SAN ANTONIO — Back in first place. The St. Mary's University Baseball team won its sixth-straight game, sweeping the series against Texas A&M-Kingsville with an 8-3 win on Sunday in the finale at Dickson Stadium to reclaim first in the Lone Star Conference standings.
The Rattlers sit a half-game ahead of rival St. Edward's, which is 18-7 after having one of its games against Cameron cancelled in week three. St. Mary's is now 19-7 after the six-straight victories. UT Dallas, UT Tyler and West Texas A&M are all a half-game behind the Hilltoppers at 18-8.
On Sunday, senior
Raithen Malone (Mont Belvieu, Texas) put the Rattlers on top with a bases-clearing double over the centerfielder's head in the bottom of the second for the 3-1 advantage. Malone was 2-for-2 on the day before coming out of the game in the sixth. He was one of four Rattlers with two hits on the day, as freshman
Blake Allen (Bulverde, Texas), and sophomore
Rob Gonzalez (Pleasanton, Texas) each had two out of the top two spots in the batting order, and senior
Garrett Brooks (Spring Branch, Texas) was 2-for-3 with four RBIs after hitting a bases-clearing double that was inches from a grand slam in the seventh.
Texas A&M-Kingsville (15-11) actually outhit the Rattlers 12-to-10 on the day, but StMU took advantage of four walks and three hit batters.
Senior
Eric Tenery (Kerrville, Texas) recorded his third-straight quality start, improving to 5-0 after allowing only two runs on eight hits with a strikeout through six innings. Senior
Kaleb Gauna (Hondo, Texas) worked the next two innings, giving up one run on four hits with two strikeouts and sophomore
Christian Molinar (San Antonio) pitched a scoreless ninth, fanning one.
The St. Mary's pitchers did not walk a batter or hit one during the game, limiting the Javelinas opportunities.
The Rattlers head north to Austin next week for a four-game set against the Hilltoppers, beginning on Friday at 2 p.m. at Lucian Hamilton Field.
