COMMERCE, Texas – St. Edward's Softball stunned #2 Texas A&M-Commerce Wednesday, outscoring the nationally-ranked Lions 14-4 in the double-header including the Hilltopper's first run-rule victory of the year.
GAME 1: SEU 3 – TAMUC 4
St. Edward's once again allowed a big first inning which proved to be the difference in game one. The Lions scored four runs in the first with three coming off a home run to left field.
The Hilltoppers responded in the second, getting one run back off the bat of
KAROLINA RODRIGUEZ whose grounder brought home
LAUREN GARZA. SEU's defense settled in and held the Lions scoreless the rest of the way.
KYLIE MICA's homer to left field drove in Garza once again to pull the Hilltoppers within one run, 4-3, in the fourth inning.
SEU seemed poised to score the equalizer with bases loaded in the fifth, but were unable to push the tying run across.
Garza led at the plate, going 1-1 with two walks and two runs scored.
OLIVIA BURDICK suffered the loss while
JULISA ORTEGA entered the circle in relief and threw superbly, allowing just one hit and no runs in 5.2 innings of work while walking one and striking out three.
GAME 2: SEU 11 – TAMUC 0
St. Edward's got off to a much better start in game two, holding Texas A&M-Commerce scoreless and allowing their offense time to get hot. The Hilltopper offense posted three runs in the third, taking advantage of a steady stream of walks before unloading for eight runs in the sixth including a grand slam from Mica.
Not only did the Hilltoppers bat around in the inning, but every hitter reached safely.
REAGAN CARTER was outstanding on the mound, allowing no runs on two hits with just three walks and seven strikeouts to earn the complete game shutout. Mica led at the plate with five RBI while Connelly went 2-3 from the plate with two runs and one RBI.
The Hilltoppers move to 3-7 on the year while Texas A&M-Commerce drops to 17-3 overall. SEU opens their home schedule on Saturday, facing Heartland Conference opponent Newman for a double-header beginning at noon.
