Freshman Sandy James hit a home run in each game against St. Mary's Thursday to become Angelo State's all-time single-season home run leader. James helped spark ASU (28-3) to a sweep of the Rattlers, 5-1 and 12-4, at the ASU Softball Complex.

James, a native of Kilgore, blasted her 16th and 17th home run of the season to set the new record. The previous mark of 16 home runs was set by Christel Neal in 2005. James, who has hit a home run in five straight contests, now has her eyes set on the Lone Star Conference single-season home run mark of 19 long balls, held by several individuals.

In the opener, the Rambelles struck first as junior April Haywood doubled in James in the bottom of the first inning to give ASU an early 1-0 lead. Angelo State doubled its lead to 2-0 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by junior Nicole Smith before James put the game away with a two-run home run in the fifth frame, scoring freshman Nicole Wellmann, to give the Rambelles a 4-0 cushion. ASU would add a fifth run in the sixth inning on a single by senior Macy Baker.

Junior right-hander Chelsea Nelson (16-2) earned the victory, giving up one earned run on just six hits. Nelson recorded four strikeouts and walked seven St. Mary's hitters. James ended the game 1-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI while Baker went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

In the night cap, it was the Rattlers that kicked things off with three runs in the top of the third inning. St. Mary's drew four walks in the frame, including back-to-back bases-loaded walks by Michelle Soto and Lauren Miller. However, ASU responded in the bottom of the inning, using two St. Mary's errors and three hits, including a bases-loaded bunt single by Smith.

The Rambelles took the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Baker hit her sixth home run of the season, scoring Frye, to give ASU a 5-3 advantage. St. Mary's would then cut the lead back to one run in the top of the fifth on a solo home run by Chelsea Wenske.

ASU then broke open the contest with a five-run fifth frame. Frye started the scoring with a bases-loaded walk and James helped the Rambelles pull away with her third grand slam of the season. Angelo State would secure the run-rule victory with an RBI double by freshman Amanda Pape and a sacrifice fly by Frye in the bottom of the sixth.

Haywood (11-1) picked up the win, giving up four earned runs on nine hits in the night cap. Haywood collected three strikeouts and issued six walks. James would go 2-for-4, extending her hitting streak to 12 games, with four RBI and two runs scored while sophomore Alix Dean recorded the first four-hit performance by a Rambelle this season, going 4-for-4 from the plate with two doubles.

St. Mary's fell to 15-18 on the season after dropping both ends of the doubleheader.

The Rambelles will return to LSC South Division play over the weekend with a three-game set at No. 23 West Texas A&M. The two teams will play two games Saturday at 1 p.m. and a final game at 1 p.m. Sunday in Canyon.