AUSTIN, Texas – The St. Edward's Softball team let an early 2-0 lead slip away as they dropped the rubber match to longtime rival St. Mary's, 4-3, Thursday afternoon at Diane Daniels Field.
 
St. Edward's (17-15, 7-5 HC) jumped on the scoreboard early. KACI OLSON laced a one-out single to left field in the top of the first inning. A two-out single through the left side by KAYLA APPLEBY put runners at first and second. A big, two-out RBI-single by SAMANTHA GILMORE scored Olson for the first run of the game.
 
The Hilltoppers added to that lead in the third inning when ALEX MAYFIELD singled to third base on a bunt. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Olson. MORGAN DUFOUR would drive her in with a ground-rule double down the left field line.
 
Hilltopper starting pitcher LAUREN SLATTEN picked up where she left off after her no-hitter on Wednesday against the Rattlers. The righty held St. Mary's (28-6, 14-1 HC) hitless for the first three innings. A dropped third strike by St. Edward's allowed the fourth inning to continue. With two outs, Maricela Vasquez finally got the first hit for the visitors, and it was a big one. She tallied a two-run homer to center field to knot the score, 2-2.
 
St. Mary's took the lead in the top of the sixth inning when Raynelle Nash drove in a run with a double. The Rattlers also added a run in the top of the seventh as insurance.
 
The Hilltoppers threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning as they loaded the bases with one out. Mayfield led off with an infield single. After a groundout by Olson moved Mayfield to second, Dufour was pitched around for a walk. Appleby singled to centerfield to load the bases. A groundout by Gilmore drove in Mayfield and put two runners in scoring position, however, a groundout by SHELBY JANDA ended the threat, and the game.
 
Slatten (10-7) allowed four runs (one earned) on three hits, while walking three and striking out five in the loss.
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Tuesday when they travel to take on Tarleton State. The doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m. in Stephenville, Texas. Live stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website. The two teams split a pair of games at an earlier tournament this season.