DENVER, Colo. — It was a day chock full of emotions for the St. Mary's University Softball team as they won the first elimination game 10-3 over two-time defending national champion and 18th-ranked UT Tyler before ending the season with a 10-0 loss to No. 7 Colorado Christian.
 
The Rattlers conclude a fantastic first season for Head Coach Taylor Lira, posting a 31-23 record and advancing to their 19th NCAA Regional in school history.
 
StMU says goodbye to an amazing group of seniors in Emily Ayala (San Antonio), Abigail Dela Rosa (La Grange, Texas), Breanna Ford (Corpus Christi, Texas), Madison Magaro (San Antonio), Arianna (AJ) Sanchez (San Antonio), Ariella Saenz (Pharr, Texas), and Raegan Tennill (Corpus Christi).
 
GAME ONE (StMU 10, UTT 3)
The Rattlers once again jumped out to an early lead, plating one run in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Tennill got the rally started with a single to center. Sophomore Miah Corona (Eddy, Texas) walked and junior Gabriela Banda (San Antonio) singled to left for the opening run.
 
The Patriots took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second on two singles, two hit by pitches, a walk and an error.
 
StMU responded, scoring seven runs in the top of the fourth to regain the advantage, 8-3. With one out, Saenz singled to deep at shortstop and freshman Hannah Melendez (San Antonio) pinch ran for the pitcher. Magaro walked, and she also had a pinch runner in sophomore Jaylan Roberson (Elgin, Texas). Junior Samiya Johnson (Corpus Christi) singled to load the bases, and freshman Peyton Miers (San Antonio) pinch hit and delivered with a single past the third baseman to score Melendez. After a Patriots pitching change, Iliana Melendez (Seabrook, Texas) walked to plate Roberson. Tennill increased her school record with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Johnson, and Corona once again loaded the bases with a swinging bunt single down the third base line. Banda blasted a bases-clearing double to the gap in right center, and she came around to score on a terrific bunt by Dela Rosa where no one covered first base for the five-run advantage.
 
Junior Bryley Westfahl (San Antonio) made a fantastic double play to end the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, she snared a line drive and dove to the bag to tag the runner at third and end the Patriots' threat, preserving the five-run lead for the Rattlers.
 
Tennill doubled down the third base line, and with one out, Banda received the "unintentional-intentional" walk on four pitches that were nowhere close to the zone. Dela Rosa hit a long fly ball to right field that was lost in the sun for a triple to add two more runs for the Rattlers and the 10-3 lead.
 
Junior Emery Aguilar (Georgetown, Texas) retired seven of the eight batters she faced in relief to close out the game and keep the season alive for the Gold and Blue.
 
Tennill was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and one RBI, while Banda was 2-for-3 with two runs and four RBI, and Johnson was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
 
Ford started in the circle, giving up two earned runs on two hits with one walk and two hit batters in a no-decision. Saenz improved to 16-9 on the year, not allowing a run on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts, and Aguilar pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, surrendering only one hit.
 
GAME TWO (CCU 10, StMU 0)
The Cougars book-ended their scoring, plating six in the first and four in the seventh for the win.
 
The Rattlers were limited to five hits in the nightcap with Westfahl, Corona, Banda, Ayala, and Izabella Valdez each getting one. 
 
Ford started for the second-straight contest, but lasted only 1/3 of an inning, allowing four runs on three hits with a walk. Saenz pitched six innings in relief, giving up four runs on five hits with a strikeout and Aguilar worked the final 2/3 of an inning, surrendering two runs on three hits.