April 11, 2007
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University pounded out 24 hits, while Malissa Magee and Brittany Kettinger each picked up wins on the mound as St. Mary’s University swept a doubleheader from the University of the Incarnate Word, 11-2, 3-0, in Heartland Conference softball action Wednesday afternoon at Rattler Field.
In the first game the Rattlers smacked 16 singles, with eight of nine starters picking up at least one base hit as the Rattlers rolled 11-2. After UIW picked up a single run in the top of the first inning the Rattlers rallied to take the lead. St. Mary’s sent 10 batters to plate, with Kettinger (Jr., Azle), Lindsay Magaro (Sr., Elmendorf), Jenna Saucedo (So., San Antonio) and Sade Moore (So., Angleton) all picking up base hits in the inning.
After the Cardinals pulled to within three at 5-2, the Rattlers put the game away. They scored six more runs on seven hits, chasing starting pitcher Amanda Sparks from the game. Kettinger wrapped up the win, allowing just two runs on two hits and one walk, while striking out four to improve to 9-6 on the season.
In game two Magee (Jr., Houston) dominated to improve to 21-7 on the season. She has now won her last six starts. Magee allowed just four hits and two walks, while striking out nine. JudyAnn Gonzales fell to 4-1 with the loss for UIW.
The two pitchers held each other scoreless for 3 1/2 innings. Sarah Cooper (Jr., Houston) led off with a looping single to right-center and Kelsey Walker (Jr., San Antonio) followed a line drive to right to put runners on first and second with no outs. After the runners were moved to second and third on a sacrifice Kettinger grounded a Gonzales offering to shortstop Patty Madera, who tried to throw out Cooper at home. However Cooper beat the throw and the ball bounced away from catcher Amanda Mayfield, allowing Walker to score as well. Two batters later Magaro singled to bring home Kettinger.
With the win the Rattlers improved to 4-0 against their cross-town rivals this season. Magee saw her ERA drop to 0.63 on the season. She has allowed just one run over the last 39.2 innings of work. For the doubleheader Pederson, Cooper and Magaro each had four hits in the doubleheader, while Moore had three.
With the sweep the Rattlers improved to 33-14 overall and 10-3 in Heartland Conference play. St. Mary’s has now won eight straight games. Incarnate Word fell to 18-25 overall and 6-8 in HC play. The Rattlers will return to action on Saturday when they host the University of Texas of the Permian Basin at 1 p.m. at Rattler Field.