Game Two Theatrics Lead to Softball Split

SAN ANTONIO — After being shut out for just the second time this season in game one of the doubleheader, the St. Mary's University Softball team responded with a thrilling 6-5 victory in game two to take one of three games in the series against #24 Angelo State.
 
Trailing 5-4 entering the bottom of the seventh, leadoff hitter Lauren Gonzales (San Antonio) singled over the third baseman's head, reaching base for the seventh time in eight trips on the day. She promptly stole second base for the fourth time and fellow senior Mackenzie Dugi (St. Hedwig, Texas) moved her to third on a groundout to second base. Sophomore Raegan Tennill (Corpus Christi, Texas) hit a ball to the third baseman, who tried to tag Gonzales at third, but she snuck back in on the bag, and the throw to first was wild, allowing Tennill to get to second and Gonzales to score. On an 0-2 count, junior Jamison Holder (Magnolia, Texas) punched a ball to left field to score Tennill and give the Rattlers the 6-5 win.
 
Gonzales ended the day 4-for-6 with four stolen bases and three runs scored during the twin bill. The five steals during the series move Gonzales into seventh on the St. Mary's (19-14, 14-7 Lone Star Conference) career charts with 62, passing Bari Christian's (2019-2022) total of 60. Gonzales is now three shy of Terrie Cox (2003-2006) in sixth place.
 
Junior Jadyn Abrego (San Antonio) fell to 3-4 with the loss in the circle in game one. She had a solid outing, allowing only two runs on three hits with three walks and a strikeout in 5 1/3 innings pitched. Junior Savannah Youngblood shut down the Rambelles (25-10, 16-9 Lone Star) offense, retiring all five batters she faced on only 15 pitches, but the offense wasn't able to rally.
 
In game two, sophomore Breanna Ford (Corpus Christi) also was in the circle for 5 1/3 frames. She gave up two earned runs on three hits with five walks and four strikeouts. Youngblood worked 2/3 of an inning and junior Madeline Bloom (Poway, Calif.) hit the first batter she saw with her first pitch but rebounded to retire the side on only eight pitches with one strikeout to let the offense take over. She improves to 3-4 with the win and ends the week 2-0 in three appearances.
 
Holder drove in four of the team's six runs in the nightcap, going 2-for-3. Dugi and senior Ericka Gomez (Stafford, Texas) also had multiple hits to finish the series on a strong note.
 
The Rattlers head to Canyon to take on #2 West Texas A&M beginning on Friday at 3 p.m. The Lady Buffs took two of three against Texas A&M Kingsville over the weekend.