ALPINE, Texas — In a game that saw a little of everything, the St. Mary's University Baseball team outlasted Sul Ross State, 20-11, on Saturday in the second of a three-game series on opening weekend.
The Rattlers (2-0) scored their 20 runs on only nine hits, as they were hit by a pitch a school-record nine times by four of the seven pitchers used by the Lobos (0-2). StMU also drew 14 walks, turned a triple play on defense, stole four bases, threw out a would-be base stealer, and saw senior
Garrett Brooks (Spring Branch, Texas) hit his second home run in as many days.
The nine hit by pitch breaks the previous record of seven, done three times before, including twice in 2022. The 14 walks also tie for the third-most in a single game, and it is the fifth time it has happened in school history. The record for walks drawn is 24 at Oklahoma Panhandle State on March 2, 2007.
In the eighth inning with the Rattlers leading 19-10 and runners on first and second base,
Raithen Malone (Mont Belvieu, Texas) snagged a line drive, threw to
Blake Allen (Bulverde, Texas) at second, and he tossed the ball to Brooks at first, catching both runners off the bags for the triple play.
Brooks collected the only multi-hit day on offense, going 2-for-6 with two runs scored and three RBI. Both
Ashton Beaird (San Antonio) and Malone scored three times and drove in two RBI, while
Ryan Alaniz (San Antonio) crossed home plate three times after taking over at the designated hitter spot midway through the game.
The Rattlers struck first, scoring two in the first; however, the Lobos took the lead with five runs in the third inning. StMU exploded for eight runs in the fifth and six in the sixth for a 16-5 advantage. SRS answered with four in the sixth, and the Rattlers pushed the lead back to nine with two in the seventh. Each team scored a run in the eighth and ninth innings for the 20-11 final.
Senior
Kaleb Gauna (Hondo, Texas) pitched the first 4 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Sophomore
Derek Maples (San Antonio) was credited with the win, working the next 2 1/3 innings where he surrendered four earned runs on three hits. He also walked four and fanned four. Senior
Edward Mendoza (Eagle Pass, Texas) was on the hill for the final two innings, where he allowed only one run on one hit, and was aided by the triple play.
The two teams conclude the season series on Sunday in Alpine. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
