Box Score ODESSA, Texas – The 15^th-ranked St. Edward's baseball team split a doubleheader versus UT-Permian Basin Friday afternoon at Roden Field. BRANNON EASTERLING was again a hard-luck loser in game one, 2-1, as the Hilltoppers dropped game one. They rebounded in game two with a 7-1 triumph.
 
In game one, it was St. Edward's (10-6, 3-2 HC) who jumped out to the early lead. With one out in the third inning, CUTTER RUNTE reached base on a hit by pitch. After another hit by pitch and a single loaded the bases, DYLAN WATTS would bring home Runte on a sacrifice fly.
 
UT-Permian Basin (9-8, 1-1 HC) got the run back in the bottom of the third inning on a double by Neil Madsen to score a run.
 
Easterling (2-3) wouldn't allow another run, as the game would go into extra innings. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Easterling would strike out the first two batters. After a two-out walk, a failed pickoff attempt moved the runner to second. A misplay by the Hilltopper defense would allow the Falcons to score the winning run.
 
In game two, it was the Falcons who struck first. In the second inning, the Falcons led off the inning with a home run.
 
St. Edward's fought back with two runs in the third inning. MIKE DAVIS drove in one run with a single, and WES KOENIG plated the second run with a sacrifice fly. In the fourth inning, St. Edward's blew the game wide open, pushing four runs across the plate. The Hilltoppers got RBIs from Davis, Runte, MILES WRIGHT, and GABLE WHITACRE. St. Edward's would add an insurance run in the seventh inning.
 
COLLIN SHERROD (3-0) picked up the victory on the mound for the Hilltoppers, allowing just one run on two hits, while walking three and striking out four in 7.0 innings of work.
 
These two teams will square off in the third and final game of the series Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Roden Field.