February 14, 2010
LAS VEGAS – Arlynda Flores smacked the go-ahead two-run double in the fourth inning and Taryn Munoz won her fifth game of the young season, as St. Mary’s University defeated the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, 5-3, on the final day of the Desert Stinger Classic at Majestic Park.
The win lifted the Rattlers to 10-0, the best start to a season in the 31-year history of the softball program. The 2001 team started their season 8-0. St. Mary’s tied for the team title at the Desert Stinger Classic, with Augustana College and Grand Canyon College also finishing the tournament undefeated. The Rattlers will look to extend their win streak on Friday, Feb. 19, when they travel to Durant, Okla., for the Southeastern Oklahoma South Central Shootout. They will face the University of Central Missouri in the first game on Friday at 10 a.m.
On Sunday, UCCS jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, before the Rattlers rallied. St. Mary’s picked up a run in the second inning on an error to make the score 3-2. In the fourth inning, Shelly Lee (Fr., San Antonio) singled with one out and Katie Nichols (Fr., San Marcos, Texas) reached on an error. One out later, Flores (Sr., Uvalde, Texas) smacked a double into the gap in right-center, scoring both runners, and giving the Rattlers a 4-3 lead. One inning later, Lia Provence (Jr., Bastrop, Texas) gave the Rattlers come breathing room with an RBI single that scored Melissa Sanchez (So., San Antonio).
Munoz (Sr., Bulverde, Texas) picked up her fifth win of the season, allowing 3runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, while striking out 4. Heather Haas (Fr., Shiner, Texas) had a nearly perfect relief appearance, allowing just a single, while striking out 3 in 3 innings of work to earn her first collegiate save.
St. Mary’s 5, UC-Colorado Springs 3 (Feb 14, 2010 at Las Vegas)