AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's Softball nearly logged their second run-rule victory over a nationally-ranked opponent this season, defeating #24 Angelo State 7-0 in game one before falling 3-2 in game two.
GAME 1: SEU 7 - ASU 0
JULISA ORTEGA was sharp in the circle in the opening inning, striking out three of the first four batters. SEU showed their appreciation with two runs in the first. KATHRYN CONNELLY opened the game with a first-pitch double and was eventually brought home on KYLIE MICA's RBI single. SEU added another on a Ram error to lead 2-0 through one.
ASU seemed poised to even the count and then some in the top of the second, loading the bases with no outs. Ortega settled in, however, getting two ground outs and one strikeout to get out of the jam and keep the Rams off the scoreboard.
KAYLA APPLEBY started the SEU offense up again in the fifth, driving home Morgan Allen all the way from first base with a double to right center. Mica followed with a bomb off the left field fence, scoring Appleby. By the end of the fifth the Hilltoppers had pushed their lead to five, 5-0.
A series of singles in the sixth added two more Hilltopper runs to push the lead to 7-0. Ortega had all the breathing room and confidence she needed heading into the final frame. Angelo State made an attempt at a comeback, getting two base runners with one out, but Ortega again got out of the jam unscathed, closing out her third shutout of the season.
Ortega struck out 10 while scattering seven hits to improve to 4-6 in the circle on the year. Mica led at the plate, going 3-4 with three RBI and two runs.
GAME 2: SEU 2 – ASU 3
Mica continued her work at the plate in game two, scoring MORGAN LEWIS from first with a shot to left center. ASU's Fogle evened the count 2-2 with a line drive homerun to open the top of the second and the Rams added two more runs in the third to lead 3-2.
St. Edward's had opportunities in the middle innings to push across runs, but were unable to do so until the sixth inning where LAUREN GARZA drew a walk to leadoff the inning. TY'ERYKA PRESTON came into pinch run and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Preston then moved to third on a single by VALERIE BRANT, putting the tying run on first with no outs. SHELBY JANDA's slow roller to second brought home Preston, but resulted in a double-play to give ASU two crucial outs. KLARISSA GARCIA singled to keep the rally going, but a nifty play by the second baseman got the force out at second and the final out of the inning, sending ASU into the top of the ninth with a one run lead, 3-2.
KEELY FRAZIER sat the Rams down in order, allowing the Hilltoppers to get back to work at the plate. With one out, Morgan Allen reached on an error to put the tying run on base. Allen moved into scoring position when Mica took a pitch to the ribs with two outs. Garza hit a laser to left field that just happened to be right at the Ram defender, allowing ASU to survive in game two with the 3-2 win.
Garcia and Lewis both posted two hits in the game to lead at the plate while REAGAN CARTER suffered the loss in the circle.
SEU moves to 10-19 on the year with the split. The Hilltoppers are scheduled to host Texas A&M International on Friday and Saturday for a three-game series, but be sure to check GoHilltoppers.com as dates and times may change due to weather conditions.
