AUSTIN, Texas – Last Saturday, the St. Edward's softball team endured a three-game sweep at the hands of its long-time rival St. Mary's in Austin, Texas. That sweep gave the visiting Rattlers the Heartland Conference regular season championship. This weekend, the Hilltoppers had a chance at redemption, and redeem themselves they did. St. Edward's got a four-hit shutout from freshman Sarah Debrow to defeat St. Mary's, 2-0, in the championship game of the Heartland Conference Tournament. The victory sends the Hilltoppers to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament for the first time since 2009.

St. Edward's (29-19) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. In the first inning, Miranda Yeager led off with a single through the left side. She advanced to second on the same play as the leftfielder bobbled the ball. Meagen Bailey advanced her to third base on a single and Marissa Thome drove her in on a fielder's choice for the first run of the game.

The Hilltoppers added to their lead in second inning when Brianna Bozon led off the inning with a single. She would come in to score with a two-out single by Brittany Chaney.

Debrow took it from there, as she limited St. Mary's (34-19) to just four hits, while walking just one and striking out one batter. The freshman picked up the victory in all three wins for the Hilltoppers during the tournament. That output gained her the tournament's most valuable player honor.

St. Edward's will wait and see where they will head for the regional. The NCAA softball selection show will take place Monday at 9:00 a.m. CST on NCAA.com