PHOENIX, Ariz. – Malissa Magee tossed a one-hitter and freshman Kelly Baker smacked a three-run homerun as ninth-ranked St. Mary’s University defeated Chico State University and won the silver bracket tournament title at the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Division II Lead-off Classic, played at Rose Mofford Field Saturday afternoon.

Magee (Sr., Katy) allowed just one run in the game, an unearned run in the first inning. The only hit she allowed in the game came in the fifth inning. Only one player advanced as far as third base after the first inning. Magee improved to 10-3 this season, allowing one run on one hit and two walks, while striking out seven.

For four innings it looked as if the unearned run in the first might be enough for Chico State. However, the Rattlers rallied in the fifth to take the lead. With one out Lauren Miller (Fr., Baytown) was hit by a pitch and moved up when Sarah Cooper (Sr., Houston) reached on an infield single. After a fielder’s choice eliminated Miller, Cooper and Sade Moore (Jr., Angleton) advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. That brought up Mary K Pederson (Sr., Houston), who smacked a two-run single to right, scoring both runners and giving the Rattlers a 2-1 lead.

In the sixth inning the Rattler put the game away. With one out Chelsea Wenske (Fr., Shiner) singled and Lia Provence (Fr., Bastrop) followed with a single to put a pair of runners on for Baker (Fr., Arlington). Baker responded by smacking her second homerun as a Rattler to put St. Mary’s up 5-1.

Pederson finished the game by going 2-of-4. Provence and Cooper also recorded two hits each.

With the win the Rattlers won their third tournament title in three tournaments this season. St. Mary’s is 12-3 overall. The Rattlers will return to action on Friday when they host 6th-ranked Angelo State University in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. at Rattler Field. The games will be the home opener for St. Mary’s this season.

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