Box Score SAN ANTONIO, Texas – St. Edward's split on day two of Heartland Conference Tournament action and will advance to the championship game against host, St. Mary's. The Hilltoppers fell short in a monumental comeback effort against the Rattlers, falling 8-7, in the first game of the day, but took care of business in an elimination game against TAMU-International, 7-2.
 
In game one, the Rattlers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. They added three runs in the third inning to extend their lead, 5-0. The Hilltoppers responded with a run in the third inning to trim the lead, 5-1. CYDNEY ERVIN scored the run for St. Edward's. She got on base with a five-pitch walk and crossed home when ALEX MAYFIELD singled through the right side.
 
The Hilltoppers scored another run in the fifth inning, they now trailed 5-2. BREAH WHITTEN reached base by way of a walk. Whitten advanced to second during the next at bat. A. Mayfield delivered another timely single to allow Whitten to score.
 
St. Mary's added three runs in the sixth inning to build a six run lead, 8-2 over St. Edward's. The Hilltoppers found themselves with only three outs remaining and down by six runs, but they didn't shy away from the challenge. St. Edward's fell short of the comeback as they scored five runs on six hits in the final inning.
 
SAMANTHA GILMORE was the first Hilltopper to reach base with a walk. Ervin pinch ran for Gilmore. Whitten singled to left center to advance Ervin to second base. FAITH ROBERTS homered to left center field to deliver three RBI. At that point, St. Edward's trailed, 8-5 with one out in the seventh inning.
 
KENDALL LUCAS got on base with a two out single. EMILY MAYFIELD followed with a double to left center. LAUREN BRODE singled up the middle, allowing Lucas to score. Carney singled up the middle that allowed, E. Mayfield to score and cut the six-run deficit to just one, 8-7. MARISA BOGART flied out to centerfield to end the game
 
In game two for the Hilltoppers against TAMU-International, it was a big third inning that was ultimately the deciding factor. St. Edward's scored the first three runs of the game in the third to take the lead, 3-0.
 
BREAH WHITTEN singled to right center and A. Mayfield singled down the left field line to reach base. KENDALL LUCAS laid down the sacrifice bunt to advance the runners into scoring position. FAITH ROBERTS delivered her second long ball of the day for three RBI and the three run lead.
 
The Hilltoppers added a run in the fourth inning to push their lead to 4-0. LAUREN BRODE doubled to right center; LAURA ALVARADO took over the running duties for Brode. Carney put down the sacrifice bunt to advance Alvarado to third. Another sacrifice by Bogart, allowed Alvarado to cross home for the score.
 
The Dustdevils cut the lead in half during the bottom half of the fourth inning. They scored two runs on two hits to trail 4-2. St. Edward's responded with three runs in the sixth inning. The Hilltopper lead grew to 7-2 after the top half of the sixth inning.
 
CAITIE CARNEY got on base with a walk, Ervin filled in as a pinch runner. Ervin advanced to second on a sacrifice by Bogart. KACI OLSON singled to the shortstop, which allowed Ervin to advance to third. A. Mayfield secured an RBI with a single through the left side. KENDALL LUCAS added two RBI to the stat sheet with a double to left center.
 
SARAH DEBROW recorded her ninth strikeout for the final out of the game. The Hilltoppers defeated the Dustdevils for the second time in as many days, 7-2, advancing to the championship game against St. Mary's.
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action tomorrow to face St. Mary's in the Heartland Conference Champioship. Due to the double-elimination format, St. Edward's must defeat the Rattlers twice to be named Heartland Conference Champions. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m. on the campus of St. Mary's in San Antonio, Texas. Live stats and video will be available through the Rattler Athletic Website.