AUSTIN, Texas – CADIE BELLE CURRIE posted the complete-game win in the pitcher's circle, and MEGAN MORRIS hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning, and to lead St. Edward's softball to a 2-1 victory over Eastern New Mexico, completing the series sweep.
Currie and her Eastern New Mexico counterpart Brook Leger went the entire way with the support of two stingy defenses.
After both teams were retired in order in the first inning, Eastern New Mexico tried to manufacture a run in the second inning with small-ball tactics. First, Currie hit Jennifer Gress to open the inning. Then, Valeria Contreras moved her over to second on a sacrifice bunt, and Edyn Lopez moved her to third on a groundout to ALEXIS MASSIE. However, St. Edward's defense held steady, and shortstop LAUREN HOYT fielded a soft pop-up to end the inning.
The Greyhounds broke through with the same formula in the third inning. Brook Leger drew a leadoff walk, Mikenzey Patterson executed a perfect bunt for a single to put two on, then Azalea Martinez moved both over with a sacrifice bunt for the first out of the inning.
St. Edward's defense saved one run when Massie fielded a hard-hit grounder at third and caught Ledger in a run down between third and home for the second out with runners in the corners. Ashley Nickerson cashed in with an RBI single to left field for the game's first run.
Eastern New Mexico made two mistakes in the third inning, and St. Edward's capitalized to tie the game. Leger hit YVONNE CASTILLO to open the inning. Then, KATIE DILLON perfectly executed a sacrifice bunt and reached safely, thanks to an error at first that put runners on the corners.
Dillon stole second with Vasquez's throw from behind the plate sailing into the outfield to score Castillo.
St. Edward's broke up Leger's no-hitter in the fifth inning, getting back-to-back singles from HAILEY SONKA and KATIE DILLON with two outs. Lopez drew a walk on a full count to load the bases, and then Morris hit a screaming line drive, but directly to Jokaira Paredes at second.
The Hilltoppers threatened again in the sixth inning with a leadoff single through the left side. However, Rena Toomey fouled out on an attempt to bunt the runner over, and Massie and Hoyt flied out to center field and third.
Eastern New Mexico put its leadoff hitter on with a walk in the seventh, but St. Edward's retired the next three hitters to get out of the inning.
St. Edward's caught a bad break in the bottom of the eighth with runners on first and second and two outs when Massie ripped a hard shot in what looked like a potential walk-off single, only to have the ball hit ELLA HUTZLER on her way to third for the final out of the inning.
The Hilltoppers caught a break in the top of the ninth with a runner on second when Massie bobbled a grounder to allow Leger to reach first but caught Paredes a few steps too far off second to get her out in a run down.
After Currie retired the side in order in the 10th, Dillon's speed proved to be the difference with a leadoff infield single. Lopez moved her over with a sacrifice bunt for Morris, who made solid contact with the ball the entire game but directly at fielders. Facing a 1-2 count, Morris finally broke through with a rip to right-center to score Dillon from second.
Dillon led St. Edward's with a 3-for-4 performance, finishing with a double, a stolen base, and the game-winning run. Hutzler was 2-for-4, HAILEY SONKA added a single, and Morris's lone hit earned the Hilltoppers the win.
The win marks St. Edward's first conference regular-season series sweep and fifth win in six games this week after taking two of three against No. 19 Oklahoma Christian. St. Edward's improves to 12-6 with a 6-4 conference record. The Hilltoppers will travel next weekend for a three-game series against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
