Box Score LAREDO, Texas – The 11^th-ranked St. Edward's baseball team swept two games from Texas A&M-International Friday afternoon at Jorge Haynes Field and moved into a tie for first place with St. Mary's at 9-5 in Heartland Conference play.
 
In game one, St. Edward's (22-9, 9-5 HC) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, plating three runs in the first inning. RANSOM LALONDE drove in one run with an RBI-double and DYLAN WATTS drove in two more with a double of his own.
 
CUTTER RUNTE would give the Hilltoppers another run in the second inning on a sacrifice fly to make it, 4-0.  KEVIN MAYO capped off the scoring in the fifth inning when he doubled home two runs for the final 6-0 margin. Mayo finished game one, 3-for-4 at the plate.
 
On the mound, it was the BRANNON EASTERLING show. The senior righthander allowed just three hits in his complete-game shutout. It was his ninth-consecutive complete game to open the season, and he lowered his ERA to 0.95 with a 5-4 record.
 
Game two saw St. Edward's race out to a 4-0 lead after the first half inning. Texas A&M-International (12-20, 4-10 HC) would get three runs back in the bottom of the first, but it was all Hilltoppers after that.
 
The Hilltoppers got single runs in the second, fourth and eighth innings, then put the icing on the cake with three runs in the ninth inning for a 10-3 win.
 
CHRIS KILLEEN led St. Edward's with three RBI on three hits, while Mayo added three more hits in game two. Mayo finished the doubleheader going 6-for-9.
 
COLLIN SHERROD (6-0) picked up the victory, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits, while striking out three in 7.0 inning of work. KYLE SEITHEL and BRYCE DAVIS pitch a scoreless inning each to finish off the victory.
 
The two teams will meet in the third and final game of the series on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Live video and stats will be available on the Dustdevil Athletic Website.
 
Heartland Conference Standings
Team                                         Conference          Overall
St. Mary's                                 9-5                            22-10
St. Edward's                            9-5                            22-9
UA Fort Smith                          8-7                            13-13
UT-Permian Basin                  7-7                            16-16
Newman                                   6-8                            13-12
TAMU-International                4-10                         12-20
Panhandle State                     2-14                         9-24
 
*Lubbock Christian                15-2                         23-8
*Oklahoma Christian             11-6                         17-9
*McMurry                                  7-9                            13-18
*Rogers State                          6-11                         13-15
* - Not eligible for conference title.