AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's and Cameron softball opened the weekend's three-game series with strong pitching performances to split today's doubleheader.
GAME 1: Cameron 3, St. Edward's 0
Cameron starting pitcher and cleanup hitter Josie Swafford was nearly perfect in the circle for the Aggies with seven shutout innings and a 1-for-2 performance at the plate with a run scored in the 3-0 win.
Cameron ripped through three runs in the top of the first. Starting pitcher MCKENNA LEAMON fell early in counts, surrendering a leadoff walk and single into shallow center. However, the Hilltopper defense mitigated the damage with a double play lined to LAUREN HOYT at shortstop, getting the lead runner out back at second.
Then, Leamon walked Swafford to put two runners back on, and Karis Clark hit a chopper down the third-base line that took a late, high bounce over ALEXIS MASSIE's head to drive in Kylie French from second. Taylor Rowley followed with a two-RBI single through the right side for the 3-0 lead.
Those were the only runs Cameron needed, with the defense retiring the first 11 Hilltoppers before JERZIE PELHAM broke up the no-hitter in the fourth with an infield single.
Swafford hit JORDAN NEELY in the fifth and walked KATIE DILLON in the sixth but was otherwise perfect. Leamon settled in after the first inning and was solid, striking out five and walking four with five hits surrendered in the loss.
GAME 2: St. Edward's 4, Cameron 1
The tables turned in the second game with St. Edward's plating three runs in the first and CADIE BELLE CURRIE (W, 10-5) and the defense holding strong in a 4-1 win to tie the series.
Cameron struck first, sparked by a leadoff single from Khmari Edwards to right field. After French popped up to third, Edwards stole second, then scored on Kaiden Boren's infield single against a confused Hilltopper defense for the 1-0 lead.
Dillon and HAILEY SONKA opened the bottom of the inning with back-to-back walks, and JERZIE PELHAM capitalized with an RBI double. Then, ELLA HUTZLER drove in Sonka with a groundout to shortstop, moving Pelham over to third. ALEXIS MASSIE followed with a grounder to third, but Pelham slid under the tag on the throw home on the fielder's choice to take the 3-1 lead.
St. Edward's loaded the bases with a hit, error, and walk with one out in the second but recorded back-to-back outs to leave all three runners stranded.
Cameron threatened in the fourth with back-to-back singles to open the inning, but Mikayla Richmond lined into a double play to third with the lead runner out going back to second, ending the momentum.
St. Edward's added an insurance run in the sixth, getting a one-out walk from ARIANNA VIDALES, who then stole second and advanced to third on an error on the same play. Dillon drove her in with an RBI single to left field, capping off a 3-for-3 performance at the plate with an RBI and run scored.
The Hilltopper defense retired the side in order to preserve the win in the seventh.
St. Edward's ends the day with a 20-15 record, including 14-12 in conference play after the day's split. The Hilltoppers and Aggies will finish the series tomorrow with a noon game.
