SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Regis University softball team (1-4) opened the St. Mary's Tournament with a 10-1 loss to No. 22 St. Mary's University on Thursday afternoon.
 
How It Happened: The Rattlers scored three runs on three hits and two errors in the bottom of the first inning to force Regis to battle from behind. The Rangers responded in the top of the third with a run of their own. Sophomore Jaiden Johnson reached base on a fielding error and advanced to score an unearned run on an RBI double by senior Melissa Heronema to cut the score-line to 3-1.
 
RU turned a 3-2 double-play to retire the third inning with no damage done. Senior Breana Pearsall got into scoring position by stealing second base but was unable to make it to third before the inning was retired.
 
Regis gave up an inside the park homerun to begin the bottom half of the fourth. In total, they faced 11 batters in the inning as St. Mary's put up seven runs on just three hits to stretch their lead to 10-1. The Rangers sent three pitchers to the pitching circle before getting out of the inning.
 
RU had to score two runs in the top of the fifth inning to avoid the eight-run mercy rule, but they were quickly shut down by the Rattlers defense. The game ended after just 4 ½ innings.
 
Game Notes: Heronema (1-2, RBI) and sophomore Analece Apodaca (1-2) were the only Regis batters to record a hit. The Rangers left four runners stranded through five innings.  
 
Senior Logan Losh (1-2) received the loss after pitching 3.2 innings and allowing eight runs on six hits.
 
Up Next for the Rangers: The Regis University softball team will play their second and third game of the St. Mary's Tournament tomorrow, February 9. The Rangers will face Eastern New Mexico University at 9 a.m. and end the day against Texas Woman's University at 1:30 p.m.