AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's softball put together another defensive masterpiece, posting its second shutout of the day for the 1-0 win to sweep the regular-season series against Texas A&M International. 

St. Edward's plated a run early, getting a leadoff infield single from Adrianna Vidales in the bottom of the first, beating the throw by a fraction of a second. Vidales advanced to second on a KATIE DILLON groundout to third. Then, after MEGAN MORRIS went down swinging, JERZIE PELHAM delivered the RBI single up the middle, scoring Vidales from second for her third RBI of the series. 

Texas A&M International loaded the bases in the third, forcing the Hilltoppers to go into their bullpen after the Dustdevils recorded a walk and a single with one out off starting pitcher MCKENNA LEAMON. 

KYLEN PADGETT replaced Leamon in the pitcher's circle for her second appearance of the series following Tuesday's save. Padgett walked Kristy Alanis to load the bases, but Kennedy Griego grounded into the 5-2-3 double play to allow the Hilltoppers to escape the inning unscathed. 

Padgett kept the Dustdevil hitters off balance with back-to-back, three-up, three-down inning, relying on some wicked off-speed pitches to strike out two. 

Alanis sparked the Dustdevil offense with a one-out single that dropped inches from the foul line a few feet beyond the dirt. Then, Padgett walked Griego to put runners on first and second, ending her afternoon with no runs, three strikeouts, and a hit and two walks surrendered to pick up the win. RENNA TOOMEY replaced Padgett in the pitcher's circle, and St. Edward's turned the 5-3 double play for its fifth double play of the day to get out of the inning. 

Toomey surrendered a leadoff single in the seventh but struck out Garcia, and the Hilltopper defense recorded the final two outs with a ground out to second and third to pick up the save. 

St. Edward's improves to 19-11 with a 13-8 conference record. The Hilltoppers will travel this weekend to play at Lubbock Christian.