The top of the order was clicking on Saturday for UT Permian Basin Baseball, recording six of the team's eight hits and drove in all seven runs.  Nick Hernandez started game with a bang, launching a first inning three-run home run.  The junior now leads the team eight homers and 37 RBI, just two ahead of teammate Jay DeSoto, who had an RBI-double to bring his total to 35. 
 
The offense got going early with back-to-back walks to DeSoto and yesterday's hot bat Garret Thornton.  Hernandez followed with a three-run blast to left center for the early 3-0 lead.  The Falcons added to the lead in the second.  Walks to Michael Clapperton and Pemron Burrows set the Falcons up with two-on and two-out.  DeSoto then doubled to left for a run and the early four-run lead.
 
After the offense went quiet for the middle portion of the game, they woke up in the seventh.  Clapperton started things off with a single through the left side.  Burrows followed with a walk and DeSoto singled to load the bases with nobody out.  Thornton doubled down the leftfield line to plate two.  Hernandez followed with a sac fly to right center to bring in another run.  It wasn't enough as the Rattlers plated eight in the sixth for the 17-7 final.
 
DeSoto and Hernandez had two hits each while DeSoto also scored twice.  Hernandez had a team-high four RBI while Thornton drove in a pair.
 
The Falcons return to Odessa next weekend for the final home series of the season.  They'll host Lubbock Christian starting on Friday.  Download the UTPB Athletics App for the latest news and schedules on all your favorite Falcon teams.