AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's softball tried to slow Texas-Tyler but couldn't stop the momentum of the Patriots' nearly two-month win streak, which now stands at 21 consecutive victories after defeating the Hilltoppers 4-1 to open the three-game series.
Texas-Tyler plated a run each across four innings, winning by paper cuts rather than an offensive explosion.
St. Edward's starting pitcher CADIE BELLE CURRIE appeared off to a great start with two quick outs to start the first, but Courtney Plocheck doubled to center, and Michelle Arias singled through the right side for an RBI single before being thrown out at second.
Audrey Escamilla posted a leadoff single for the Patriots in the second, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on an Avery Farr single up the middle. Finally, Escamilla scored on a sacrifice bunt from Amanda Marek to give Texas-Tyler a 2-0 lead.
JORDAN NEELY broke through with the first hit off Texas-Tyler's Tatum Goff on a leadoff single in the third and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt but was left stranded.
St. Edward's put two on with two outs in the fourth, with JERZIE PELHAM reaching with a one-out error and ELLA HUTZLER drawing a walk, but MEGAN MORRIS popped up to shortstop to leave both stranded.
Currie hit Farr to open the fifth, then Marek beat a potential double play by half a step, paving the way for an infield single, flyout, and RBI single from Sam Schott to bring the Patriots' lead to 3-0.
Neely delivered another leadoff hit in the fifth with a double to right field, but pinch-runner YVONNE CASTILLO was thrown out trying to steal third, and Goff struck out the next two to end the inning.
Texas-Tyler got a leadoff single from Arias in the sixth, then moved her to third on back-to-back sacrifice bunts to set up Farr's RBI single up the middle.
The Hilltoppers got on the scoreboard in the sixth when ARIANNA VIDALES and KATIE DILLON opened the inning with an infield single and walk, prompting Texas-Tyler to replace Goff with Shea O'Leary. Pelham moved both runners into scoring position with a groundout to shortstop, then Massie scored Vidales with a groundout to second before RENNA TOOMEY lined out to first to end the inning.
Both teams went three-up, three-down in the seventh to end the game, giving Texas-Tyler the first game of the three-game series. St. Edward's falls to 25-20 with a 19-18 conference record. The Hilltoppers and Patriots will conclude the series with a doubleheader tomorrow at noon.
