April 1, 2007
ODESSA – Zach Kucera allowed just one run over five innings of work for his fourth win of the season, helping St. Mary’s University to a split of a doubleheader against the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, 2-1, 4-10, in Heartland Conference baseball action Sunday afternoon at Roden Field.
Kucera (Jr., Spring) allowed just the one run on five hits and three walks, while striking out two to improve to 4-3 this season. Michael Villarreal (So., Eagle Pass) picked up his first save as a Rattler, holding the Falcons to just one hit and one walk, while striking out three in two innings of work.
The Rattlers picked up both of their runs in the top of the third inning. Daniel Soto (Fr., Lytle) walked to lead off and moved to second on a sacrifice by Ryan Femath (Sr., El Paso). Michael Brzezinski (So., Helotes) singled to put runners on first and third and Ray Camacho (Sr., Converse) brought home Soto with a ground out. Jason Anderson (Sr., Lancaster, Calif.) then reached on an error, allowing Brzezinski to score.
In the second game the Rattlers took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the bullpen lost the 4-3 lead and the Rattlers dropped a 10-4 decision. The loss came despite the fact that the Rattlers outhit the Falcons 11-8.
With the split the Rattlers are now 22-11 overall, while UTPB improved to 10-19. St. Mary’s will return to action on Thursday when they host St. Edward’s University in a Heartland Conference doubleheader, starting at 3 p.m. at V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium.