SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The first two days of the St. Mary's DII College Classic didn't go quite as planned for St. Edward's, as it struggled at the plate. The Hilltoppers used their final game to show what kind of fight the team really has, as it defeated Colorado School of Mines, 3-2, in eight innings Sunday morning.
The early-morning start had the bats silent on both sides, as neither team were able to get on the scoreboard in the first four innings. St. Edward's (2-3) had two chances to score as they left two runners on base in both the third and fourth innings.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Colorado Mines (0-5) finally got on the board as Kara Jones supplied the pinch-hit RBI-single.
The Hilltoppers tried to answer in the top of sixth inning, but after a leadoff single by
KAYLA APPLEBY,
MORGAN DUFOUR's sacrifice bunt was popped up and Appleby was doubled off of first to squash the rally.
Down to its last at-bat, St. Edward's was not to be held back. Back-to-back singles to start the inning by
KACI OLSON and
BREAH WHITTEN placed runners at first and second. A sacrifice bunt by Nicole Burdick moved the runners up a base.
ALEX MAYFIELD followed with an infield single to shortstop as she outran the throw to first. Pinch-hitter
SHELBY JANDA hit a ball just in front of the plate and the catcher could not make the play. A run scored as everyone moved up a base. A line-out double play killed the rally but not before the Hilltoppers tied the game, 1-1.
In extra innings, St. Edward's had first crack. With
SAMANTHA GILMORE placed on second, Appleby sacrificed her to third base. After
SHELBI ROOHMS popped up to shortstop, the Hilltoppers were down to their last out.
MEGAN HOFFMAN was hit by pitch to put runners at first and third. Olson, the senior second baseman, came up huge with a double to right center field to score both runners. That sent the game to bottom of the eighth.
The Orediggers were able to get one run in on a groundout, but relief pitcher
LAUREN SLATTEN was able to get a strikeout to end the game.
Slatten (2-1) was excellent in relief as she allowed one unearned run on two hits, while striking out five in 4.0 innings of work.
OLIVIA BURDICK, who started the game, was no slouch herself. The freshman hurler allowed one run on just one hit, while walking one and striking out another in 4.0 innings of action.
At the plate, Mayfield, Olson and Whitten all tallied two hits.
"Today's win was a total team effort," head coach Lindsay Gardner said. "It was fun to watch the girls get in there and compete. We had some huge defensive plays and found a way to get the victory. I'm excited to build on what we accomplished today!"
St. Edward's will be back in action next weekend when it travels south to compete in the Emerald Beach Hotel Tournament hosted by Texas A&M-Kingsville. They open up tournament play Friday at 3:30 p.m. against Texas A&M-Commerce. They will follow that with a 6:00 p.m. matchup against Black Hills State (S.D.). Live stats will be available on the Javelina Athletic Website.
