AUSTIN, TEXAS – The St. Edward's baseball pitching staff helped finish off a sweep of Rogers State Saturday afternoon by allowing just three hits in a 9-1 drubbing of the Hillcats. The victory on Saturday, coupled with a St. Mary's loss to Oklahoma Christian gives the Hilltoppers the outright Heartland Conference Regular Season Championship for the third time since joining the league in 2000 and the first time since 2008.
 
Rogers State (17-27, 10-20 HC) got on the board first when they got a gift of a run in the second inning. After Logan Palmer reached as a leadoff with a hit by pitch, a single by J.P. Seifried put runners at first and second. Hilltopper starting pitcher DALTON BROWN tried to get the lead runner on a bunt at third. His throw went into left field and the Hillcats were on the board.
 
CHRIS KILLEEN knotted the score, 1-1 in the fourth inning when his double scored DYLAN WATTS from first base. In the fifth inning, St. Edward's plated four runs. Watts drove in the first two with a single, and the final two came in on a wild pitch and Rogers State error. That put the Hilltoppers in control, 5-1.
 
After MILES WRIGHT reached base with a one-out single, AJ HERMANSON launched his first home run of the season, over the left centerfield wall. RANSOM LALONDE led off the seventh inning with a double. He came into score on a sacrifice fly by Killeen. KEVIN MAYO drove in the final run of the game with a two-single in the eighth inning.
 
KYLE SEITHEL (3-2) picked up the win in relief, allowing just one hit over four innings of work.

"It was great to clinch the conference title today on our home field," head coach Rob Penders said. "We played some of the best baseball of the year this weekend. Out team put a lot of work into making this title a reality. This is the type of baseball we hope to carry into postseason play. If we do, we will be a touhg team to deal with."
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Friday when they host McMurry for a three series. First-pitch for the Friday doubleheader is set for 7:30 p.m. Live video and stats will be available for all three games.