Baseball Wins Crazy Game at Dickson

SAN ANTONIO — Crooked numbers abounded in the third game of the series between St. Mary's University and #15 Angelo State University on Saturday, with the Rattlers holding on for a crazy 13-12 victory.
 
The two teams combined for 25 runs on 35 hits and 12 different pitchers took the mound in the game that lasted 3:08 and saw two teams snap long streaks. The Rams (19-9, 18-9 Lone Star Conference) snapped a nine-game winning streak, while the Rattlers (10-15, 8-15 Lone Star) broke a six-game skid in a game that saw a little of everything.
 
St. Mary's used four pitchers on the day. Sophomore Kaleb Gauna (Hondo, Texas) worked 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision. The first 11 pitches he threw in the game were strikes as he ended up allowing five runs on six hits, with one walk and a pair of strikeouts. 
 
The Rattlers scored eight of their runs with two outs – including all six in the first inning – and the winning run in the ninth. Sophomore Garrett Brooks (Spring Branch, Texas) was 3-for-4 in the game with three runs scored and two RBI. Seven others posted two hits and senior Devin Goins (San Antonio) led the way with three RBI.
 
After Gauna retired the Rams in order in the first inning on only eight pitches, the Rattlers offense went to work. Jake Elizondo (San Antonio) singled up the middle. Brendan Concannon (Flower Mound, Texas) was called out for batter's interference after two lengthy conversations between the umpiring crew. Brooks followed with a walk. With two outs, Easton Parrish (La Vernia, Texas) doubled to the gap in left-center to clear the bases and scored on a single to right-center by Goins. Dillon Lopez (San Antonio) singled up the middle and Trey Guajardo (San Juan, Texas) singled through the right side to plate Goins. The Rattlers pulled off the successful double steal as Guajardo broke for second, causing the throw down and Lopez stole home. Jorge Cuevas (El Paso, Texas) singled up the middle to give StMU a 6-0 lead.
 
StMU pushed the lead to seven with one run in the second. Concannon led off the frame with a double to right field and hustled to third on a groundout by Brooks. Galvan singled to left to drive in Concannon.
 
In the top of the fourth, Angelo State cut the lead to two with five runs on five hits. The Rattlers got one run back in their half of the inning. With two outs, Brooks doubled down the left field line, as the ball landed inches inside the foul line. He hustled home on a single through the 5-6 hole on the left side of the infield by Galvan.
 
The Rams plated one run in the sixth and the Rattlers immediately answered with a four spot. Cuevas led off on a first-pitch single to left-center. Elizondo singled to center and Concannon bunted the pair up 90 feet. Brooks drove both home with a single up the middle. Galvan and Parrish each walked on four pitches to load the bases and Goins doubled down the left field line for the 12-6 advantage.
 
The Rams scored six runs over the next three innings to knot the game at 12, but a fantastic double play on a bunt where Goins grabbed the bunt, threw to second and Elizondo relayed the throw to Parrish at first to end ended the threat in the top of the ninth.
 
Guajardo singled through the right side and speedster Tristan Moreno (Seguin, Texas) came in to pinch run. Cuevas bunted Moreno to second and he hustled to third on a wild pitch. Elizondo hit a shot to right field and the play was close at the plate, however Moreno slid under the tag for the victory.
 
Senior Matt Bundy (Whitehouse, Texas) worked 2 1/3 in relief of Gauna. He gave up three earned runs on six hits, while freshman Braeden Brown (Sinton, Texas) allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings. Senior Andrew Girod (San Antonio) picked up the victory to move to 3-0. He surrendered two runs on five hits in 1 2/3 frames.
 
The two teams are scheduled to conclude the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.