BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The St. Mary's University Softball split the first day of the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, shutting out Harding 11-0 in five innings in the morning before dropping a 9-7 decision to Missouri S&T.
The long ball was the story in both games, as
Emily Ayala (San Antonio),
Raegan Tennill (Corpus Christi, Texas) and
Gabriela Banda (San Antonio) all hit blasts against the Lady Bison (2-3). The Rattlers (5-2) also stole six bases in the contest, including two by freshman
Peyton Travis (Pearland, Texas).
In the second game, the Miners hit three consecutive home runs in the bottom of the first to plate eight of their nine runs. Banda hit her second home run of the day in the first inning to give the Rattlers a 3-0 lead, and sophomore
Miah Corona (Eddy, Texas) hit a two-run shot in the seventh, but StMU couldn't complete the comeback.
Banda led the team at the plate, going 5-for-7 on the day with five RBIs and four runs scored. Corona was 4-for-5 with a walk and three RBIs, and junior
Samiya Johnson (Corpus Christi) was 3-for-4 with a pair of walks.
The Rattlers return to the diamond for two more games at the Classic on Saturday, as they rematch with Southeastern Oklahoma State at 11:30 a.m. and take on William Jewell at 2 p.m.
HARDING RECAP
Emery Aguilar (Georgetown, Texas) delivered a complete game shutout against Harding, pitching the complete game, allowing six hits without any runs. Aguilar faced 20 batters, throwing 69 pitches with 45 strikes, and effectively managed ground balls, inducing 11 of them. Despite not recording any strikeouts, Aguilar's control was evident, as no walks were issued throughout the game.
In the second inning, St. Mary's broke the scoreless tie. Corona's single to right center set the stage, and after a stolen base, Johnson doubled to bring in the first run. Ayala followed with a two-run homer to deep center, pushing the lead to 3–0.
The third inning saw further dominance from the Rattlers.
Iliana Melendez (Seabrook, Texas) singled and advanced on a fielding error, eventually scoring on a throwing error. Tennill then hit a solo home run to extend the lead to 5-0. The inning continued with
Peyton Travis' two-run double, scoring Banda and Corona. Travis later scored on a steal of home, concluding a five-run inning that left the Rattlers ahead 8–0.
In the fourth inning, the Rattlers added to their lead with Banda's three-run homer after Melendez and Tennill reached base. This offensive burst extended the lead to 11–0.
MISSOURI S&T RECAP
St. Mary's started the game off on a strong note.
Bryley Westfahl (San Antonio) walked and stole second, setting the stage for
Iliana Melendez, who singled to drive in Westfahl. Banda followed with a two-run homer to give the Rattlers a 3–0 lead. Missouri S&T responded with an eight-run inning, highlighted by home runs from A. Agers, M. Fitzgerald, and T. Nelson, flipping the score to 8–3 in favor of the Miners after the first inning.
In the fifth inning, the Rattlers narrowed the gap. Tennill doubled, and Banda hit a double, advancing Tennill, who was tagged out at home. Corona's single brought in Banda, and an additional RBI single from Johnson scored
Abigail Dela Rosa (La Grange, Texas), cutting the deficit to 9–5.
St. Mary's made another push in the seventh inning. Banda singled, and
Hannah Melendez, pinch-running for Banda, was brought home by a two-run homer from Corona. This effort brought the Rattlers within two runs, but the rally concluded without further scoring, resulting in a 9–7 win for Missouri S&T.
Ariella Saenz (Pharr, Texas) pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief, allowing just one earned run and striking out five batters, showcasing effective control with only one walk. She conceded three hits, including a home run, while maintaining a WHIP of 0.77 over 83 pitches, 53 of which were strikes.
