LUBBOCK, Texas — The St. Mary's University Baseball team continues to put hash marks in the win column, defeating Lubbock Christian 7-5 on Friday night in the opening game of the series.
The Rattlers have won four straight and 10 of the first 11 games of the season, while the Chaps move to 4-7 with the loss.
Each team had nine hits on the afternoon, but LCU committed three errors, and sophomore
Ryan Alaniz (San Antonio) delivered the dagger with a three-run home run in the top of the seventh, breaking the 4-4 tie on a full count. The Chaps added a solo shot in the bottom of the inning, but the Rattlers' defense shut down any thoughts of a rally.
Alaniz was 2-for-4 in the game and scored two runs, while senior
Jacob King (San Antonio) was 2-for-5 with a double, and senior
Matt Gauna (San Antonio) was on base three times with a double and two walks.
Junior
Brandon Vasquez (Round Rock, Texas) pitched five solid innings in a no-decision. He allowed four runs on five hits, walking only one and striking out three. Senior
Joel Burgess (Atascocita, Texas) improved to 3-0 in relief, surrendering one run on four hits with six strikeouts.
The Rattlers scored a run in the first inning for the early lead. They stretched the lead to 4-0 with a trio of runs in the fourth. Lubbock Christian got two runs in the bottom of the fourth and tied the score at 4-4 in the fifth frame. The Rattlers took the lead for good with the Alaniz shot to right field in the seventh.
The two teams return to the diamond on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
