Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's softball team opened up Heartland Conference play with a 4-1 victory over Newman Friday afternoon. Pitcher SARAH DEBROW's seven strikeouts led the way. The Hilltoppers needed only four hits to score the four runs. Newman committed three errors, including two costly ones in the fourth inning.
 
St. Edward's (12-8) scored two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. CYDNEY ERVIN was hit by a pitch and took first base. A single by BREAH WHITTEN to shortstop advanced Ervin to second. Whitten and Ervin successfully executed a double steal as each runner advanced a base. Next, FAITH ROBERTS singled to left field to score Ervin. Whitten would also score on the play off a throwing error by the Newman catcher.
 
Still in the first inning, the Hilltoppers loaded the bases when CAITIE CARNEY singled through the right side and EMILY MAYFIELD was hit by a pitch. LAUREN BRODE would reach on a fielder's choice, but Roberts was thrown out at home by the first baseman. Next, MARISA BOGART would reach on a fielder's choice, but E. Mayfield was tagged out by the third baseman to end the inning.
 
St. Edward's added a run in the third inning to make it 3-0. KENDALL LUCAS singled up the middle and proceeded to steal second. Lucas would advance to third off a wild pitch. Another wild pitch by the Newman pitcher would allow Lucas to score.
 
The Hilltoppers extended the lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning. With two outs, KACI OLSON hit a line drive that bounced off the left fielder's glove. The speedy Olson advanced to third on the play. Olson would score when Ervin reached on a fielding error by the first baseman.
 
Newman scored a run in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 4-1. Buck reached on a fielding error by Lucas. Buck advanced to second off a single to third base by Medbery. Cromer singled up the middle to advance Medberry to third and to score Buck. Cromer tried to reach second on the play but was thrown out by the Hilltoppers catcher, Roberts.   
 
Debrow registered seven strikeouts and allowed no earned runs in a full game's work. Debrow improves to 7-5 on the year.
 
St. Edward's will resume action on Saturday when they host Newman for a doubleheader. Games at Diane Daniels Field will begin at 12:00 p.m. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.