SEARCY, Ark. - COLLIN SHERROD returned to the mound for St. Edward's Baseball on Saturday in midseason form with five strikeouts in seven shutout innings, as the Hilltoppers rolled to 3-0 win in their 2016 season opener. Game two of the doubleheader went to Harding, 5-1.

While Sherrod threw brilliantly, GABLE WHITACRE delivered two RBI on one hit to help seal the season-opening win. Newcomer ROMEO CORTINA was also big at the plate. In two games he went 2-for-6 with two runs on a triple, and a walk. Cortina's twin brother JUAN CORTINA earned the first save of his Hilltopper career. WESLEY HARRIS finished the day with three hits, including one double and two RBI.

As a team, the Hilltoppers surrendered just two hits in game one, and combined for an earned-run average of 2.40. The offense tallied 13 hits, and four RBI. Both teams finished the day with a record of 1-1.

"Anytime you can play on the road on the first weekend of the year and beat a good team, you are happy," said head coach Rob Penders. "We did that, and wish we could've won both, but that is even harder. Overall we played very well. A couple innings got away from us in the second game, and they pitched well enough to beat us. Harding is a solid, veteran team, which presents a big challenge for us on Sunday. The series hangs in the balance, and we always feel good with CAMERON STANTON on the mound."

Game One: St. Edward's 3 - Harding 0

The 2016 season opened in typical fashion; with a pitcher's duel. After going three-up and three-down to start the game, Sherrod took care of the bottom half with two strikeouts and an assist to first base on a bunt attempt. A walk by Sherrod in the second inning did no harm, and both teams headed to the third scoreless and hitless.

The first signs of offense came in the top of the third with back-to-back hits from Harris and DYLAN WATTS. However, a line drive and a pop fly ended the Hilltoppers' hopes of scoring. The Bison managed their first hit in the fourth, but things stayed knotted at zero.

St. Edward's defense worked out of a jam in the sixth. A walk followed by a ground-ball out put a Harding runner on second, and a hit batter made it two runners on with two outs. Sherrod was able to force another grounder to third, and end the inning.

The defensive stand brought the Hilltopper bats to life. The visitors loaded the bases in the seventh, but failed to score. However, they would not be denied in the eighth. RYAN MCPHAIL led the inning off with a walk, and NATE TURNER took one for the team to put runners on first and second. HUNTER COURSON laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, and GABLE WHITACRE stepped to the plate. The junior designated hitter took a pitch up the middle to score two and break the drought. A pair of ground outs stopped the bleeding, but the damage was done.

Coach Pender's squad added insurance in the ninth on Cortina's triple followed by a Harris single. JUAN CORTINA capped things off with a line out, ground out, and strikeout to seal the deal.


Game Two: Harding 5 - St. Edward's 1

The second half of Saturday's doubleheader was scheduled for seven innings, but it only took four innings to decide the game.

Hilltopper starter BRYCE DAVIS was roughed up for two runs in the first, and one more in the second. STUART PATKE came in for the third and fourth innings, and gave up one more run. The Bison padded their lead with another run in the sixth.

The Hilltoppers lone run came in the fourth. It was ROMEO CORTINA and Harris teaming up again with the former hitting a two-out single through the left side, and Harris following up with an RBI-double.

Also appearing in relief were VINNY WHITENIGHT and ANDREW BOES. A total of 21 Hilltoppers appeared in two games, providing valuable experience for a veteran-laden squad.

Coach Penders and his team will look to clinch the series tomorrow as Stanton takes the hill for St. Edward's at 1:00 p.m. Live stats and video will be available through links at GoHilltoppers.com. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter at @SEUBaseball and on Facebook by searching St. Edward's University Baseball.