March 3, 2012
JOPLIN, Mo. – There was no slowing down the St. Mary’s softball team Saturday, as the Rattlers rolled to a 2-0 start in the Missouri Southern Crossover.
St. Mary’s eked past Missouri Southern 7-5 before shutting out Central Missouri 6-0 in a dominant showing behind eight strikeouts from sophomore pitcher Maricela Bissaro (So., San Antonio).
Nicole Sardelich (Fr., Angleton, Texas) led the way in Game 2 with a 3-for-4 day at the plate that included two RBIs, while Vianna Gutierrez (Fr., San Antonio), Richelle Morales (Sr., San Antonio) and Katie Nichols (Jr., San Marcos, Texas) each drove in one run apiece in the game.
It was Sardelich also doing damage against Missouri Southern, going 1 for 3 at the plate with two RBIs. Gutierrez also had a strong showing, driving in two runs as well.
Sophomore pitcher Emily Brittain (Corpus Christi, Texas) picked up the victory with four strikeouts.
St. Mary’s trailed 3-0 early and cut it to 3-1 in the fifth, but it was a six-run sixth inning that spurred the Rattlers (12-8) to victory.
They will continue tournament action Sunday with games against Fort Hays State (11 a.m.) and Washburn (1 p.m.).