Box Score GEORGETOWN, TEXAS – BRANNON EASTERLING tossed a two-hit shutout to lead St. Edward's to a 6-0 victory over UA Fort Smith Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Heartland Conference Baseball Tournament. The victory pushes the Hilltoppers into the winner's bracket final versus St. Mary's on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
 
St. Edward's (37-13) opened the game in a big way. After WES KOENIG reached base on a one-out fielder's choice, RANSOM LALONDE followed with a single through the left side. DYLAN WATTS stepped to the plate and ripped an 0-1 fastball over the wall in left field for a three-run bomb. It was Watts' second home run of the season, and it put the Hilltoppers ahead, 3-0.
 
The Hilltoppers put two more runs on the board in the fifth inning. A.J. Hermanson led off the inning with a double past a diving third baseman. CUTTER RUNTE immediately followed with a double off of the right field wall to plate Hermanson. LaLonde drove in the second run on a sacrifice fly to centerfield to make it 5-0.
 
St. Edward's would tack on another run in the seventh inning when RYAN DOLEZAL singled home Koenig.
 
Easterling was his usual outstanding self, allowing just two hits, while striking out four batters in his fifth shutout of the season. It was also his 15^th complete game in 15 starts. He only needed 90 pitches to complete the nine innings.
 
St. Edward's will be back in action Saturday when they take on St. Mary's. First-pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. at Georgetown High School. UA Fort Smith will face Newman in the loser's bracket battle at 12 p.m. Live stats and FREE live video will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website. Check the Tournament Central Page for more information.