SAN ANTONIO — You're not seeing double. The No. 14 St. Mary's University Baseball team won both games of the doubleheader on Saturday against West Texas A&M by identical scores of 3-1 at Dickson Stadium.
In both games, the Rattlers (24-9) jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Buffs (22-11) managed to plate one in the later innings for the 3-1 finals. The two teams conclude the four-game series on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for Noon.
In the opener, sophomore
Derek Maples (San Antonio) retired the side in order in the first, letting his offense get right to work. Freshman
Blake Allen (Bulverde, Texas) tripled down the right field line and scored on the next pitch as junior
Ashton Beaird (San Antonio) singled to left for the 1-0 advantage.
Maples continued to look sharp, going 3-up, 3-down in the second and third innings. In the bottom of the third, senior
Matt Mendez (Natalia, Texas) walked, and moved to second on a wild pitch. Allen also walked, and Beaird sacrificed himself to move the pair up 90 feet. Junior
Dillon Lopez (San Antonio) doubled to the gap in right center, plating both runs for the 3-0 lead.
The Buffs scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth on a hit, error, wild pitch and a sacrifice fly.
Maples pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits, walking two and striking out five to improve to 4-0 on the season, and senior
Edward Mendoza worked his fourth save, pitching the final 1 1/3 innings without allowing a hit, and he needed only nine pitches to get the four outs.
In the nightcap, the Rattlers also put a run on the scoreboard in the first frame. Allen singled up the middle, moved to second on a passed ball, stole third base and scored on a single through the right side of the infield by Lopez.
That score held until the fifth inning. With one out, Beaird walked, stole second and scampered to third on a throwing error by the catcher trying to get him at second base. He scored on a double to left center off the bat of senior
Garrett Brooks (Spring Branch, Texas), and Brooks came home when sophomore
Ryan Alaniz (San Antonio) singled to left field and the ball was misplayed by the left fielder.
WT scored its lone run in the top of the sixth on two hits and a fielder's choice.
Gabe Cook (San Antonio) continued to pitch well in a starting role, giving up one run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings. He also walked one and struck out five to improve to 4-0 in 2026.
Brandon Vasquez (Round Rock, Texas) pitched the next 2/3 of an inning, throwing seven strikes in his 10 pitches, and Mendoza struck out one in the seventh for his second-straight save and fifth of the year.
