AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's surrendered three combined runs in the third and fourth inning to close its series against St. Mary's with a 3-1 loss, dropping two of three games.
St. Edward's struck first, plating a run in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter KATIE DILLON sparked the Hilltoppers with a solid shot to left-center for a single. St. Edward's left fielder showcased her speed on the basepaths by stealing second, moving to third on MEGAN MORRIS's groundout to second, and scoring on Rena Toomey's sacrifice fly.
St. Mary's responded in the top of the third inning with a two-run single from Jamison Holder. Currie hit Lauryn Ramos to open the inning. Then, after two unsuccessful, fouled-off attempts to bunt Ramos over, Lauren Garcia singled up the middle, putting two on.
Mackenzie Dugi flied out to left field, then Lauren Gonzales went down swinging, but the ball hit the dirt, and Ramos and Garcia advanced on the throwout to first. Holder followed with a drive to left field to score both runners to retake the lead.
St. Mary's added another run in the fourth inning, getting back-to-back singles and a hit batter to load the bases with one out. Dugi followed with an RBI single to left field for the 3-1 lead. Gonzales singled with a bunt to reload the bases, ending Currie's afternoon, and KYLEN PADGETT replaced her to get out of the inning.
St. Edward's put two runners on second and third with one out on back-to-back hits from Dillon and Morris, ending St. Mary's starting pitcher Madeline Bloom's afternoon. Catalina Cavazos replaced her in the pitcher's circle and retired the next two hitters to escape the inning unscathed.
Cavazos allowed just one hit with two strikeouts against the six batters she faced to earn her third save of the season. With the loss, Currie falls to 6-3.
Dillon led St. Edward's offense with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, scoring the lone run. Morris and LAUREN HOYT also recorded a hit. Dugi was 2-for-4 with an RBI for St. Mary's. Six other Rattlers had at least one hit, with Holder driving two runs.
St. Edward's drops to 13-11 with a 7-8 conference record after the loss. The Hilltoppers will hit the road this weekend for a three-game series against Western New Mexico starting on Saturday at noon (MST).
