Box Score SAN ANTONIO (April 23, 2016) – St. Mary's (Texas) stranded a whopping 16 baserunners on Saturday afternoon against Oklahoma Christian, but the Rattlers came through in a pair of clutch situations to win the game and the baseball series.

Donnie Perez's two-run single in the sixth inning proved to be the difference as St. Mary's beat the Eagles 4-1 at Dickson Stadium, giving the Rattlers the win in the series' decisive third game.

OC (25-17, 14-7 Heartland Conference) lost a league series for only the second time in seven tries this baseball season. The Eagles remained in third place in the league standings, but fell three games behind the leader, St. Edward's (Texas), and two behind second-place Lubbock Christian (Texas). OC will host Lubbock Christian next week in another critical league series.

Traditional league power St. Mary's (26-18, 11-10) remained in fifth place as the Rattlers scramble to try and qualify for the four-team Heartland postseason series.

Bryan Ramirez tripled and scored for the Rattlers in the first inning, but the Eagles tied the game in the fourth, when Kyle Lacy doubled to right field and Ben McKenzie followed with a triple to right. McKenzie was stranded at third base, though, after Jared Sterling grounded out and Austin Orth struck out.

Jonathan Ramirez opened the St. Mary's sixth inning with a bunt single off OC reliever Tanner Foster (0-1). Bryan Ramirez sacrificed Jonathan Ramirez to second base before Matt Smith walked with two outs. Dylon Sturges relieved Foster and walked Jake Kaiser to load the bases before Perez singled to left field, scoring Jonathan Ramirez and Smith.

In the seventh, Jonathan Ramirez reached on an infield single before scoring on a double by Bryan Ramirez to put the Rattlers up 4-1.

OC's only other major threat came in the ninth against St. Mary's starter Cole Hybner (5-4). McKenzie reached on an error to lead off and one out later, Orth's infield single brought the potential tying run to the plate.

Zac Cobble grounded into a fielder's choice, putting runners on first and third base. Trent Rousseau relieved Hunter and struck out Alex Polston to end the game and pick up his third save.