Box Score GEORGETOWN, TEXAS – St. Edward's pitcher BRANNON EASTERLING took Saturday off from the mound after his complete-game shutout over UA Fort Smith in the opening round Friday evening. On Sunday he came back from one day's rest and closed out St. Mary's for the final two innings earning the Hilltoppers a 10-6 victory, and a second-straight Heartland Conference Tournament title. The victory at Eagle Field over the rival Rattlers puts St. Edward's into the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament for the third-straight season.
 
Game 2
In the second championship game Sunday, St. Mary's (35-20) started the game hot, scoring three runs in the first two innings. The Rattlers pushed across two runs in the first on a sacrifice fly from Drake Roberts and an RBI-single by Omar Garcia. In the second inning, Al Gonzalez led off the inning with a home run to left field.
 
St. Edward's (39-14) fought back in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run from DYLAN WATTS.
 
The Hilltoppers poured it on in the third inning, tallying six runs on three hits to take a 7-3 lead. WES KOENIG drove in the first run on a sacrifice fly and Watts drew a bases-loaded walk for the first two runs. CHRIS KILLEEN singled in two more runs, and A.J. Hermanson capped off the scoring with a two-run double.
 
Both pitching staffs settled down after that, as both teams were held scoreless for the next three innings.
 
St. Mary's would not go down quietly as they battled back with a three-run home run by Drake Roberts in the top of the seventh to cut the Hilltopper lead to 7-6.
 
Easterling entered in the eighth and Keith Funk led off with a single. Then, on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Joe Hermsen, Easterling fielding it and started the 1-6-3 double play. The Hilltoppers would exit the inning unharmed.
 
MILES WRIGHT gave St. Edward's some breathing room, as his bases-clearing double pushed the Hilltopper lead to 10-6, in the bottom of the eighth. That set the stage for the celebration in the top of the ninth inning.
 
Easterling was out on the bump again in the ninth and he quickly struck out Mario Maldanado for the first out. After Roberts flied out to left field, O. Garcia ripped a pitch back up the middle. Easterling snagged the line drive and the Hilltoppers rushed the field.
 
Easterling picked up his first save as a Hilltopper, allowing just one hit in 2.0 innings of work. He was honored as the most valuable player of the tournament after the game. Joining him on the all-tournament team were COLLIN SHERROD, DYLAN WATTS, MILES WRIGHT, WES KOENIG and KEVIN MAYO.
 
GRAYSON PRATT picked up the victory in relief as he allowed two runs on three hits, while walking one and striking out two in 3.0 innings of work.
 
Game 1
In the first championship game, St. Edward's opened the game with two runs in the top of the first inning. CUTTER RUNTE led off the inning by working a full-count walk. He moved to second on a balk and scored on a single up the middle by KEVIN MAYO. WES KOENIG followed with a hit-by-pitch, and RANSOM LALONDE reached on a fielder's choice bunt to load the bases. CHRIS KILLEEN drew a one-out walk to plate Mayo for a 2-0 Hilltopper lead. Unfortunately that is all St. Edward's would get as they left the bases loaded.
 
St. Mary's got its leadoff hitter on with a walk to Brooks Orton. After Hilltopper starting pitcher DALTON BROWN struck out the second batter, Roberts lined into a double play to end the inning.
 
In a game that featured fantastic pitching on both sides, the Hilltoppers finally scratched out another run in the fifth inning. Mayo drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single by Koenig. LaLonde picked up the RBI on a single through the left side to score Mayo and make it 3-0.
 
The Rattlers came storming back in the bottom of the sixth inning. They sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs on five hits. The inning included a bases-loaded walk for one run and a balk for another.
 
St. Mary's would add another run in the seventh inning as they rallied with two outs. Scott Jones picked up a two-out RBI with a single up the middle to make it 6-3.
 
The Hilltoppers had a rally of their own in the top of the eighth. LaLonde reached on a one-out walk and Watts followed with a single to left field. After a Hilltopper strikeout, pinch hitter A.J. Hermanson drew a walk to load the bases. JOHN ALEXANDER came in to pinch hit and proceeded with a single to right field to score LaLonde. Wright stepped up next and dumped a single into centerfield to score both Watts and Hermanson to tie the game, 6-6.
 
St. Mary's would have the final say as it put up a run in the bottom of the eighth. Nathan Humpel walked to start the inning, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a single by Hermson.
 
St. Edward's threatened in the top of the ninth with runners at second and third, but came up empty to set up a second championship game between the two teams.
 
Up Next
St. Edward's will now wait and see where they will be headed for the South Central Regional Tournament. The announcement of the tournament field will be Sunday at 9 p.m. CST on ncaa.com. This is the third-straight season the Hilltoppers have qualified for the regional tournament.