AUSTIN – West Texas A&M broke the game open in the third and fourth innings, and St. Edward's softball only managed one run with bases loaded in the sixth in a 6-2 Hilltoppers' loss to the No. 14-ranked Lady Buffs. 

Both defenses were flawless through the first two innings, then a missed opportunity by the Hilltopper defense opened the floodgates for West Texas A&M. 

Rufus reached first with one out for the Lady Buffs on a throwing error, then got caught in a rundown stealing second and managed to avoid the tag. McConnell followed with an RBI double, and then Ruby Salzman hit a two-run blast, ending starting pitcher MCKENNA LEAMON's afternoon with KYLEN PADGETT ending the inning. 

West Texas A&M added two more runs in the fourth on a two-run blast to right field. Rena Toomey replaced Padgett in the pitcher's circle out of another hit to finish the inning. The Lady Buffs added another run in the top of the sixth with a double steal, advancing to second and scoring safely for the 6-0 lead. 

St. Edward's broke through with a run in the sixth, ending starting pitcher Kyra Lair's no-hitter with a leadoff single from ARIANNA VIDALES. Lair then walked Dillon, and JERZIE PELHAM bunted for a single to load the bases, ending Lair's afternoon. Wilson replaced her and struck out ALEXIS MASSIE, then walked ELLA HUTZLER to score St. Edward's first run. GABI LOPEZ hit a grounder to third, where Diana Murtha's throw beat Dillon by half a step on the force out at home. LAUREN HOYT grounded out to second to end the inning, leaving three stranded. 

MEGAN MORRIS opened the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff double, then moved to third when pinch-hitter JORDAN NEELY flied out to center. Vidales scored Morris with an RBI single to left field before the defense retired the next two hitters on groundouts to end the game. 

St. Edward's drops to 23-19 with a 17-16 conference record after the loss. The Hilltoppers will travel this weekend to play a three-game series against Texas Permian Basin.