GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – St. Edward's Baseball closed its season on Sunday in the NCAA South Central Regional Championship game, falling 9-2 to Angelo State. Despite the loss, the Hilltoppers put together a season that featured new individual and team records.
 
JOSEPH OLSON accounted for a majority of the Hilltoppers offense. He went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI. KEVIN MAYO and NATE TURNER recorded St. Edward's two runs. Earning all-tournament honors were DYLAN WATTS, GABLE WHITACRE, J.D. ARROWOOD, and STUART SPRINGER.
 
On the mound, the Hilltoppers used a platoon of arms in an attempt to move on to the college World Series. However, four strikeouts in nine innings was not quite enough.
 
At 46-12, St. Edward's closes the 2016 season with the most wins in program history. The squad's 12 losses are also the second-least ever recorded. Angelo State improves to 39-20, and will represent the South Central Region in the NCAA Division II College World Series.
 
"The truth of the matter is, only one team finishes this tournament with a win, and unfortunately it won't be us," said head coach Rob Penders. "You have to tip your cap to them. They performed well, and their pitchers were outstanding today. It's just always disappointing to end this way, especially with such a talented group we had, and such a special group to me."
 
Angelo State's pitching proved to be the impetus of St. Edward's defeat. The Rams carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Olson recorded the first hit of the game.
 
In the seventh Olson came through with a hit again that brought in the Hilltoppers two runs. However, Ram's closer, Graylon Brown continued to impede St. Edward's comeback efforts. Runs for Angelo State in the first, second, fifth, and eighth innings made up the final tally.
 
Coach Penders graduates over 20 seniors off of a 50-plus man roster. The Hilltoppers will take the offseason to try and fill the holes left by graduation, and return to another regional tournament in 2017.