AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's scored three runs in the third inning and held the Hillcats to only three hits to win game one of the three-game series 3-0 Friday.
 
Defenses were sharp from the start as neither team was able to string together hits in the first two innings. RSU got a runner in scoring position in the third but JULISA ORTEGA struck Waggnor out on three pitches to end the threat.
 
SEU rode that momentum to the plate. TY'ERYKA PRESTON singled to left and KYLIE MICA followed with a double to right center to put two into scoring position. KAYLA APPLEBY brought both runners home and reached safely on a sacrifice bunt after the Hillcat's catcher sailed her throw to first base into right field. Appleby made it all the way to third on the play and came home on a sacrifice fly to right by LAUREN GARZA.
 
After all was done the Hilltoppers led 3-0 through three and Ortega and the SEU defense took care of the rest to secure the shutout win.
 
VALERIE BRANT led at the plate, going 2-3 on the afternoon. Ortega earned the win, scattering three hits with no walks and an impressive eight strikeouts.
 
St. Edward's improves to 5-8 on the year, 2-3 in conference play with the win while Rogers State falls to 17-5 overall, 4-1 in the conference. The series concludes on Saturday with a double-header beginning at noon.