February 6, 2011
San Antonio – The season is still young, but the Lady Rattlers have managed to flash an unmistakable quality through just a handful of games.
They aren’t afraid of a late-game challenge.
St. Mary’s had totaled 11 runs in the fifth and sixth innings of their first three games, making a comeback seem inevitable as the Lady Rattlers packed the bases late in Sunday’s game against Incarnate Word.
But with the Rattlers putting the run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, UIW found a way to counter St. Mary’s moxie, getting a game-ending strikeout to secure a 3-0 victory at the San Antonio ISD Spring Sports Complex.
The Rattlers overcome a one-run deficit to beat Eastern New Mexico earlier in the day, wrapping up the second day of the 7th Annual St. Mary’s College Softball Classic with a 3-1 mark.
“It’s been a really good weekend,” said sophomore Jared Gonzalez, a San Antonio native. “Our team is growing. We are getting better. In time, we’ll be able to do it (come back) all the time.”
Down 3-2, the Lady Rattlers scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to overcome Eastern New Mexico. Lauren Miller (Sr., Baytown, Texas) and Shelly Lee (So., San Antonio) each produced RBI hits in the frame.
Miller went 3 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI in the game, while Lee also went 3 for 3 with an RBI. Richelle Morales (Jr., San Antonio) went 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored, while Chelsea Wenske (Sr., Shiner, Texas) went 3 for 4.
The Rattlers (3-1 overall) will wrap up the tournament against Abilene Christian at 2:15 p.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Softball Fields.