VICTORIA, Texas – St. Edward's Baseball stayed hot at the plate following its home opener with a 12-1 thumping of Houston-Victoria on Saturday afternoon. The victory marks the Hilltoppers' first series sweep of the season.
 
J.D. ARROWOOD continued his tear at the plate with two runs, three RBI, and a double in a 2-for-3 performance. However, NICK LERICK stole the show with a grand slam, his second home run of the season. GABLE WHITACRE scored three runs for the hilltoppers on a double and a walk. JOSEPH OLSON also added a double to cap off the extra-base hits for the day.
 
On the mound, CAMERON STANTON cashed in his second win of the season with four strikeouts and one run on four hits in five innings of work. BRYCE DAVIS moved from starter to bullpen and struck out one in an inning of scoreless relief. LUKE GIBBONS earned a hold with one inning of one-hit baseball.
 
St. Edward's improves to 6-3 on the season, and extends its winning streak to three. Houston-Victoria falls to 1-7.
 
"It was nice to play well offensively and defensively together for a whole weekend," said head coach Rob Penders. "When we play well as a whole team, we are tough to beat. Hopefully this sweep will give our guys the experience to repeat these during season. To ensure yourself of a spot in the postseason, sweeps are necessary. Being at home now, for the next three weekends should help balance us as a team, and prepare us for conference play."
 
The Hilltoppers struck immediately in the first inning. A single by Arrowood brought home WESLEY HARRIS, and fielder's choice for ROMEO CORTINA drove in Whitacre. With a two-run buffer the visitors did not look back.
 
In the top of the third, Arrowood doubled to score Olson and Whitacre. HUNTER COURSON sent a sacrifice fly to left field and brought Arrowood across the plate. At 5-0, St. Edward's was firmly in control.
 
In the fifth, Lerick stepped in with the bases loaded, and took one ball before belting the ball over the left-field fence. Olson doubled, and scored RYAN MCPHAIL while an RBI-hit-by-pitch made it an even six runs in the fifth.
 
Houston-Victoria grabbed a run in the bottom of the fifth, but it meant nothing as STEVEN ROBERTSON drove in MILES WRIGHT in the sixth. With over a 10-run lead, the game was ended after seven innings.
 
Coach Penders and his team return to Lucian-Hamilton Field for a Homecoming series against Drury next weekend. The first game is on Friday, scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available through links at GoHilltoppers.com.