Box Score SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The St. Edward's baseball team's run in the 2011 Heartland Conference Tournament came to an end on Sunday as the Hilltoppers lost to #4 St. Mary's in the championship game, 8-3, at V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium.

St. Mary's (45-8) struck first with one run in both the third and fourth innings off of Hilltopper starting pitcher, Stephen Johnson (Sophomore, Boulder, Colo.).

Finally, came the bottom of the fourth inning. Daniel Homann (Freshman, The Woodlands, Texas) reached with a two-out triple down the right field line. Taylor Johnson (Sophomore, Dripping Springs, Texas) followed with his fifth home run of the season to knot the score, 2-2.

Then came the seventh inning. Hilltopper relief pitcher Dustin Johnson (Senior, Austin, Texas) had not surrendered a hit since taking over for Johnson in the fourth inning. The first three batters of the inning reached safely with hits. That chased Johnson from the game and on came Tyler Harris (Junior, Houston, Texas). A fielding error and two wild pitches later, two more runners had crossed the plate. When all was said and done, five runners had scored and the Rattlers had opened up a commanding 7-2 lead.

St. Mary's would tack on another run in the eighth inning for good measure.

Carl O'Neal (6-3) picked up the victory for St. Mary's allowing three runs on 10 hits, while walking one and striking out five batters.

Johnson (1-2) suffered the loss for the Hilltoppers, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits, while walking one and striking out one in 3.0 innings of work.

Taylor Johnson, Paul McCoy (Senior, Killeen, Texas) and Landon Patterson (Senior, Leander, Texas) were all named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts.

St. Edward's will end its season with a 27-24 after finishing second in the regular season and leading a charge that brought them back through the loser's bracket and into the championship.