AUSTIN, Texas – First–years JERZIE PELHAM and KYLEN PADGETT delivered clutch performances, and the St. Edward's Hilltopper defense overcame windy, rainy conditions to defeat the Texas A&M International Dustdevils 2-1 to open the three-game series.
After a breakthrough road series against Western New Mexico in which she hit 7-for-10 with four RBI and three runs scored, Pelham carried over the momentum into today's game.
The freshman catcher from Dickinson, Texas, fell behind 0-2 in her first time at the plate but fouled off multiple pitches to extend the at-bat until Texas A&M International starting pitcher Erika Cortez left a ball over the plate. Pelham capitalized on the mistake and punctuated it with a two-run blast over the left-field fence for her second collegiate home run.
Those two runs were enough for a St. Edward's defense that kept the errors column of the box score clean despite the muddy uniforms and deteriorating conditions of the field.
Starting pitcher MCKENNA LEAMON was solid in 6.2 innings, striking out five hitters and surrendering only one earned run. The Hilltopper defense retired the side in order in the second and fourth innings. Leamon fought through adversity when Texas A&M International threatened, stranding two runners in the third and three in the fifth, and struck out Eva Garcia with a runner on third to end the sixth.
Leamon picked up two quick outs in the seventh, getting Katelyn Luera to ground out to short, walking Bridgette Montes, then striking out Kristin Maldonado. However, Texas A&M International battled back with back-to-back singles from Kristy Alanis and Kennedy Griego, with Griego driving in Montes to cut the deficit in half. St. Edward's head coach Leah Glasgow turned to Padgett in the pitcher's circle to face cleanup hitter Tajanae Davis, striking her out to pick up her first career save.
St. Edward's improves to 17-11 with an 11-8 conference record. The Hilltoppers and Texas A&M International will conclude the series with a doubleheader tomorrow starting at noon.
