AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's junior pitcher LAUREN SLATTEN has been one of the best pitchers in the South Central Region this year, and Wednesday's effort proved that once again. Slatten struck out nine en route to her first no-hitter as a Hilltopper, defeating #9 St. Mary's, 1-0 in game two. St. Edward's dropped game one, 7-0, but rebounded for the doubleheader split at Diane Daniels Field.
 
The victory in game two handed St. Mary's its first conference loss of the season and broke its 19-game winning streak.
 
Game 1: STMU, 7-0
In the first game, both starting pitchers were dealing early. Hilltopper starter ASHLEE REX (4-4) allowed just two hits through the first five innings. The junior righthander collected eight strikeouts during those frames to keep the high-powered St. Mary's offense off balance.
 
Rattler starter Jorden Russell was equally as impressive as she did not allow a baserunner through the first 10 batters she faced.
 
St. Edward's (17-14, 7-4 HC) had its first scoring opportunity in the fourth inning. KACI OLSON reached on a one-out infield single. Two batters later, KAYLA APPLEBY laced a single to left field, but Olson was thrown out trying to go from first to third, ending the inning.
 
St. Mary's (27-5, 13-1 HC) got the scoring started in the sixth inning. After a Rattler leadoff hitter reached on an error, a single and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. A single by Marcela Vasquez brought in the first run of the game.
 
The Rattlers put up six runs in the top of the seventh inning, with the big blow coming from a grand slam by shortstop Miranda Medina for the final margin.
 
Game 2: SEU, 1-0
Game two started off with the Hilltoppers getting on the scoreboard first. In the first inning, St. Edward's got a one-out walk from Olson. MORGAN DUFOUR reached on a fielder's choice and Olson was safe at second, as she beat the throw by the shortstop. On a 1-1 count to the next batter, Dufour was caught off of the base at first. With both runners in a rundown, Olson slid in safely to third base after a drop by the Rattler pitcher on the play. A heads up play by Olson saw her swipe home with nobody covering for a 1-0 Hilltopper lead.
 
That is all Slatten (10-6) would need in the circle. The Cincinnati, Ohio native walked four, but struck out nine as only one Rattler reached second base the entire game.
 
This was the first no-hitter thrown by a Hilltopper since last season. Former hurler SARAH DEBROW no-hit Newman (4/18/15).
 
The series will resume on Thursday in a single game starting at noon. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website. The winner will get a point for their university in the yearlong Battle of the Saints competition. The Hilltoppers currently own a 3.5-1.5 lead in the matchup.