March 17, 2007
AUSTIN – St. Mary’s University was able to pick up just six hits at the plate and scored only one run as they were swept by 21st-ranked St. Edward’s University, 3-0, 2-1, in Heartland Conference softball action Saturday afternoon at Diane Daniels Field.
The Rattlers, who have played 13 games over the last eight days, showed some signs of fatigue at the plate. St. Mary’s had three baserunners over the first two innings of the first game, but couldn’t bring them home and only had three baserunners reach over the next four innings against Jennifer Bishop. However, the Rattlers staged one last rally in the top of the seventh inning. Taryn Munoz (Fr., Bulverde) led off with a single and one out later Katherine Chavarria (Fr., San Antonio) followed with a single. But Bishop retired the last two batters to end the threat and the game.
Malissa Magee (Jr., Houston) took the loss in game one, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings of work. She fell to 15-6 with the loss.
The second game was a pitcher’s duel between Magee and Courtney Francis over the first four innings. The Hilltoppers took the early lead when Mandy Phillips singled, stole second and advanced to third on an error by catcher Kelcy Walker (Jr., San Antonio). She came home on a bunt single by Karen Varteressian.
The Rattlers tied things at 1-1 in the fourth inning with some help from the Hilltoppers. Sarah Cooper (Jr., Houston) reached on an error to start the inning. After Walker reached on a fielder’s choice, with Cooper out at second, Lindsay Barnes (Jr., San Antonio) singled to put runners at first and second with one out. Brittany Kettinger (Jr., Azle) walked to load the bases. That prompted a call to the bullpen for pitcher Robin Becker. Nikki Flores (So., Friendswood) reached on the second error of the inning, allowing Walker to score. But Becker struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
In the bottom of the inning Rebecca Ray hit her second homerun of the afternoon to put SEU up 2-1 and Becker made that stand up, improving to 4-2 this season. Magee fell to 15-7.
With the losses the Rattlers fell to 25-13 overall and 4-2 in Heartland play. St. Edward’s improved to 26-13 and 6-0. The teams will wrap up their four-game series on Sunday when they come to San Antonio for a doubleheader at Rattler Field, starting at 2 p.m.