Box Score The Basics
-Score: UA Fort Smith 10, St. Edward's 6 (Game 1), St. Edward's 13, UA Fort Smith 1 (Game 2)
-Records: St. Edward's 1-1, 1-1 HC, UA Fort Smith 1-1, 1-1 HC
-Location: Austin, Texas (Lucian-Hamilton Field)
 
GAME 1
How It Happened
-St. Edward's scored single runs in each of the first three innings to jump out a 3-0 lead through three innings.
-Starting pitcher BRANNON EASTERLING was making his Hilltopper debut and only allowed one hit through three shutout innings. However, in the fourth inning, UA Fort Smith drew two walks, pounded out five hits and scored five runs.
-After five more runs by the Lions in the fifth gave the visitors a 10-3 lead, the Hilltoppers pushed across three runs in the sixth, but the rally ended there.
 
Beyond the Box Score
-TAYLOR JOHNSON was 3-for-3 in the opener with two RBI and five stolen bases. The five swipes tied a 61-year old record that was set in 1952 by A.R. Lema.
-UAFS leadoff hitter Curtis Clark was 3-for-5 and drove in a team-high three RBI.
-The loss in the season opener is the Hilltoppers' third-straight loss to UA Fort Smith dating back to last season. That included the Lions knocking out St. Edward's from the Heartland Conference Tournament. It was also the second-straight season the UA Fort Smith defeated the Hilltoppers in the season opener in Austin. (UAFS, 6-0 in 2012)
 
GAME 2
How It Happened
-St. Edward's jumped out of the gate with seven runs in the first inning off of six hits. This came off of UAFS' Brandon Taylor, who was an all-Heartland Conference performer last season with an 8-4 record and a 1.97 ERA. Taylor was the winning pitcher against St. Edward's in the Heartland Conference Tournament last season.
-The Hilltoppers continued to pour it on, scoring in each of the first five innings. St. Edward's rapped out five doubles in game two and the game was stopped due to a run-rule in the seventh inning.
-BRAD NASIS was outstanding on the mound for the Hilltoppers, picking up the complete-game victory, allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out four in seven innings on the mound.
 
Beyond the Box Score
-Nasis has won seven-straight starts dating back to last season. In 2012, Nasis was 10-5, and was recently named Preseason Second-Team All-Region by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association.
-CJ MANNING made the most of his first start in Hilltopper Blue, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and driving in another. He also had a hit in his only at-bat of game one to finish a perfect 4-for-4.
-TAYLOR JOHNSON finished the day 5-for-7 with four runs scored and four RBI, while stealing six bases.
 
Straight from the Horse's Mouth
-Head Coach Rob Penders on BRANNON EASTERLING's first start as a Hilltopper:
“It's one of those things when someone has their first start and you never know how it is going to go. You start off great then lose one batter and then they get a couple of scratch hits. Give them credit because they battled and came out ahead.”
-On success in game two:
“It is always about the next starting pitcher. We were fortunate enough to jump on a very good starting pitcher who has had success against us in the past.”
-On TAYLOR JOHNSON's play:
“He is a talented kid. Mentally, he is finally putting it all together. We have seen flashes of it, and finally he is mentally focused in doing everything he can to be a good ball player. We saw some of those results today and hopefully he keeps it going.”
-On CJ MANNING's debut behind the plate:
“CJ worked his butt off in the offseason to get his swing right and you saw the results today. Like I told the guys, he is not trying to do too much and staying within himself.”
-On Saturday's rubber match against UA Fort Smith:
“It is going to be the same thing as it was today in controlling the game on the defensive side of things. We are starting another guy who is in his first start as a Hilltopper and you never know how it is going to go until they get between the white lines.”
 
Up Next
St. Edward's will face UA Fort Smith Saturday for the third and final game of the series in Austin. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Lucian-Hamilton Field. Live Stats and Video will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.