AUSTIN, Texas – DYLAN WATTS hit his seventh home run of the year on Saturday afternoon, but it was not enough to push 6^th-ranked St. Edward's Baseball past No. 15 Lubbock Christian. The Hilltoppers fell 5-3 in game one, an 11-inning marathon, and 4-1 in game two.
 
WESLEY HARRIS complimented Watts' home run by finishing the day with three hits and a run scored. KEVIN MAYO and JOSEPH OLSON also finished the day with a pair of hits each.
 
On the mound, CAMERON STANTON had another quality outing, allowing just three runs on seven hits and striking out five over seven innings. However, he did not factor into the game one decision.
 
The Hilltoppers are now 24-9 overall and 8-4 in the Heartland Conference. Lubbock Christian is 22-9 and 8-4 as well.
 
"This game is so close. When you play good teams it's magnified," said head coach Rob Penders. "One little mistake or one free base, and they will take advantage of it. We gave them some free bases, and walked too many guys in the first game. In the second game we gave them one inning that allowed them to break it open. You credit Lubbock Christian, and tip your cap to them. That's the sign of a good team, and we didn't play our best today. That's why we lost two games."
 
Game One: Lubbock Christian 5, St. Edward's 3
 
After a rainy cold Friday, the opening game on Saturday found clear, sunny skies, and warmer temperatures. However, the Hilltopper bats remained cold.
 
Lubbock Christian starter, Ricky Contreras carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. At the same time, the visitors used seven hits to build a three-run lead.
 
Then, in the Hilltoppers' half of the sixth frame, J.D. ARROWOOD, Olson, and Harris strung together three-straight hits to load the bases. ROMEO CORTINA hit a sacrifice fly to score Harris, and DYLAN WATTS made the score 3-2 with another sacrifice fly that allowed Olson to score.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, St. Edward's used two more hits to tie the game at three. It was a single by Olson to the shortstop that equalized the game. Unfortunately, in a game that was scheduled for seven innings, 11 rounds of baseball proved too much as the Chaps scored two in the 11^th to even the series at one game each.
 
Game Two: Lubbock Christian 4, St. Edward's 1
 
The second half of the double dip moved much more quickly. Lubbock Christian grabbed a run in the second, and Watts tied it up in the bottom half with his home run.
 
A rash of errors by the home team allowed the Chaps to score three more in the fourth inning, and that was all she wrote.
 
STUART SPRINGER, St. Edward's game-two starter, went four innings and struck out five in the loss. BRYCE DAVIS came on in relief with three innings of scoreless, hitless work.
 
Coach Penders and his team play their first midweek game of the year on Tuesday at Texas A&M-Kingsville. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Nolan Ryan Field in Kingsville, Texas. Live stats and video will be available at GoHilltoppers.com.