San Antonio – Having graduated three of their top pitchers from last season, pitching figured to be a slight concern for the No. 7-ranked St. Mary’s baseball team this spring.

As Tuesday’s news from the Heartland Conference office indicates, clearly that has not been the case.

Derek Moczygemba has been named the Heartland’s Pitcher of the Week, becoming the third Rattler pitcher to win the award this season. Moczygemba (Jr., Bulverde, Texas) joins ace Carl O’Neal (Jr., San Antonio) and emerging star Rene Solis (So., San Antonio) as having won the award.

And, oh by the way, standout closer Jonathan Perez (Jr., San Antonio) leads the nation in saves with 10.

For Moczygemba, the honor came after a terrific showing against Incarnate Word last week, in which he pitched eight innings of shutout baseball in a win over the cross-town rival Cardinals. Moczygemba yielded three hits and struck out seven in his most impressive performance of the young season.

Following last season, St. Mary’s lost to graduation Heartland Conference Co-Pitchers of the Year Matt Holland and Sammy Rivas, while fellow senior Greg Herbst went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. Even without those standouts, this year’s crop of arms has excelled beyond belief.

The Rattlers are back in action today on the road against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

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