February 19, 2012
ODESSA, Texas – The hits came when they needed, as did the quality pitching in the Rattlers’ 5-3 victory over Texas-Permian Basin on Sunday that completed the series sweep of their Heartland Conference foe.
Brandon Bates Bates (Jr., Boerne, Texas) drove in two runs to lead an offensive attack that saw St. Mary’s jump to a 4-0 lead on the strength of a three-run fifth inning.
Skye Severns (Sr., Claremont, Calif.) picked up the victory on the mound after pitching 5.1 quality innings, while closer Jonathan Perez (Jr., San Antonio) again entered late and proceeded to do his deal, picking up save No. 7 after pitching one scoreless inning with one strikeout.
Tyler Migl (Sr., San Antonio) went 3 for 4 at the plate with one RBI, while Billy Richard (Jr., Schertz, Texas) wrapped up his fantastic series with a 3-for-5 showing. Bates went 2 for 5 with a run scored.
The Falcons (1-8, 1-5 in Heartland) threatened the Rattlers (9-2, 9-0) late with a three-run sixth inning but were unable to erase the early 4-0 hole. Bates drove in an insurance run in the ninth on a single up the middle that gave St. Mary’s a 5-3 lead.
St. Mary’s will return to action Tuesday when it hosts Tarleton State in a non-conference game at Wolff Stadium. Opening pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.