SMHS BASEBALL
The Rattlers season came to a thrilling end last Saturday as San Marcos fell to the Laredo Alexander Bulldogs in the third game of the playoff series 7-3 after winning the second game 4-3.
San Marcos closes out the season with a 22-10-1 overall record.
After falling in Game 1 on Thursday, the Rattlers looked to bounce back against the Bulldogs as San Marcos made the long trip to the border to play at Uni-Trade Stadium.
Following two scoreless innings, the Rattlers struck first. With runners on first and second with one out, sophomore Elijah Ramirez connected with an infield RBI single to put San Marcos up 1-0.
Ramirez later stole second to put runners on second and third. Junior Landon Munoz grounded out to short stop, allowing Tres Munos to score from third and Ramirez to move to third base and put the Rattlers up 2-0.
Sophomore Jack Vasquez then hit an RBI single into left field to score Ramirez and extend the lead to 3-0.
Alexander answered in the bottom of the third inning, scoring a sacrifice fly and cutting San Marcos’ lead down to 3-1. The Bulldogs scored again in the bottom of the fourth, hitting an RBI single to make it a one-run game at 3-2.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Bulldogs tied the game at 3-3 following another sacrifice fly as San Marcos was on the brink of being swept.
However, the Rattlers were not going to go down without a fight.
Loading up the bases with no outs, Landon Munoz forced a bases loaded walk, giving the Rattlers a 4-3 lead. Despite San Marcos being unable to score any more runs, the Rattlers entered the bottom of the seventh up 4-3.
The Rattlers got two outs on a flyout to left field caught by Nate Velasquez and a pop up at second base caught by Charlie Helgeson. However, Laredo Alexander loaded up with the bases and had a chance to win the game on a walk-off.
But the chances of a Bulldog comeback were slammed shut as Vasquez struck out the batter to win Game 2 4-3 and force Game 3.
Sophomore pitcher Andrew Wilson earned the win for the Rattlers while Vasquez earned the save.
In Game 3, Munoz struck first for the Rattlers in the top of the first inning, hitting an RBI double to put San Marcos up 1-0.
The Bulldogs scored four unanswered runs in the first four innings as San Marcos entered the fifth inning trailing 4-1.
The Rattlers cut into the Bulldog lead after Vasquez hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing Helgeson to score from third and make it a 4-2 game. However, Alexander added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, pushing their lead to 6-2.
Nevertheless, the Rattlers refused to give up. In the top of the sixth inning, San Marcos loaded up the bases before Kayden Miranda was hit by the pitch, earning the RBI the hard way and making it a 6-3 game.
San Marcos was unable to score any more runs as Alexander scored one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning to seal the Rattlers’ defeat at 7-3.
With the graduation of just four seniors in Zehavi Hernandez, Mason Gamboa, Nate Blanda and Fernando Sanchez, the Rattlers will certainly be in contention for the district championship next season and potentially make a deep playoff run with over 20 returners back.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
