SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Late inning rally falls short as Cameron drops the opener of a 4-game series at St. Mary's on Friday night 9-7.
Cameron entered the weekend needing to get back on track to make a run at the Lone Star Conference postseason, but the Rattlers used a big 4-run inning in the middle of the series opener to come away with the win to kick off the weekend.
The Rattlers scoring started early as they scored single runs in the first and second innings off CU starter and ERA leader entering the weekend,
Tyler Cornett. Cameron got one of those runs back in the fourth as
Ryan Allen doubled in
Jayce Clem.
Cameron took the lead in the top of the fifth thanks to a clutch 2-out
Beau Williams homer with Clem on base, making it 3-2. That lead was short-lived as the Rattlers put up the four runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 6-3 lead.
After a scoreless sixth, the home team added another run on a wild pitch in the seventh. Cameron answered in the next half inning with
Ryan Carter scoring on a wild pitch and
Julian Macias driving in
Nik Sanchez. StMU came right back and matched the 2-run frame in the bottom of the eighth.
Down 9-5, the Aggies tied to mount a ninth inning rally as singles by Clem and
Tyler Coleman and a Rattler error loaded the bases. Allen drew a walk for another RBI and then after a strikeout of Carter, Sanchez brought another run home on a fielder's choice. Unfortunately for the road team, St. Mary's got the final our via another strikeout to end the game 9-7.
Cameron tallied eight hits in the loss and stranded 11 runners on base. Macias provided three of those hits at the top of the order while Clem was 2-5 with three runs scored and Williams scored twice and drove in a pair for the Aggies.
Cornett's issue with command cost him as he walked five batters and allowed three hits while giving up six earned runs; the CU leader in strikeouts punched out three Rattler hitters.
Kalen Haynes threw the final three innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits and five walks as well.
Now 11-22 overall and 11-20 in conference play, the Aggies will look to tie and then take a series lead on Saturday as the two teams meet again at Dickson Field for a 7-inning doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.
