March 4, 2008
KINGSVILLE – Malissa Magee struck out 22 in 10 innings of scoreless pitching, helping St. Mary’s University to a sweep of Texas A&M University-Kingsville in softball action Tuesday afternoon at Hubert Field.
In the first game Magee (Sr., Katy) was especially dominant, facing just one player above the minimum in tossing her third straight complete game shutout. She struck out the first six batters she faced and 10 of the first 11 to start the game. Her perfect game was broken up in the fifth when Kristin Schumann drew a two-out walk. Magee finished the game by allowing just two hits and two walks, while striking out a season-high 15.
The Rattler offense gave her all the support she would need in the fourth inning. Mary K Pederson (Sr., Houston) led off with a double to right-center and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Kelly Baker (Fr., Arlington) then brought home Pederson with a sacrifice fly to right, giving the Rattlers a 1-0 lead. The following inning Sade Moore (Jr., Angleton) singled home Arlynda Flores (So., Uvalde) to extend the lead to 2-0.
Taryn Munoz (So., Bulverde) had the start in game two for the Rattlers and pitched well after a slow start. In the first inning the Javelinas picked up three hits off Munoz, including a two-run double to left by Julia Canales, to take a 2-0 lead. From there Munoz settled down and allowed just one hit over the next three innings, before giving way to Magee. Magee picked up where she left off in the first game, allowing just two hits and one walk, while striking out seven in three innings, giving the Rattlers the chance to rally.
Lauren Miller (Fr., Baytown) cut the Javelina lead in half with an RBI single in the second that scored Flores. In the fourth inning the Rattlers tied the game when Nikki Flores (Jr., Friendswood) scored on an error. The Rattlers then completed the comeback in the seventh inning. Moore reached on an infield single to lead off and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. The Rattlers then employed the double-steal with Kelcy Walker (Sr., San Antonio) taking off for second and when the throw went to second Moore came home with the winning run.
Magee picked up her second win of the doubleheader and improved to 16-2 this season. She won her 10th straight decision and extended her scoreless innings streak to 24 straight with 10 shutout innings on the day. The shutout in game one was her sixth of the season and third straight, while the complete game was her 12th in 13 starts.
With the wins St. Mary’s, ranked ninth in the nation, is now 20-4 overall and has won 12 of its last 13 games. TAMUK fell to 10-12 on the season. The Rattlers will return to action on Saturday when they host Lincoln University in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Rattler Field. The series will be the Heartland Conference opener for the Rattlers.