Box Score AUSTIN, Texas – LAUREN BRODE hit her second homerun of the season and St. Edward's defeated its rival St. Mary's, 7-2 on a sunny Friday afternoon at Diane Daniels Field. The Hilltoppers improve to 29-22 overall and 12-10 in Heartland Conference play.

St. Mary's drew first blood, scoring one run in the first inning to take the quick 1-0 lead. The Hilltoppers quickly responded with two runs during the bottom half of the second inning and led 2-1 after one inning. BREAH WHITTEN scored the first run of the game after she got on base with a single. KENDALL LUCAS recorded the RBI later that inning.
 
ALEX MAYFIELD scored the second run of the inning when she stole home. Mayfield got on base with a single to third base. She advanced to third on two singles by teammates Lucas and EMILY MAYFIELD. The play, which was a triple steal, was their first of the season.
 
St. Edward's added to its lead during the second inning. LAUREN BRODE connected on the payoff pitch and drove it over the left field wall for the solo shot. The Hilltoppers led 3-1 at that point. The Rattlers got the run back in the third inning, trimming the lead, 3-2.
 
St. Edward's extended its lead to 4-2 in the bottom half of the third inning. KENDALL LUCAS recorded her second hit of the afternoon with a single through the right side. She scored from first base when EMILY MAYFIELD doubled to left center.
 
The offensive firepower slowed down for an inning and a half until the Hilltoppers scored two runs in the fifth inning to stretch their lead to 6-2. Lucas earned her third hit with a single through the left side. She advanced to third with an EMILY MAYFIELD double. FAITH ROBERTS had a two-RBI single up the middle, allowing Lucas and E. Mayfield to score.
 
St. Edward's scored its final run and put the exclamation point on the game in the sixth inning. SAMANTHA GILMORE started the inning with a single. CYDNEY ERVIN took over as pinch runner. KACI OLSON double through the left side, allowing Ervin to score and give the Hilltoppers the 7-2 lead and the victory over their rival.
 
SARAH DEBROW picked up her 16^th win of the season pitching the entire game. She only allowed two runs and struck out six batters during the contest. 
 
St. Edward's will be back in action tomorrow against St. Mary's for their final regular season home doubleheader. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. at Diane Daniels Field on the campus of St. Edward's. Live stats and video will be available through the Hilltopper athletic website.