CANYON, Texas – J.D. ARROWOOD had a big day at the plate for St. Edward's Baseball, but it was not enough as West Texas A&M pushed past the Hilltoppers, 8-3.
 
Arrowood went 3-for-4 at the plate with his third double of the year, one run, and two RBI. JOSEPH OLSON and ROMEO CORTINA also scored for the Hilltoppers. RYAN MCPHAIL accounted for the remaining RBI.
 
St. Edward's falls to 2-3 on the year after opening the season with a series victory over Harding. The Buffs improve to 2-0 with both wins coming at their own home tournament.
 
"Like I said yesterday, we are not performing up to our capabilities on offense right now," said head coach Rob Penders. "West Texas A&M played offense the way we want to. They worked counts, hit fastballs in fastball counts, and fought with two strikes. We are not efficient at any of those yet, and that is why they came out on top. Having COLLIN SHERROD out of the rotation has taxed our bullpen this weekend. Tomorrow we look forward to a solid start from CAMERON STANTON, and hopefully a better offensive effort, and, in turn, a better output.
 
ERIC HESTER started the game for St. Edward's on the mound and gave up a run early in the first on a West Texas A&M home run. After a 1-2-3 second inning, the Hilltoppers responded back with a run of their own.
 
In the top of the third, Arrowood led off with a double, and then advanced to third on a one-out passed ball. NICK LERICK stepped to the plate and came up in a big way with a two-out triple to left-center field, tying the game at one.
 
In the bottom of the third, an error by the Hilltopper defense allowed a run to score, giving the lead right back to the Buffs. However, the visitors remained unfazed.
 
JOSEPH OLSON opened the fourth with a single through the infield, and ROMEO CORTINA joined him on base with a walk. A second walk to WESLEY HARRIS loaded the bases, and a single from Arrowood brought in two, making it 3-2, Hilltoppers.
 
A scoreless fifth inning and uneventful sixth made it seem as if the comeback story was in hand, but West Texas A&M had other ideas. A pair of runs in the seventh reversed St. Edward's lead, and four more in the eighth put the nail in the coffin.
 
On the mound the going was rough, as GRAYSON PRATT was the only Hilltopper pitcher to come away with no runs surrendered. CAM HATCH was given the loss in an extended relief appearance of three innings with five strikeouts, two runs, and one walk. VINNY WHITENIGHT's inning of work was inefficient, and Pratt recorded the final two outs, striking out one.
 
Penders and the Hilltoppers close up shop at the Buffs' tournament on Sunday with a game against Colorado Mines at 12:30 p.m. Live stats will be available through links at GoHilltoppers.com.