Baseball | 5/9/2015 12:27:00 AM

Box Score SAN ANTONIO, Texas - St. Edward's had a game to remember Friday afternoon against the Lions of Arkansas Fort Smith. The Hilltoppers pummeled the Lions with a 22-hit barrage and ultimately won by a score of 22-1 to earn a spot in the Heartland Conference Championship Game on Saturday.

St. Edward's (39-11) tallied three runs in the first inning thanks to a J.D. ARROWOOD homer that brought home GABLE WHITACRE and JOSEPH OLSON. They would tack on two more runs in the third inning as NATE TURNER scored from third base via a balk and Whitacre would hit a one-out sacrifice fly to score A.J. HERMANSON just three pitches later. 

With the score at 5-0, St. Edward's looked to break open the game in the fifth inning. The Hilltoppers loaded the bases with no outs and Arrowood delivered a sacrifice fly to bring Hermanson into score. KEVIN MAYO stepped to the plate and dropped in a single down the left field line to score Whitacre and bring JOSEPH OLSON to third base. DYLAN WATTS hit a ground ball to the pitcher, which scored Olson for the third run of the inning. CUTTER RUNTE extended the lead with a double to right center, scoring Wes Harris and Mayo to give the Hilltoppers a 10-0 lead. 

St. Edward's would pour on three more runs in the sixth inning with RBI singles from Olson, Arrowood, and scored via a wild pitch. Through his seven innings of work and 13 runs of support, BRYCE DAVIS was nearly flawless. Davis allowed just four hits to the Lions, did not walk a single batter and struck out two Lions in what was arguably his best outing of the year. 

The seventh inning would prove to be another fruitful inning for the Hilltopper offense as NATE TURNER singled up the middle and Hermanson was hit by a pitch. Whitacre would once again drive a single to the outfield to score Turner and extend the lead to 14-0. Olson would follow Whitacre's lead and he singled to right field to score Hermanson. Arrowood smacked a screamer to shortstop for a single and Whitacre would come around to score. Mayo would give the Hilltoppers their fourth-consecutive single to load the bases. Wes Harris hit a liner to right field that dropped just in front of the right fielder. The right fielder misplayed the ball and the Hilltoppers managed to score two runs off of the play. Head Coach Rob Penders would call on JONATHAN DAVIS to pinch-hit and his ground out to second base would bring Mayo home to push the lead to 19-0. 

With the game in hand, St. Edward's went back to work in the eighth inning looking to extend its advantage. After a Hermanson single to left field, STEVEN ROBERTSON drew a walk to put runners at first and second. DANNY OFIELD made the most of his at bat as he ripped a single to left field to load the bases. Hermanson would score via a wild pitch and Arrowood would draw a walk to load the bases once again. Mayo hit into a fielder's choice to score Robertson and Harris hit one final RBI single to cap the scoring for the Hilltoppers. 

The Lions would score their lone run in the eighth inning, however GRAYSON PRATT and STUART PATKE combined to give up just two hits over the final two innings to clinch the 22-1 victory. 

St. Edward's will face long-time rival St. Mary's in the championship game as the Rattlers defeated UA Fort Smith in the nightcap, 8-4. The Hilltoppers will have two opportunities to earn the Heartland Conference crown as the Rattlers already have a loss. First pitch from Dickson Field is set for 12:00 p.m. Live video and stats will be available on the Rattler Athletic Website.