March 23, 2007
Back in Action After a Break: After playing 17 games in 10 days St. Mary’s needed a break and they got it with six days off after their series against St. Edward’s last weekend. They return to face #11 Texas A&M-Kingsville in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. The Rattlers went 9-8 over that tough stretch, including games against #6 Emporia State and #21 St. Edward’s. As a team the Rattlers continue to be strong on the mound with a 1.59 ERA, 27 complete games and 15 shutouts this season. Opponents are hitting just .208 against the Rattlers. At the plate St. Mary’s is hitting .275 with 41 doubles, 20 homeruns and average 4.1 runs scored per game. They also field .967, despite having to dramatically change their starters in the field since the start of the season.
St. Mary’s vs. Ranked Opponents: The Rattlers have gone 5-4 against nationally ranked opponents this season. They won their first four games of the season against ranked teams, defeating (#19) Abilene Christian twice and (#7) Incarnate Word twice. They fell to #6 Emporia State and dropped three of four against #21 St. Edward’s, but all four of their losses to ranked teams have come by two runs or less with two one-run decisions.
About Texas A&M-Kingsville: The Javelinas entered the NFCA rankings this week at #11 with a 25-8 record after winning seven of eight games against Abilene Christian and Texas Woman’s. They have won 12 of their last 13 games. Sally Lozano leads the way offensively with a .419 batting average and 20 runs scored. Marquesha Torres is hitting .416 with six homeruns, 30 RBI and 21 runs scored. Nora Aguilar leads the Javs on the mound with a 14-4 record, while Natalie Jones is 10-4. As a team the Javelinas have a 1.75 ERA, 22 complete games and four shutouts.
St. Mary’s vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville: The Rattlers lead the all-time series between the teams, 36-16. The teams split a doubleheader earlier this season in Kingsville, with the Rattlers winning 6-0 in game one, while TAMUK won game two 3-2. St. Mary’s also won the season series in 2006, 3-2. The Rattlers won all four meetings during the 2005 season.
Magee Strong for Rattlers in Busy Week: Malissa Magee was in top form last week, going 5-2 with four shutouts, and a 0.56 ERA in 37.1 innings of work. In the first game of the week she allowed just two hits, while striking out 10 in a complete game shutout of Lincoln. She then tossed her second straight shutout, allowing just two hits and two walks. On Thursday against Mesa State she set a St. Mary’s school record with 15 strikeouts and allowed just one baserunner to reach in a complete game one-hitter. She finished off the week with a dominating one-hitter against #21 St. Edward’s. She allowed just a base hit in the sixth inning and a leadoff walk in the first. In between she retired 15 straight batters. For the week she allowed just 15 hits, five walks and three earned runs in 37.1 innings, while striking out 43. For the season Magee is 16-7 with 16 complete games and nine shutouts in 141.2 innings of work. She has struck out 152 batters, while only walking 20 over that time.
Magee Named Heartland Pitcher of the Week for Third Time: Malissa Magee was named Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Week for third time for her play against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Trinity. Magee earned the honor for the third time in five weeks this season. Magee has already been named Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Year each of her two seasons at St. Mary’s. Magee was in top form that week, allowing just four hits over 11 shutout innings. She struck out 11 and allowed no walks as the Rattlers went 3-1 against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Trinity. In her first game of the week, she limited the Javelinas to just two hits in a complete game shutout, while striking out seven. She came on in relief in the nightcamp and allowed just two base hits over three innings. She also tossed a perfect inning against Trinity.