AUSTIN, Texas – KAYLA APPLEBY's solo homerun in the bottom of the seventh of game one and MORGAN LEWIS' sacrifice fly in the 11^th inning of game two gave St. Edward's Softball two wins over league-leading Oklahoma Christian Wednesday. The wins keep the Hilltoppers in the hunt for the postseason.
 
GAME 1: SEU 3 – OC 2
 
SEU took control of the game early, scoring in the first inning. Lewis kicked things off with a single and KYLIE MICA followed with a bunt single with two outs, catching the Eagles on their heels. With both runners in scoring position after an OCU error and a stolen base, LAUREN GARZA drove home Lewis with an RBI single.
 
The lead stood until the third inning when Oklahoma Christian evened the count with a series of singles. The score remained 1-1 until SEU added another in the fifth on Appleby's RBI single to left, scoring KATHRYN CONNELLY who started the inning with a double.
 
The 2-1 lead was short-lived, however, as the Eagles responded with one run in the sixth. JULISA ORTEGA and the Hilltopper defense allowed just one baserunner in the seventh, opening the door to take the win. With a 2-1 count Appleby single-handedly gave St. Edward's the win, launching the ball over the towering fence in left field for the walkoff.
 
Appleby was 3-4 from the plate with two RBI while KAROLINA RODRIGUEZ went 2-3 in game one. Ortega earned the win, scattering ten hits with two walks and two strikeouts.  
 
GAME 2: SEU 7 – OC 6 (11)
 
Both teams rode the momentum of game one into game two, with Oklahoma Christian opening the game with three runs in the first. SEU did one better, however, scoring four runs in the bottom half of the inning to lead 4-3.
 
The Hilltoppers were not satisfied and scored two runs in the second, extending their lead to three, 6-3.
 
OC was able to pull even once again with three runs in the fifth. Neither team was able to get on a roll as the game rolled into extra innings. SEU's defense held strong and sat the Eagles down in order in the top of the 11^th.
 
CALLI BIRCH drew a four-pitch walk to leadoff and advanced to second on a grounder to second by TY'ERYKA PRESTON. Connelly followed with a single to right to move Birch to third, setting the stage for Lewis. Lewis did exactly what she needed after an outstanding eight pitch at bat, sending a lofting fly ball to left field, allowing Birch to tag and score the game winner.
 
Rodriguez and Lewis both posted three hits in the win while MIKAYLA PARKER earned the win in the circle, going 4.2 inning and allowing just one hit with two strikeouts.
 
The wins improve SEU to 13-21 on the year and 9-15 in Heartland Conference play. They return to action on Friday as they hit the road to face Newman for a double-header beginning at 4 pm.