home runs, and junior Mene'e Padilla (San Antonio) added a two-hit game.
 
Junior Lauren Gonzales (San Antonio) walked to start the game, stole second and came around to score when Dugi blasted another home run to right field. It is her third home run in five games after not hitting one all of last season.
 
The Rattlers doubled the score in the second inning. Gomez singled up the middle, Banda singled through the right side and Padilla took a high pitch for a bunt single to load the bases. A pitch plunked junior Lauryn Ramos (Marion, Texas) for one run. With one out, Dugi drew a walk to plate another run and make it 4-0.
 
Senior Reba Reyes (Brownsville, Texas) walked to kick off the third and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gomez. Both Banda and Padilla walked, and after another pitching change, Ramos singled on a sharply hit ball to shortstop to score a pair and stretch the lead to 6-0.
 
The Aggies scored one run on two hits in the bottom of the third for the 6-1 score.
 
Dugi led off the fourth inning with a single to right field that was misplayed, allowing her to get all the way to third. With two outs, Reyes walked on four consecutive pitches. Gomez singled down the left field line to score Dugi and push the lead back to six, 7-1.
 
Cameron added one run in the both the fourth and the fifth innings to cut the lead to four, 7-3. Abrego came in midway through the fifth and retired all six batters she faced to earn her first save of the season.
 
Dugi drew another walk to begin the sixth. She was sacrificed to second by sophomore Raegan Tennill (Corpus Christi). Junior Jamison Holder (Magnolia, Texas) singled to left and with two outs, Gomez singled to left-center field to score both. Banda hit the first home run of her career to plate another two and extend the lead to the final tally of 11-3.
 
The Rattlers return home to host Angelo State on Saturday and Sunday. Game one will be Saturday at 4 p.m., while the teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. The #24-ranked Rambelles lost to Texas A&M Kingsville 7-4 on Wednesday, but won the series 2-1.