AUSTIN, Texas - After sweeping 17th-ranked Emporia State on Thursday in dramatic fashion, Friday was a different story for the St. Edward's Softball team. The Hornets defeated the Hilltoppers, 17-4, Friday afternoon in the series finale at Diane Daniels Field.

Emporia State (8-4), much like the rest of the series, got on the board first. In the top of the first inning, the Hornets were able to push across two runs without having to register a hit. After a hit by pitch and walk to lead off the inning, two wild pitches and a sacrifice fly later and the visitors were on the board with a 2-0 lead.

St. Edward's (12-8) fought back with ALEX MAYFIELD drawing a leadoff walk. KACI OLSON followed with a single to left field. After a sacrifice bunt from CAITIE CARNEY moved the runners up a base, FAITH ROBERTS drew another walk to load the bases. MORGAN DUFOUR sent a shallow fly to left field that was misplayed, allowing Mayfield to cut the lead in half.

The Hornets scored two more runs in the third inning with the benefit of three hit-by-pitches. The Hilltoppers had some more left in the tank. In the bottom of the third inning, Carney walked to lead off the inning. Roberts singled to centerfield. Dufour, who had two home runs in yesterday's doubleheader, launched a 3-2 changeup over the fence in centerfield for her sixth home run of the season. That tied the game up, 4-4.

After that, it was all Hornets, as Emporia State tallied four runs in the fourth inning and tacked on nine more in the sixth inning to invoked the run-rule victory.

St. Edward's will be back in action Wednesday when they host long-time rival St. Mary's. The fifth-ranked Rattlers and Hilltoppers will square off in a rare non-conference doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Diane Daniels Field. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.