Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – Freshman GABLE WHITACRE took over in the starting lineup three weeks ago, and the catcher has performed well beyond his years. Wednesday was no different as he was 4-for-4 at the plate to lead St. Edward's to an 8-2 victory over Houston-Victoria Wednesday afternoon at Lucian-Hamilton Field. The Hilltoppers have now won 14 of their last 16 games.
 
Whitacre got St. Edward's (16-6) on the board first in the second inning when his one-out single back up the middle scored MILES WRIGHT for the game's first run.
 
The Hilltoppers would plate two more runs in the fifth inning on an RBI-single from CUTTER RUNTE and a sacrifice fly from WES KOENIG to make it, 3-0.
 
Hilltopper starting pitcher DALTON BROWN (3-0) was outstanding on the mound, allowing just two runs on four hits, while striking out four in 7.0 innings of work.
 
Runte would drive another run in for St. Edward's in the seventh inning on a squeeze play, and RANSOM LALONDE made it 5-2, with a two-out double to score KEVIN MAYO.
 
St. Edward's added three more insurance runs in the eighth inning on a two-RBI single from Koenig. Another would come in on a Jaguar error to cap the scoring. Koenig had another fine day at the plate, driving in three runs to add to his team-leading total of 24 RBI.
 
CODY ELLERBEE picked up the save after coming in and shutting the door on Houston-Victoria with two hitless innings of relief.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action this weekend when they welcome Heartland Conference newcomer Lubbock Christian to town for a three-game series. The two teams will square off in a doubleheader on Friday, starting at 1:30 p.m. They will end the series with a single game on Saturday with first-pitch slated for 1 p.m. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.