AUSTIN, Texas – COLLIN SHERROD pitched St. Edward's Baseball to its fifth straight win, and became the program's all-time strikeouts leader in a 9-2 win over Drury on Friday. The senior ace also moved into a tie for first in career wins with 27.
 
Sherrod pitched seven full innings, and ended the day with 10 strikeouts, moving his historic career total to 278. He surrendered just two runs on five hits on his way to win number three of the season.
 
"It feels great, but obviously it's nothing without a national championship," said Sherrod after the game. "That's what I'm working for, but it's good to have the record under my belt."
 
At the plate, the Hilltoppers provided more than enough run support as J.D. ARROWOOD went 4-for-5 with two home runs and a double. The senior first baseman also drove in two runs, and scored three. WESLEY HARRIS also sent one out of the park and ended the game 1-for-3 with two runs and a RBI. GABLE WHITACRE rounded out the multi-hit performances, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Out of the home team's 12 hits, seven went for extra bases.
 
The Hilltoppers five-game winning streak puts the team at 7-3 on the year. Drury drops to 0-1 with three more games to play on the hilltop.
 
"Collin was outstanding again which is nice," said head coach Rob Penders. "When you put up five runs and get him to settle down a little bit, it's always good. It was a good offensive day, but when Collin's on the bump we know we just need a couple usually. It was a good win to start the weekend, and now we've got three more games to take care of."
 
Drury opened the game, and their season looking like a team in midseason form. Both sides went down in order in the first inning, and it looked as if Coach Penders' squad had a battle on their hands.
 
However, in the bottom of the second, St. Edward's showed the difference that nine games can make. Arrowood led off with a double down the right-field line, and ROMEO CORTINA took the first pitch he saw to right-center field for an RBI-double. Harris advanced Cortina with a sacrifice bunt, and an error by the Panthers quickly made the score 2-0. A double for Whitacre scored three more runs, and gave the Hilltoppers a comfortable 5-0 lead.
 
Arrowood's first home run came in the bottom of the third, and it was a powerful shot to straightaway center field. Harris followed up with his home run two batters later to make it 7-0.
 
Drury grabbed a run in the top of the fourth on a wild pitch, and another in the sixth on an RBI-double. However, that was not before Sherrod collected his milestone strikeout. He had already tied the record by fanning the last out of the fifth, and the Garland, Texas native made history in the sixth, getting the Drury batter to go down swinging.
 
After breaking the record, Sherrod cashed in two more strikeouts, and the Hilltoppers scored another run. The Jaguars had no answer.
 
Coach Penders and his squad continue their home stand on Saturday with a St. Edward's homecoming doubleheader against the visiting Jaguars. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m., and live stats and video will be available at GoHilltoppers.com.