LAREDO, Texas – LAUREN SLATTEN continued her Heartland Conference dominance as she tossed a two-hit shutout in game one of St. Edward's doubleheader split with Texas A&M-International on Friday afternoon. The Hilltoppers took game one, 2-0, before falling in the second game, 6-1.
 
Game 1: SEU, 2-0
In the first game, St. Edward's (18-18, 8-6 HC) had seven hits through the first 4-plus innings but could not come up with the big hit. The Hilltoppers were 0-for-8 at the plate with runners in scoring position. Finally, in the fifth inning, St. Edward's loaded the bases on two singles and a hit batter. KAYLA APPLEBY came up with the big hit as the freshman outfielder knocked a single just in front of the left fielder to plate two runs.
 
That would be all that St. Edward's would need, as Slatten was outstanding in the circle for the Hilltoppers. The junior right-hander, fresh off of her fourth Heartland Pitcher of the Week award, was on point from the beginning.  She allowed just two hits in the game, and only two runners reached second base. She struck out seven batters, and walked just two in her fourth shutout of the season.
 
Appleby, ALEX MAYFIELD and MORGAN DUFOUR led the Hilltopper offense with two hits each.
 
Game 2: TAMIU, 6-1
Game two was a different story as TAMU-International (19-24, 7-7 HC) tallied 10 hits. St. Edward's, however, got on the board first.
 
In the third inning, BREAH WHITTEN led off with a single. After a sacrifice bunt, Mayfield also singled to put runners at the corners. After Mayfield was thrown out trying to steal, NICOLE PARNELL singled to center field for the game's first run.
 
The Dustdevils put up three runs in the third inning, and three more in the fifth inning to take a 6-1 lead.
 
St. Edward's tried to respond with two hits in both the fifth and sixth innings, but came up empty both times.
 
OLIVIA BURDICK (3-5) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits, while walking two and striking out one.
 
"Although we split with TAMIU today, I feel good about how we are making adjustments at the plate," head coach Lindsay Gardner said. "We are getting more consistent at-bats out of our entire lineup and giving ourselves more opportunities to score. I was happy to see Lauren's confidence continued to grow on the mound and look forward to everyone continuing with the positive momentum in the rubber match tomorrow."
 
The two teams will play the rubber match of the series on Saturday at Noon. Live video and stats will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.