AUSTIN, Texas - The St. Edward's University Hilltoppers found themselves in a slugfest with the Texas A&M-International Dustdevils Friday afternoon at Lucian-Hamilton Field. However, the Hilltoppers potent offense, led by Joe Olson and A.J. HERMANSON, would come away with a 12-5 victory.
 
St. Edward's (33-10, 18-4 HC) responded to a quick Dustdevil run the first inning with four of its own in the bottom half. Hermanson started the action with a one-out single to centerfield and made his way to second base after the centerfielder misplayed the ball. A couple of batters later, Olson would rip an RBI-single up the middle of the infield to give the Hilltoppers a 1-1 tie. KEVIN MAYO would continue the rally as he knocked a RBI-single to centerfield, scoring Olson from second to give the Hilltoppers a 2-1 lead. After Wes Harris drew a walk to load the bases, DYLAN WATTS jumped all over a first-pitch fastball and came away with a two-run double down the left field line to cap the scoring for the Hilltoppers, 4-1.
 
St. Edward's would add to its lead in the second inning with two more runs. MILES WRIGHT made his way on base by way of a walk and he would advance all the way to third as the Dustdevil pitcher airmailed a pickoff attempt to first base. Shortly after, Hermanson smoked a single to left field scoring Wright from third. Hermanson stole second on the very next pitch, putting himself in position to score after GABLE WHITACRE lined a single off of Dustdevil pitcher Jared Curnel. With runners at the corners, Olson would protect the plate with a 1-2 count and ground into a fielder's choice, allowing Hermanson to score and extend the lead to 6-1.
 
Texas A&M-International (16-26, 7-14 HC) would add a run in the third inning to bring the score to 6-2. However St. Edward's would once again answer the bell as they scored again in the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners at second and third, Hermanson would have a key at bat in which he found himself trailing in the count 0-2. Hermanson would manage to hit a slow chopper to shortstop, which scored Wright from third to give the Hilltoppers a 7-2 advantage.
 
Andrew Arteaga would hit a two run homerun in part of the Dustdevils three-run fifth inning to narrow the lead to 7-5. Olson would not stand for that small of a lead as he would rip an RBI-single in the sixth inning to score Hermanson and make the score 8-5.
 
The Hilltoppers would continue to pour it on in the seventh inning as NATE TURNER drove in Watts and Harris with a two-run single. The speedy centerfielder Turner would steal second base and would use his speed to make his way home after a wild pitch moved him to third and the catcher's late throw skipped past the third baseman. That would bump the lead to 11-5.
 
STEVEN ROBERTSON, who entered the game to pinch hit in the sixth inning, would line a double down the line to start the eighth inning. After advancing to third on a balk, He would come around to score as Olson grounded out to short, picking up his fourth RBI on the day.
 
Colin Sherrod had the strikeout pitch working today as he fanned eight Dustdevils through five innings. The Hilltopper bullpen was electric as VINNY WHITENIGHT pitched three solid innings, striking out three batters and allowing just two hits. CAM HATCH would close it out in the ninth inning as he walked a batter before striking out two.
 
St. Edward's will celebrate its seniors tomorrow afternoon as they will graduate six players this year. First pitch of Saturday's doubleheader from Lucian-Hamilton Field will start at 1:00 p.m. Senior day festivities will occur between the first and second game. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.