March 8, 2011
STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The Rattlers’ 11-game winning streak told plenty about the makeup of St. Mary’s baseball team, but a bigger statement might have come Tuesday night.
Back on the field for the first time since seeing their massive streak snapped, the 13th-ranked Rattlers showed they’re not about to slow down anytime soon.
Hammering one of the nation’s best teams, St. Mary’s run-ruled No. 15 Tarleton State 17-2 at Cecil Ballow Field.
Centerfielder Jason Garcia (Sr., Falfurrias, Texas) and third baseman Reagan Moczygemba (Sr., Bulverde, Texas) drove in five runs apiece, while Skye Severns improved to 3-0 on the season after pitching six of seven innings.
One of three Rattlers to cross home plate three times, Garcia went 4 for 4 with two home runs on the day. Designated hitter Greg Herbst (Sr., San Antonio) also scored three runs and homered twice on a 3-for-5 outing, while shortstop Esteban Raygoza (Jr., San Antonio) scored three times and had one RBI.
St. Mary’s improved to 16-4 overall with the victory.
The Rattlers jumped on Tarleton State almost from the start, scoring four runs in the top of the second to take an early 4-0 lead. Nine more runs in the fourth basically put the game away with a 13-1 edge.
That fourth inning saw Moczygemba, Garcia and Herbst all homer, and Garcia and Herbst each added another home run in the sixth.
St. Mary’s is ranked 13th in the recent Collegiate Baseball Newspaper poll.