HS Baseball: Rattlers belt Killeen

KILLEEN — San Marcos didn’t wait too long to get in the swing of things.

Behind a 14-hit effort, the Rattlers posted a 19-2, run-rule win over Killeen in Monday’s season opener.

San Marcos got it started early with four runs in the second inning. One of the biggest hits of the inning was a two-run double by Jesus Rodriguez that scored Colin Gonzales and CJ Moreno. Cruz Rodriguez added an RBI single as well to bring in the final run of the frame.

Then in the fourth inning, the Rattlers tacked on six more runs on four hits. Cole Coleman, Jesus Rodriguez, Noel Zapata and Moreno all recorded knocks in the frame, while Coleman, Rodriguez, Cruz Rodriguez, D.A. Tobias, David Hamilton and Tucker Smith (courtesy runner) all crossed the plate.

San Marcos made sure the Kangaroos wouldn’t get back in the game with nine runs in the fifth. Coleman, Jesus Rodriguez, Zapata and Moreno had extra-base hits in the frame.

Junior pitcher Derrick Vasquez held strong on the mound as he allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits. Vasquez threw 77 pitches.

“This is a good start for us,” SMHS head coach Bryan Webb said. “It was good to see Derrick have a good start. Overall, we played pretty well for February. It’s a long season and it gets real tough in a hurry.”

The Rattlers host the CenturyLink Classic this weekend, beginning Thursday.