The Rattler February 10, 2010 v. 97 #7 - St. Mary's University

02-10-10THEHOTSEATSports The Rattler 20www.stmurattlernews.comSOFTBALL TEAM SHOWSPROMISE AT INVITATIONALPhoto by Miriam CruzFeaturing:Jonathan “JP” PerezClassification: SophomoreMajor: Political SciencePosition: PitcherHow long have you been playingbaseball?I have been playing baseball since Iwas 3 years old.What is your favorite thing aboutplaying baseball for St. Mary’sUniversity?What I like most about playingbaseball for St. Mary’s University isdefinitely the relationship that isshared amongst the teammates.I could not ask for a better groupof guys to be surrounded with.Who is your favorite baseballplayer and/or athlete and why?My favorite baseball player isTim Lincecum because he is oneof the most talented pitchers inthe Major League and he lets hisabilities do the talking for him.What plans do you havefor after you graduate?My dream is to play professionalbaseball, but I also plan to attendlaw school.What is your greatest baseball momenthere at St. Mary’s University?My greatest baseball moment atSt.MU would have to be when I wasawarded First Team All Conferencefrom the Heartland Conference asa freshman.What other activities or groupsare you involved with on campus?I am a member of the fraternitySigma Phi Epsilon.By Robin JohnsonSenior Staff Writer“From the get-go” wasthe women’s softball team’sopening chant during the NCAADivision II College Classic kickoff game – and they did exactlythat.The Rattlers brought hometheir first win of the season ina 2-1 victory over East CentralUniversity at the San AntonioIndependent School DistrictSpring Sports Complex on Feb.5.Senior pitcher Taryn Munozrounded out the seven inningswith five strike outs, one walkand one unearned run.East Central scored their onlyrun in the first after a double andhoped to score a second whenan East Central Tiger roundedthird, but the Rattler defensivetrapped her in a pickle betweenthird base and home plate,limiting the Tigers to a one rungame.The Rattler’s strong defensivegame shut down East Central infour innings of 3-up, 3-downwith shortstop junior RichelleMorales catching two pop-upsin the fourth inning.St. Mary’s offensive gameinto play at the bottom of thethird with a lead-off single fromjunior outfielder Lia Provenceand two stolen bases advancingher to third base after two wildpitches.Outfielder junior LaurenMiller got a free base afterfour balls but earned a steal tosecond. First basemen seniorArlynda Flores stepped upto the plate with two Rattlerson base and with a 3-1 count,plummeted a double to centerfield racking up two RBIs asProvence and Miller crossedthe plate giving the Rattlers a2-1 lead.Both teams played skilleddefensive games the last threeinnings with only two earnedbases for both sides, the Rattler’sbeing a single from catcherjunior Kelly Baker in the bottomof the sixth inning.From the get-go, the St.Mary’s softball team shows theteam unity and chemistry thatpredicts a winning season, withtheir first victory already undertheir cleats.The Rattlers face their firstopponents of the regular seasonin a five game stretch in LasVegas starting Feb. 12.Compiled by Veronica MartinezThe Rattler softball team huddles together on the field beforethe game against East Central University on Feb. 5. Photos byRobin Johnson