LAREDO – NATHAN MEDRANO hurled eighth shutout innings to lead St. Edward's to a 6-3 victory over Texas A&M International in the opening game of a Heartland Conference series on Friday at Jorge Haynes Field.

The Hilltoppers (23-25, 9-10 HC) picked up single runs in each of the first two frames and then struck for three in the eighth and one in the ninth to back up Medrano's gem. The Dustdevils managed three runs off reliever JACOB MCROBERTS in the ninth.

Medrano held Texas A&M International to five hits over eight strong panels to improve to 3-4 on the year. The right-hander struck out five, hit two and walked one in the series opener.

St. Edward's started its scoring in the first, as RYAN MCPHAIL led off the game with and infield single and then scored three pitches later on DYLAN MACKIN's double to the right-center field gap.

The Hilltoppers doubled their advantage a frame later, as AARON SIGAL laid down a squeeze bunt that allowed MORGAN ALLEN to score from third base.

BLAKE HOLUB led off the eighth inning with his team-leading eighth home run of the season. After reaching on a two-out single, Allen scored on ZACH SCHINDLER's double to right center. TY MARKEE then followed with an infield single which moved Schindler to third base. An errant throw then allowed Schindler to score the third run of the stanza.

McPhail capped St. Edward's scoring in the ninth with a solo homer, his sixth of the campaign.

After the Dustdevils scored three runs in the bottom of the inning, KOEHLER VANDAMENT was called from the bullpen to record the final two outs. Vandament also picked up his team-leading fourth save of the season.

The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday to wrap up the series. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.




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