Rambelles taste bitter defeat after a sweet victory

On Monday, March 18, the Angelo State University Rambelles softball team took on the St. Mary's University Rattlers in a doubleheader, winning the first game 2-0 and losing the second 5-6.

The Rambelles took the first inning with sophomore fielder Layni Tanner hitting a fly out to center field, followed by a pop-up to the shortstop by junior outfielder Carter Smith. With freshman utility Laylonna Applin fouled out, the Rambelles’ first inning concluded. The Rattlers’ inning saw them load the first two bases with a play by the Rambelles, pass from shortstop to third base, to out the Rattlers’ player heading to third base. The Rattlers’ inning concluded with a flyout in right field and two players on base, with a tied score of 0-0.

The Rambelles’ second inning began with a strikeout of sophomore infielder Tatiana Trotter, followed by a single up the middle by senior catcher Keilei Garcia for first base. With junior pitcher/infielder Averie Gunther and junior infielder Erin Plunkett having flyouts, the Rambelles’ inning concluded with a Rambelle left on base. The Rattlers’ second inning started off with a groundout, followed by a single through left field. Following a single to left field and the Rattlers’ first base holder taking second base, a double play by the Rambelles, shortstop to third base to center, gave them two outs, ending the inning 0-0.

The Rambelles’ third inning didn't play out well, as the inning saw three consecutive outs. Junior third baseman Zoey De Baca had a groundout, senior outfielder Ashton Dirner fouled out and Tanner was lined out. StMU started with a Rattler walking first base and then stealing second base. After another Rattler walked to first base, a single bunt let the Rattlers load all bases. The Rattlers’ third baseman's run to home plate ended in an out, with first and second base still loaded. The Rattlers’ inning concluded with an infield fly and a line out with three players still on base for a score of 0-0.

The Rambelles’ fourth inning commenced with a single by Smith and Applin getting a flyout, followed by a walk to first base by Trotter and an advance to second base by Smith. A grounding into a double play by the Rattlers concluded the Rambelles’ inning with two outs and a Rambelle left on base. The Rattlers' fourth inning ended quickly as they had three consecutive outs, a pop-up to second base and two flyouts, with a score of 0-0.

The Rambelles’ fifth inning led off with Gunther fouled out and Plunkett lined out, followed by a walk to first base by De Baca. The Rambelles’ inning concluded with Dirner grounded out and a Rambelle still on base. The Rattlers’ fifth inning kicked off with a walk to first base followed by two grounded outs and a lined out, ending their inning with a Rattler still on base and the score 0-0.

The Rambelles’ sixth inning began with Tanner lined out and a walk to the first plate by Smith. Following a single by Applin and an advance to second base by Smith, Trotter doubled to left field, opening the opportunity for Applin to reach the third plate and Smith to score the game's first run. With Garcia grounded out, Trotter took third base and Applin scored the Rambelles’ second run. The Rattlers’ sixth inning saw two lined outs and a foul out, ending their inning with a 2-0 score. 

The Rambelles’ final inning ended swiftly with two grounded outs and a pop-up, leading 2-0. The Rattlers’ final inning opened with a flyout, followed by a groundout. After a single bunt down third base for first base, a foul out ended the game 2-0.

The victory against the StMU Rattlers placed the Rambelles at a 24-9 overall standing. Unfortunately for the Rambelles, their following game against the Rattlers would end in a 5-6 loss.

The Rambelles took the first inning of the second game, beginning with Tanner grounding out and Smith striking out. After a single by Applin for first base, Trotter was hit by the Rattlers’ pitcher, giving her first base as Applin advanced to second base. A walk to first base by Garcia placed Trotter at second and Applin at third. A single by Gunther for first base allowed Garcia to advance to second base as Trotter and Appline scored two runs for the Rambelles, concluding the Rambelles’ inning 2-0 with a Rambelle still on base. The Rattlers’ first inning saw a Rattler steal a base after a muffed throw, followed by a single, loading first and second base. Both players went on to steal a base, reaching second and third. After a strikeout and a flyout, the Rattlers got their first run on the scoreboard. A grounded out would end their inning with a score of 2-1 with a Rattler still on base.

The Rambelles’ second inning didn't go well for them as they had three consecutive outs, ending their inning swiftly. Unfortunately for the Rattlers, their second inning wouldn't go any better, seeing as after a single for first base, a double play and a strikeout would end their inning abruptly.

The Rambelles’ third inning saw Tanner grounded out, followed by a walk to first base by Smith. Applin took first base with a single, with Smith taking second base. The Rambelles’ inning concluded with a double play by the Rattlers, taking out Trotter and Smith with a Rambelle still on base. The Rattlers’ third inning kicked off with a groundout and a single to first base. The Rattlers went on to load first and third and score a second run for a tie. The Rattlers stole a base, loading second and third, followed by a double to center field for first base, allowing second and third base to score two more runs for the Rattlers. The Rattlers’ following batter was given first base after being hit. After a ground out, second and third base were once again loaded. Their inning concluded after a flyout with two Rattlers still on base and a score of 2-4.

The Rambelles’ fourth inning kicked off with two groundouts for Garcia and Gunther, followed by a walk to Plunkett to first base. The Rambelles’ inning concluded with freshman catcher Abby Brand striking out, with a Rambelle still on base. The Rattlers’ fourth inning didn't go well as their first three batters were struck out, flied out and grounded out, concluding their inning 2-4.

The Rambelles’ fifth inning opened with Dirner grounded out, followed by Tanner striking out. After a walk to first base by Smith, the Rambelles’ inning would conclude after Smith was caught trying to steal second base. The Rattlers’ fifth inning started with a walk to first base, followed by three consecutive outs, ending their inning with a Rattler still on base and leading 2-4. 

The Rambelles’ sixth inning kicked off with Applin grounded out, followed by Trotter striking out and reaching first base on a wild pitch. After a fielding error by the Rattlers, Garcia pinch ran by outside fielder/catcher Laynee Crooks and reached third base as Trotter scored the Rambelles’ third run. With Gunther reaching first base, Crooks scored the Rambelles’ fourth run for a tie. After a walk to first base by Plunkett, Gunther took second base. Plunkett went on to take second base on a wild pitch, with Gunther taking third base. After a walk to first base by Brand, Dirner took a walk to first base too. As Brand took second, Plunkett took third and Gunther scored the Rambelles’ fifth run for the lead. Tanner took first base, Dirner took second, Brand took third and as Plunkett reached home she was taken out. The Rambelles’ inning concluded with Smith lined out, three Rambelles still on base and a 5-4 lead. The Rattlers’ sixth inning led with a single, followed by an out at first as second base was taken. The Rattlers’ inning concluded after two grounded outs, with a Rattler still on base and the Rambelles’ still leading 5-4.

The Rambelles’ final inning started with Applin taking first base after being hit, followed by Trotter getting a flyout. The Rambelles’ inning came to an early end with Garcia striking out and Gunther getting flied out, with a Rambelle still on base and leading 5-4. The Rattlers’ final inning kicked off with a single for first base, followed by a steal for second base. During a grounded out, the Rattlers’ second baseman took third base. After taking first base, a Rattler took second during a throwing error, alongside a fifth run scored by the Rattlers for a tie. A double to left field gave the Rattlers’ third baseman the opportunity to score the winning run, concluding the game 5-6 with a Rattler still on base.

The loss against the StMU Rattlers placed the Rambelles at a 24-10 overall standing. On Friday, March 22, the Rambelles will take on the Western New Mexico University Mustangs in two back-to-back home games at Mayer Field for Military Appreciation Weekend.