TUCSON, Arizona – The #16 Rattlers of St. Mary's pushed across four runs in the opening inning and never looked back as they topped the top ranked Lady Buffs of West Texas A&M, 7-1 on Sunday afternoon in the semifinals of the NFCA DII Leadoff Classic in Tucson, Arizona. The Lady Buffs fall to 3-1 overall while the Rattlers improve to 5-0.
 
The Rattlers gained the momentum early as Nicole Sardelich singled up the middle to leadoff the game followed by a bunt single, St. Mary's flew out to deep right center field to move the runners up 60 feet followed by a hit-by-pitch to load the bases with one out. The Rattlers got on the board first just two pitches later as a passed ball scored the runner from third followed by a three run homerun to right center by Vianna Gutierrez for the 4-0 lead.
 
St. Mary's added to their lead in the top of the third inning as the long ball came into effect again with a Taylor Vidrine solo homerun to left field with one out to stretch their lead to 5-0 headed to the bottom of the third inning. The Lady Buffs registered their first hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning as Lacey Taylor singled to center field with two outs but a flyout would end the threat and the inning with the Rattlers leading 5-0.
 
The Lady Buffs plated their only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning as Tori Bayer registered her first career homerun as the junior pinch-hitter sent a full count offering deep over the center field fence to cut the lead to 5-1. The Rattlers would add two more runs in the top of the seventh inning as a Lady Buff error allowed a pair of runs to score to end the game, 7-1.
 
Rita Hokianga picked up the loss (2-1) in the circle for the Lady Buffs, giving up five runs (four earned) on four hits with no walks and three strikeouts in her four innings of work while Kilee Halbert finished off the last three innings allowing two runs (both unearned) on two hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
 
The Lady Buffs advance to the consolation game against the #3 Red Storm of Dixie State who fell to Central Oklahoma earlier in the day, 2-1. It will be a rematch of last year's National Semifinals. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT.