AUSTIN, Texas — The offense continued to produce for the St. Mary's University Baseball team on Sunday in the conclusion of the Battle of the Saints, as the Rattlers defeated St. Edward's, 11-9.
The Rattlers are now 22-8 on the season after winning three of four against the Hilltoppers, who drop to 19-10 on the year. St. Mary's is tied for first place in the LSC standings with UT Dallas and UT Tyler.
StMU scored its 11 runs on 10 hits and nine walks, and batters were hit seven more times, getting hit by a pitch 17 times in the four-game set.
Matt Mendez (Natalia, Texas) was 3-for-6 in the game, with a grand slam for his first home run of the 2026 season.
Ashton Beaird (San Antonio) and
Garrett Brooks (Spring Branch, Texas) added two hits each, while Beaird was hit by a pitch three times, tying his StMU high from the season opener at Sul Ross State.
Eric Tenery (Kerrville, Texas) started on the hill for the Rattlers in a no-decision. He pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on six hits, walking two and striking out five.
Kaleb Gauna (Hondo, Texas) improved to 1-3, working the middle of the game. He surrendered three runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
Edward Mendoza (Eagle Pass, Texas) earned his third save of the year, throwing the final 2 1/3 innings. He gave up only one hit, striking out five and walking one.
For the second-straight game, the Rattlers scored eight runs in an inning, plating eight in the third on five hits, two walks, and three hit batters. In game two on Saturday, the Rattlers scored eight in the fourth inning.
In addition to scoring 11 runs, StMU left 15 runners on base, while the Hilltoppers stranded eight. All nine spots in the batting order scored at least once, with both Beaird and Brooks scoring twice.
The Rattlers host West Texas A&M next week, beginning on Friday at 6 p.m. The Buffaloes won three of four games against Oklahoma Christian in week eight and are one game behind the Rattlers in the standings with a 21-9 record.
