Box Score Celebration Pics
The Basics
-Score: St. Mary's 1, St. Edward's 2
-Records: St. Edward's 38-15: St. Mary's 37-15
-Location: San Antonio, Texas (Sullivan Field)
How it happened
-The Rattlers drew first blood and took the quick 1-0 lead during the first inning. In the inning, St. Mary's got two early hits and left two on base.
-The Hilltoppers came close to drawing even and/or taking the lead during the second inning. The Rattlers walked three batters during the inning, but St. Edward's couldn't get on the board leaving all three runners on base.
-St. Edward's knotted the score, 1-1 in the third inning. C.J. Manning got things started with a double down the left field line.
NATE BOBROWSKI doubled up the middle that brought home Manning for the score.
-The Hilltoppers took the lead in the following inning.
DYLAN WATTS doubled to left field. Watts advanced to third on a
JOE PIROZZOLO bunt.
RYAN DOLEZAL grounded out to third base, but Watts was able to cross home plate for a 2-1 lead.
-The defense by the Hilltoppers became stingy minimizing the chances for the Rattlers to respond. The St. Edward's pitching staff only allowed four hits in the three innings and the Hilltoppers beat the Rattlers in consecutive days to take home the title.
-St. Mary's would rally in the ninth inning getting a one out single from Billy Richards. Richards would steal second base. Mario Maldonado singled through the right side but Richards was held to third base as the Hilltoppers got the ball in quickly. Hilltopper closer A.J. Rataic came on in relief and got pinch hitter Keith Funk to ground into a double play. That sent the Hilltoppers into a frenzy with a dog pile behind the mound.
Beyond the Box Score
-This is the first time since that the Hilltoppers have won the Heartland Conference Tournament Title. St. Edward's will now advance to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament for the second-straight season and third time in school history.
-Six Hilltoppers earned All-Heartland Conference Tournament honors.
TAYLOR JOHNSON won the Most Valuable Player award.
-PAUL SMITH earned his fifth victory of the season. He is now tied with
MATT DAVIS and
CODY ELLERBEE for the second highest number of wins on the team.
-TAYLOR JOHNSON and
CJ MANNING are leading the conference with 69 and 68 hits on the season.
Heartland Conference Tournament, San Antonio, Texas (Incarnate Word)
Thursday, May 9th
G1 - #2 St. Edward's def. #3 UA Fort Smith, 15-14
G2 - #1 St. Mary's def. #4 TAMU-International, 5-1
Friday, May 10th
G3 – TAMU-International def. UA Fort Smith, 4-3
G4 – St. Edward's def. St. Mary's, 14-6
Saturday, May 11th
G5 – St. Mary's vs. TAMU-International, 9-3
G6 – St. Edward's def. St. Mary's, 2-1
St. Edward's earns automatic bid to NCAA DII South Central Regional
2013 St. Edward's Heartland Conference All-Tournament Members
IF:
RANSOM LALONDE, SEU
IF:
DYLAN WATTS, SEU
C:
CJ MANNING, SEU
P:
PAUL SMITH, SEU
DH:
MARSHALL BURFORD, SEU
MVP:
TAYLOR JOHNSON, SEU
Up Next
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on May 15, to take part in the NCAA Regional Round. The official announcement will be released on Sunday to disclose the location of the tournament and seeds. You can watch the selection show live online at ncaa.com Sunday evening at 9 p.m. CST.
