San Antonio – Ricky Gonzalez smacked three homeruns and drove in 10 runs, helping St. Mary’s University to a sweep of Montana State University-Billings, 18-0, 14-2, in Heartland Conference baseball action Wednesday afternoon at V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium.

Gonzalez (Jr., Houston) entered Wednesday’s play with just five at-bats so far this season, but took advantage of his second and third starts of the season. In the first game he went 4-of-4 with homeruns in three straight at-bats. That total tied the St. Mary’s single-game school record. His eight RBI is the second highest single-game total in school history. His four hits and four runs scored both tied for the fifth most in school history.

With Gonzalez leading the way the Rattlers posted season highs in runs scored (18) and hits (21). Ten different Rattlers had at least one hit in the game, while seven Rattlers had two or more hits in the game.

While the offense was moving in high gear, Caleb Staudt (Sr., Leander) shut out the Yellowjackets over five innings, allowing seven hits and one walk, while striking out four to improve to 3-1 overall on the mound.

In the second game of the day Brandon Lippe (Sr., Schertz) matched Staudt’s performance, allowing just three hits and two walks, while striking out five over five innings of work. He improved to 2-0 on the season with the win. Frank Flores (Jr., San Antonio) finished the game, pitching the final two innings.

Cody Pyle (Sr., Spring Branch) went 3-of-3 with his second homerun of the season, three RBI and two runs scored. Five Rattlers picked up at least two hits in the game. Michael Pawelek (Sr., San Antonio) went 2-of-3 wit a homerun, four RBI and two runs scored.

With the sweep St. Mary’s has won eight straight games and improved to 8-2 overall, including 6-0 in Heartland Conference play. MSUB fell to 2-6 and 1-5. The two teams will wrap up their four-game series on Thursday at 2 p.m. with a doubleheader at V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium.

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