February 26, 2011
San Antonio – Kelly Baker provided the fireworks in St. Mary’s 7-4, come-from-behind victory over Abilene Christian on Saturday, smashing a go-ahead, three-run blast in the bottom of the sixth inning to cement the triumph.
But there was another moment equally as large in the sixth, one that doesn’t quite pop off a box score the same way a three-run blast does.
With two outs and the Rattlers trailing 4-3, Katie Nichols struck out looking for what should have been the third and final out in the sixth. Instead, Nichols’ heady base running and speedy feet enabled her to reach base on a passed ball.
Three batters and four runs later, the Rattlers were up 7-4 in what would become the first of two victories on the day.
St. Mary’s later blanked Abilene Christian 5-0, sweeping the doubleheader at St. Mary’s Softball Fields.
Emily Brittain (Fr., Corpus Christi) pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 2, striking out six and yielding three hits on the night. Maricela Bissaro picked up the victory in Game 1, lasting 6 2/3 innings while striking out three and walking two.
Third baseman Chelsea Wenske (Sr., Victoria, Texas) was a remarkable 6-for-6 over the two games, driving in five runs and scoring twice.
Baker (Sr., Arlington, Texas), a catcher, finished 1 for 3 in the front end of the doubleheader, while third baseman Wenske was 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the game. Bissaro (Fr., San Antonio) also drove in a run on a 1-for-2 showing, while first baseman Jared Gonzalez (So., San Antonio) drove in another run while going 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Wenske led the way at the plate in Game 2, going 3 for 3 with three RBIs. Baker and right fielder Shelly Lee (So., San Antonio) also drove in one run a piece.
St. Mary’s improved to 11-9 with the victories.