Early Runs Lift Baseball to Series Victory

EDMOND, Okla. — After the Rattlers half of the first inning, the game on Sunday was the ultimate pitcher's duel between the St. Mary's University and Oklahoma Christian Baseball teams in the series finale as the two staffs combined to strike out 27 in the 3-1 StMU victory.
 
The Rattlers (6-2) hitters got to starting pitcher Brooks Snyder, knocking him out after 2/3 of an inning, scoring three runs on three hits with one walk. Those three runs were all the team managed as Eagles (1-3) pitchers Tristan Copeland and Ira Clifton fanned 16 over the next 8 1/3 innings, allowing only two base runners, one via walk and one via single.
 
The Rattlers' pitching staff answered the call, as junior Hagen Rose (Troy, Texas) improved to 2-0 on the year, allowing one unearned run on one hit with five strikeouts. Sophomore Matthew Janecek (Houston) earned his first save of 2025, striking out six over the final three innings and surrendering only one hit, needing only 37 pitches in the three frames.
 
Eight games into the 2025 season, and St. Mary's has scored first in each one, plating three runs in the first inning on Sunday. With one out, senior Jacob Elizondo (San Antonio) was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a wild pitch, and went to third on a single by Jacob King (San Antonio) after Garrett Brooks (Spring Branch, Texas) had walked. Senior Easton Parrish (La Vernia, Texas) drove a single between the third baseman and short to score a pair, and with two outs Hogan Heller (San Antonio) singled through the right side of the infield for the third run of the inning.
 
The Rattlers host Our Lady of the Lake on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the team's lone game of the week. StMU hosts Lubbock Christian beginning on Friday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.