Junior Jack Vasquez threw a no-hitter, striking out a career high 16 batters as the Rattlers completed the sweep of the Cibolo Steele Knights winning 9-1 on the road.
The win improves San Marcos overall record to 16-9-1 overall and 6-3 in district to take second place. Steele falls to 9-12-2 overall and 4-3 in district play.
The Rattlers scored first in the top of the second after loading up the bases on two Steele errors and a single by Landon Munoz.
Cole Wiatrek hit an RBI single to score Munoz at third and give the Rattlers a 1-0 lead. After Steele got their first out on a fielder’s choice, Juan “Tres” Munos laid down the sacrifice bunt to score Miguel Garcia at third while reaching first base safely to put San Marcos up 2-0.
Steele scored in the bottom of the third on a Rattler error but San Marcos struck back in the top of the fourth.
Following a leadoff RBI triple by Nate Velasquez, Munos hit an RBI single to score Velasquez and extend the lead.
Later in the at-bat, the Rattlers loaded up the bases following a walk by Elijah Ramirez and a bunt by Vasquez. Charlie Helgeson connected with a two-run RBI double, putting San Marcos up 5-1.
Back to back sacrifice flies by Munoz and Andrew Wilson scored two more runs in the fourth as San Marcos finished their at-bat up 7-1.
Velasquez connected his hot start at the plate, connected with a lead-off home run in the top of the fifth inning. Later in the seventh, Velasquez hit another home run, this time an inside-the-park homer to deep center fielder, making it a 9-1 San Marcos lead.
Going into the bottom of the seventh, Vasquez looked to finish the complete game no-hitter despite reaching his pitch count. Though the junior had a walk in the Steele at-bat, Vasquez shutdown the Knights with three strikeouts to seal both the win and the sweep of the Knights.
In addition to the four innings he threw against the Converse Judson Rockets, Vasquez has thrown 11 innings while allowing a combined no hits, no earned runs, five walks, and striking out 24 batters.
Velazquez led the offensive charge for the Rattlers, 3-4 from the plate with one triple, two home runs and two RBIs.
San Marcos will be on a bye during district but will play two non-district games this week. The Rattlers will start with a road game against the Austin High Maroons.
First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. at Austin.
District Standings
- Schertz Clemens 7-0
- San Marcos 6-3
- Cibolo Steele 4-3
- Buda Johsnon 4-3
- NB Canyon 4-4
- East Central 2-7
- Converse Judson 0-7
Friday Scores
San Marcos 9, Cibolo Steele 1
Buda Johnson 17, East Central 3
NB Canyon 7, Converse Judson 1
