Box Score The Basics
-Score: St. Mary's 6, St. Edward's 2; St. Edward's 8, TAMU-International 0
-Records: St. Edward's 30-20: St. Mary's 42-13: TAMU-International 22-36
-Location: San Antonio, Texas (SAISD Softball Spring Sports Complex)
 
How it happened (Game 1 vs. STMU)
-The Hilltoppers took the quick 1-0 lead over the Rattlers. KACI OLSON scored her first run of the postseason. She got into scoring position after she singled and stole second base. LAUREN BRODE tallied the RBI with a single to centerfield.
-The defensive battle between the two schools stiffened. Each team recorded only one hit over the next three innings.
-The Rattlers ended the hitting drought and scored four runs on four hits in the fourth inning. St. Mary's added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. They led 6-1 going into the sixth inning.
-St. Edward's got on the board in the sixth inning scoring one run. MARISSA THOME crossed home plate for the Hilltoppers. Brode delivered her second RBI with a sacrifice to centerfield.
-The Hilltoppers got one hit in the seventh inning, but couldn't rally. The Rattlers remained undefeated in postseason play and picked up the victory, 6-2.
 
How it happened (Game 2 vs. TAMU-International)
-The Hilltoppers left the gates running, scoring three runs in the first inning. KACI OLSON scored her second run of the day. FAITH ROBERTS homered to centerfield, LAUREN BRODE scored on the home run.
-KATELYN KLUG did a good job of pacing the game. She only allowed four hits through the first five innings of the game, giving the Dustdevils minimal opportunities to gain momentum.
-St. Edward's piled on the runs in the sixth inning. They scored five runs on five hits and grew its lead, 8-0. ALLY VALDEZ led off with her 11^th homerun of the season. SAMANTHA GILMORE, MARISSA THOME, KENDALL LUCAS, and KACI OLSON scored the other four runs. It was Olson's third run of the day and Thome's second.
-Klug only allowed one hit in the sixth inning and the Hilltoppers took home the 8-0-mercy-rule victory and advanced to the championship round on Saturday.
 
Beyond the Box Score
-ALLY VALDEZ now jumps into a tie for third place in the St. Edward's record books with 11 total homeruns.
-The Hilltoppers have now outscored the Dustdevils 11-0 over the past two games and have won five-straight against TAMU-International this season.
-FAITH ROBERTS matched her season high total of three RBI today against TAMU-International.
-The Hilltoppers will face STMU for the fourth consecutive year in the championship round of the Heartland Conference Tournament. Last year, St. Edward's defeated IH-35 rival 2-0 in the title round, and took home the crown.
 
2013 Heartland Conference Tournament Results
 
Game 1
#2 St. Edward's vs. #3 TAMU-International: SEU 3-0
Game 2
St. Mary's vs. UT-Permian Basin: STMU 4-1
Game 3
#2 St. Edward's vs. #1 STMU: STMU 6-2
Game 4
#3 TAMU-International vs. #4 UT-Permian Basin: TAMU-International 2-1
Game 5
#3 TAMU-International vs. #2 St. Edward's: SEU 8-0
 
Up Next
The Hilltoppers will be back in action tomorrow as they take on St. Mary's for the second postseason installment of “The Battle of the Saints.” First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at the SAISD Sports Complex. The Hilltoppers must defeat the Rattlers twice to be crowned Heartland Conference Tournament Champions for the second-consecutive year. Live video and stats will be available through the Heartland Conference Website.