The Heartland Conference

Heather Haas was the winning pitcher in both games, helping St. Mary's University to a sweep of games against Midwestern State University and Texas A&M University-Kingsville in softball action on the final day of the St. Mary's NCAA Division II College Classic, played Sunday afternoon at the San Antonio Independent School District Spring Sports Classic.

In the Rattlers first game, against Midwestern State, St. Mary's took an early 3-0 lead, only to see the Mustangs rally to tie the game in the sixth. Haas (Fr., Shiner, Texas) came on in relief with one out and the bases loaded in the sixth and retired two of the next three batters to get the Rattlers out of the inning. That gave St. Mary's the chance to rally in the seventh. With two outs, Kelly Baker (Jr., Arlington, Texas) walked and Haas followed with a single. That brought up Christina Rodriguez (Fr., San Antonio), who doubled home Baker to give the Rattlers the victory.

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Arlynda Flores smacked a two-run double and Taryn Munoz scattered four hits over seven innings, helping St. Mary's University to a 2-1 win over East Central University in softball action on the first day of the St. Mary's NCAA Division II College Classic, Friday at the San Antonio Independent School District Spring Sports Complex.

Munoz (Sr., Bulverde, Texas) allowed just one unearned run in the game on four hits in the seven-inning complete game. She walked one and struck out five in picking up the win. ENMU starter Randee Crocket nearly matched Munoz, but Flores (Sr., Uvalde, Texas) lined a 3-1 pitch into the gap in right-centerfield, scoring both Lauren Miller (Jr., Baytown, Texas) and Lia Provence (Jr., Bastrop, Texas) to give the Rattlers the lead.
 

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The St. Edward's University Hilltoppers have been chosen to win the 2010 Heartland Conference softball championship.  The poll was chosen by the leagues' head coaches and sports information directors.

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St. Mary's University softball player Arlynda Flores was named first team All-American by Daktronics as a utility player for her play during the 2009 season, it was announced by the organization today.

Flores (Jr., Uvalde) received first team All-American honors for the first time as a utility player for her work as a pitcher and first baseman. She hit .401 with 15 doubles, 24 homeruns, 72 RBI and 56 runs scored at the plate. On the pitcher's mound she had 14-13 with a 3.51 earned run average, 10 complete games, three shutouts and 88 strikeouts in 199.2 innings of work. Her 24 homeruns currently has her tied for third in the nation. The total also tied the St. Mary's single-season school record, while her RBI total is a new school record.

The first team All-American pick is just another in a string of awards for Flores. She was named Daktronics first team All-South Central Region for the second straight season. Flores was named first team All-Heartland Conference and was Heartland Conference Player of the Year. She also earned Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week honors four times this season.

As strong off the field as on, Flores was named CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District for her work on the field and in the classroom. Flores has a 3.66 grade point average and is a double major in Mathematics and exercise and sports science. She is also active in the community at St. Mary's, helping with Habitat for Humanity and is a member of the Heartland Conference President's Honor Roll.

Flores is the 41st Rattler to earn All-American honors and the 16th since the Rattlers moved to NCAA Division II in 2001. Malissa Magee was a second team honoree by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and a third team Daktronics selection last season. The Rattlers last first team All-American honoree came during the 2005 season when both Elizabeth Beyer and Veronica Garcia received first team honors from the NFCA.

The team is sponsored by Daktronics Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition. The team is voted on by the members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Flores was one of just two Heartland Conference honors to earn All-American honors and the only league members to earn first team recognition.

The Rattlers finished the 2009 season with a 32-32 overall record and were second in the Heartland Conference standings. The Rattlers return six starters for the 2010 season.

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