Softball Finishes Season Sweep Over Mustangs

SAN ANTONIO — The St. Mary's University Softball team made it a series sweep over Midwestern State with a 5-1 victory on Sunday afternoon. The Rattlers improved to 26-18 on the year, while the Mustangs fell to 12-32.
 
Junior Jadyn Abrego (San Antonio) improved to 6-4 in the circle. She only allowed three hits and struck out five in 4 1/3 innings of work. Junior Savannah Youngblood (Kingwood, Texas) earned her third save, giving up one run on one hit with one walk and one strikeout in the final 2 2/3 innings.
 
Junior Lauryn Ramos (Marion, Texas) was 2-for-2 on the day with a walk and a run scored as the eight Rattlers' hits were scattered among seven players.
 
After Abrego retired the side in the top of the first, including striking out two, Lauren Gonzales (San Antonio) walked on four straight pitches. She stole second and came around to score on a double to the gap in left-center off the bat of Jamison Holder (Magnolia, Texas).
 
In the third with two outs, Holder walked and scored on a blast down the left field line off the bat of senior Reba Reyes (Brownsville, Texas). It is the 10th home run of the year for Reyes and extended the Rattlers lead to 3-0.
 
The Mustangs threatened in the fifth, loading the bases, but Youngblood won an 11-pitch battle with Camile Nunez for the final out to keep the shutout intact.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, freshman Gabriela Banda (San Antonio) singled to centerfield and sophomore Abigail Dela Rosa (La Grange, Texas) pinch ran for her. She stole second base. Ramos hit a pop fly to shallow left field that the shortstop lost in the sun and she hustled to second when they attempted to get Dela Rosa at third. Salinas reached on an error by the pitcher that advanced both runners. Senior Mackenzie Dugi (St. Hedwig, Texas) hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field for the fifth run of the day.
 
MSU scored in the top of the seventh on a leadoff home run by Allie Monroe that bounced off the top of the fence in left-center for the 5-1 final.
 
The Rattlers host their final home series of the year beginning on Thursday when Oklahoma Christian comes to town. Thursday's games will be at 2 and 4 p.m., while Friday begins at 11 a.m. due to Oyster Bake.