September 30, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas – For nearly three innings, St. Mary’s looked poised for the upset. Then the University of Texas flexed its muscle.
Overcoming an early one-run hole, the Longhorns scored 15 unanswered runs against the Lady Rattlers’ softball team in a 15-1 exhibition victory Friday at McCombs Field.
St. Mary’s outfielder Shelly Lee (Jr., San Antonio) singled off All-American pitcher Blaire Luna to drive in shortstop Richelle Morales (Sr., San Antonio) in the top of the second inning, giving the Rattlers a 1-0 lead.
But UT got going, scoring seven runs in the third and six in the fifth.
Rattlers ace Emily Brittain was tagged with the loss, giving up six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched. The Longhorns’ staff recorded nine strikeouts on the night.
The Rattlers recorded three hits, with Morales and designated player Laura Benavidez following Lee’s early single.
St. Mary’s went 36–21 last season in winning the Heartland Conference and advancing to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tournament for the 10th time in 11 years under coach Donna Fields.