SAN ANTONIO — The St. Mary's University Softball team began not only the home portion of its season on Sunday, but also Lone Star Conference play, splitting a doubleheader with rival St. Edward's. The Rattlers won game one 7-0, before dropping game two, 7-4.
Junior
Gabriela Banda (San Antonio) continued to have the hot bat, going 4-for-6 in the doubleheader with two doubles. Matching her with four hits, going 4-for-7 at the plate were both junior
Iliana Melendez (Seabrook, Texas) and
Raegan Tennill (Corpus Christi, Texas). Both had a double and a stolen base, while Melendez scored three times and Tennill twice. Both
Bryley Westfahl (San Antonio) and
Izabella Valdez (San Antonio) added three hits as the Rattlers (9-4, 1-1) outhit the Hilltoppers (3-8, 1-1) 23-to-11 on the day.
St. Mary's steps out of Lone Star Conference action for the final time on Tuesday when they host Our Lady of the Lake at The Park for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
GAME ONE (7-0)
Senior
Ariella Saenz (Pharr, Texas) pitched a gem in the home opener, throwing a complete game shutout. She allowed only three hits over the seven innings, walking one and striking out two. The win improves her to 4-1 on the season.
The Rattlers scored their seven runs on 13 hits, with two SEU errors. Tennill was a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI, and she was hit by a pitch. Westfahl, Melendez and Valdez all recorded two hits.
Maddie Aguilar started in the circle for the Hilltoppers, falling to 0-3 after giving up six runs on seven hits. Haley Carmona pitched the final 4 1/3 innings, allowing only one run on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
St. Mary's created chaos early, scoring four runs in the first. Westfahl singled to left, stole second, moved to third on a fantastic bunt for a single by Melendez, and the pair completed the successful double steal for a 1-0 lead before anyone blinked. Tennill singled through the left side of the infield, putting runners on the corners until Tennill swiped second base. Melendez scored on a Banda groundout. With two outs senior
Abigail Dela Rosa (La Grange, Texas) singled to right, and Tennill took advantage of the right fielder misplaying the ball by scoring. Dela Rosa stole second and scored on a double to right center by
Samiya Johnson (Corpus Christi) for the 4-0 lead.
The Rattlers tacked on two runs in the second on three hits, and added one in the sixth for the 7-0 final.
GAME TWO (7-4)
The Rattlers attempt at a comeback fell short, as they trailed 7-0 heading into the fifth. The team scored one in the fifth on a throwing error after Valdez doubled to lead off the inning. StMU scored three in the seventh, including a home run by
Emily Ayala (San Antonio), but couldn't plate more than three for the 7-4 final.
Junior
Emery Aguilar (Georgetown, Texas) started in the circle, pitching 2 2/3 innings in her first loss of the year (3-1). She allowed four runs on five hits with one strikeout. Ayala pitched the final 4 1/3 innings, giving up only one earned run on three hits with three walks and a strikeout.
Kylen Padgett pitched the complete game for St. Edward's. She allowed three earned runs on 10 hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Banda went 3-for-4 in the game with two RBI, while Melendez was 2-for-3.
