ODESSA, Texas – St. Edward's softball shook off a tough loss to split its doubleheader against Texas Permian Basin on Saturday. 

Game 1: Texas Permian Basin 8, St. Edward's 6

St. Edward's left three stranded after scoring two runs in the top of the seventh inning, cutting a rally short in a back-and-forth contest. 

Texas Permian Basin struck first, plating four runs in the third with a two-RBI single by Mia Quintero and a two-RBI double from Aracely Araiza. 

St. Edward's responded with four runs of its own in the fourth. MEGAN MORRIS put the Hilltoppers on the board with an RBI single, scoring ALEXIS MASSIE. ARIANNA VIDALES added a two-RBI double to left field, and ELLA HUTZLER walked with bases loaded to tie the game. 

Texas Permian Basin quickly retook the lead with an RBI single to centerfield from Kelsey Valo in the bottom of the fourth, then extended the lead with a three-RBI double from Taylen Thurman in the sixth for the 8-4 lead. 

Massie and JORDAN NEELY opened the seven with back-to-back walks, then Lauren Hoty hit an RBI single up the middle. Morris grounded into a fielder's choice with the lead runner out at third, then KAILEE SKIDGEL went down swinging. After Morris and Hoyt advanced to second and third on a passed ball, Vidales drove in Hoyt with an infield single. Then, KATIE DILLON walked to load the bases, but JERZIE PELHAM fouled out to first to end the game. 

Game 2: St. Edward's 7, Texas Permian Basin 6

CADIE BELLE CURRIE struck out seven through six innings to pick up her 14th win, and RENNA TOOMEY closed out the seventh for her fifth save in St. Edward's 7-6 win. 

St. Edward's scored a pair of runs in the first on a wild pitch and a double steal attempt, taking advantage of a leadoff single from Vidales and an error, with Viadles scoring on a wild pitch and Pelham scoring while Massie was thrown out at second. 

Permian Basin plated four runs in a big third inning. Currie struck out Aubree Beggs to open the inning, but Emily Andress followed with a triple, then scored on Cheyenne Marquez's single. 

Valo followed with another single to put runners on the corners, then Quintero reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Marquez. Texas Permian Basin added another run on an overthrow to second on a steal attempt with runners on the corners. 

The Hilltoppers tied it in the fourth with an RBI single up the middle from GABI LOPEZ and then a sacrifice fly from Morris to score Hoyt. St. Edward's added two more runs in the fifth an RBI double from Pelham through the left side to score Dillon, then an RBI single to right from ELLA HUTZLER to score Pelham. Massie added an insurance run with a leadoff home run to left-center in the seventh. 

Texas Permian Basin opened the bottom of the seventh with three consecutive hits, getting a leadoff double from Andress, then an infield single from Marquez that scored Andress. Valo followed with a single to right field, putting runners on the corners and ending Currie's day. 

After Toomey replaced Currie, Quintero drove in Marquez with a single through the right side, and Toomey hit Thurman to load the bases. However, the senior pitcher kept her composure and retired the next three hitters, striking out the final two to preserve the victory. 

St. Edward's improves to 24-20 with an 18-17 conference record. The Hilltoppers will finish the series tomorrow with a 12:00 p.m. game.