2015 HC Baseball All-Tournament Team

NCAA Selection Show (Sunday, 9:00 PM CST)

Championship Game Photo Gallery

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The St. Edward's Baseball team's championship aspirations were put to the test early in Saturday's contest with rival St. Mary's. The Rattlers held a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning and with a potential second game on the horizon, the Hilltoppers could have folded. However, much like you'd expect from a champion, the Hilltoppers mounted a comeback and eventually won the game in extra innings thanks to a walk-off single from NATE TURNER, 3-2.
 
St. Mary's (38-14) struck first as they produced a run with two outs in the first inning. COLLIN SHERROD was masterful from that point on, striking out eight batters in 8.2 innings worth of work. The first-team all-Heartland Conference selection retired 10-straight batters from the second until the sixth inning. Sherrod had a little bit of trouble in the eighth inning, but worked his way out of trouble after allowing an RBI-double to hold the lead to 2-0.
 
With its backs against the wall, St. Edward's (40-11) started its comeback bid in the bottom of the eighth inning. JOSEPH OLSON ripped just the second Hilltopper hit of the day to start the inning. J.D. ARROWOOD, fresh off of his 3-for-3 and six RBI effort against Arkansas Fort Smith the day before, pulled the ball down the right field line, dropping in for a hit. With runners at first and second, KEVIN MAYO laid down a bunt to advance the runners a base and give Wes Harris an opportunity to even the score. A deep drive to right field would eventually be caught for the second out, but Olson scampered home and Arrowood made his way to third. That's when DYLAN WATTS drilled a double to left field to tie the score and give the Hilltoppers life.
 
CAM HATCH would take over pitching responsibilities for Sherrod in the ninth inning. He quickly got the third out, and the Hilltoppers once again found themselves with an opportunity to score in the ninth. A.J. HERMANSON singled with one out and managed to steal second base. With two outs and Hermanson in scoring position, Arrowood would hit a hard ground ball to second base that was gathered and thrown to first for the final out of the inning.
 
The start of the 10th inning did not look promising for Hatch and the Hilltoppers. After the first batter grounded out, St. Mary's came away with two singles. Hatch brought the heat to the next batter and the sacrifice bunt attempt was popped up to Arrowood for the second out. Hatch would get the final batter to ground out to Wes Harris at shortstop to end the inning.
 
St. Edward's had to momentum and looked to complete the comeback bid in the bottom of the 10th inning. Mayo was hit by a pitch and quickly stole second base. The Rattlers were selective with Harris and eventually walked him to give the Hilltoppers two runners on base and no outs. Watts, who came through with the game-tying double earlier, laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position. CUTTER RUNTE was selected to pinch-hit, but the Rattlers elected to intentionally walk him, giving NATE TURNER and opportunity to hit with the bases loaded. After taking a first pitch for a strike on the inside corner, the Rattler closer, Connor Camacho, tried to sneak another pitch down and in. Turner was ready and whipped his bat head across the plate. Turner hit a screamer that blew past a diving third baseman and brought Mayo in to score. The 3-2 victory gives the Hilltoppers the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship for the third-straight season, and an automatic berth into the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament.
 
Along with their conference title, the awards continued to rain down on the Hilltoppers as a number of players earned All-Tournament honors. CAMERON STANTON, JOSEPH OLSON, Wes Harris, A.J. HERMANSON and GABLE WHITACRE all earned a place on the team, while J.D. ARROWOOD was honored with the Most Valuable Player award. Arrowood finished the tournament going 4-for-10 with a home run and six RBI.
 
St. Edward's will wait to hear where they will start its NCAA Tournament run. The NCAA Tournament selection show will take place on the NCAA Website via the link listed above. Air time is set for 9:00 p.m. CST