Game 1  ::  Game 2

SAN ANGELO, Texas – In a nonconference doubleheader against St. Mary's on Tuesday, the No. 1 ranked Angelo State softball team utilized the left arm of Mary Kate McKay and clutch hitting from Lauren Smith to earn a 4-1 win in Game 2 to secure the split. The Rambelles suffered their first loss at the ASU Softball Complex in Game 1, as the Rattlers earned a 7-4 victory.
 
McKay was in control from the opening pitch for Angelo State (26-6) in Game 2, as the sophomore allowed just four hits and one earned run in her 20th appearance of the season. The Madill, Okla., native kept the ball down, forcing 11 groundouts and striking out five in 7.0 innings of work.
 
The run support came in the sixth inning, which was jump started by a pinch-hit, lead-off double by Amanda Wilhelm. The junior took a fastball up over the plate and drove it to the alleyway in right-center for her fifth double of the season.
 
“They had been pitching a lot of my right-handed teammates inside, but she left one up and I was able to make good contact,” said Wilhelm.  
 
After a Jasmaine Moore infield single, Lauren Smith drove one to the right-field wall for a stand-up, two-run triple. The Waxahachie native later scored on a suicide squeeze laid down by Kacie Easley for the final run of the game (4-1).  
 
“We came out flat in the first game and did not play Angelo State softball, but we responded in Game 2,” Angelo State head coach Travis Scott said. “After struggling in the first game like that, that's what you want to see as a coach.”  
 
The Rattlers (22-16) took advantage of some early ASU miscues and jumped to a 2-0 lead in Game 1. The Rambelles battled back and eventually took a 3-2 lead through five innings. The lead was short lived however, as St. Mary's scored five runs over the next two innings to earn a 7-4 victory.
 
The Rattler's Emily Brittain (10-3) picked up the win after throwing 7.0 innings and allowing nine hits and striking out one. Claire Molina (15-3) took the loss, despite striking out seven and allowing walking one in 7.0 innings of work.
 
Angelo State returns to Lone Star Conference action on March 30-31 against Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Friday's game is a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.