AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's softball scored nine runs through two games to split its doubleheader against Texas A&M-Kingsville. 
 
Game 1: St. Edward' 5, Texas A&M-Kingsville 3
 
ELLA HUTZLER delivered a two-run blast as part of a four-run first inning, and the St. Edward's softball team withstood a late Texas A&M-Kingsville rally for a 5-3 victory in Game 1 of the doubleheader. 
 
ARIANNA VIDALES led off by reaching on an error, then stole second. KATIE DILLON followed with an infield single, putting St. Edward's two speedsters on the corners. After Dillon stole second base, AUDRI CASTILLO put the Hilltoppers on the board with a two-RBI single to left field. 
 
Then, Hutzler lifted a 1-1 pitch into deep right-center for her first home run of the season to give the Hilltoppers a 4-0 lead. 
 
St. Edward's defense was solid behind starting pitcher KYLEN PADGETT, holding Texas A&M-Kingsville scoreless for four innings, coming through in the top of the fourth to leave three Javelinas stranded. 
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville broke through with three runs in the fifth. Padgett walked Seleste Compian to open the inning and was replaced by LISETTE URQUIDEZ, who walked Breana Carr, and Kaylynne followed with a single up the middle to load the bases.
 
After Aaliyah Ortiz put the Javelinas on the scoreboard with a two-RBI single to right field, advancing to second on the throw home from the outfield, St. Edward's turned to CADIE BELLE CURRIE in the pitcher's circle. 
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville managed one more run on an error before Currie shut the Javelinas down by retiring three of the following four, striking out Mariah Vasquez. 
 
St. Edward's turned to its bench for clutch performances and quick response in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back clutch hits after Dillon was thrown out at home for the second out trying to score on a grounder hit by Hutzler. 
 
CHARLOTTE NUCCIO pinch-ran for Hutzler and SLOANE HILL pinch-hit for LAUREN HOYT, with the latter coming through with a single to left field. Then, HANNAH BOETTCHER connected on an RBI single to center field for the game's final run. 
 
Currie struck out the first two hitters in the sixth, surrendering only a single in a scoreless inning, then retired the first two in the seventh, striking out Lindsey Evans. Texas A&M-Kingsville put the next two hitters on with a walk and a single, but Victoria Mosqueda grounded out to Currie to end the game. 
 
Dillon hit 2-for-3 from the No. 2 spot in the lineup, while Castillo and Hutzler both hit 1-for-3 behind her, with each driving in two RBIs and scoring a run. Boettcher also hit 1-for-3 with an RBI. Padget (W, 2-3) struck out two with two hits surrendered. Currie went three innings with four strikeouts in the save. 
 
Game 2: Texas A&M-Kingsville 6, St. Edward's 4
 
St. Edward's surrendered five runs in the second inning and couldn't close the gap with a late rally to fall 6-4, splitting its doubleheader against Texas A&M-Kingsville. 
 
The Hilltoppers plated the first run, sparked by Vidales' leadoff single in the opening inning. Dillon moved her over with a sacrifice bunt, and Vidales took third on a deep fly out to right field, then scored on a wild pitch. 
 
An error cost St. Edward's in the second. After Evans and Garza reached with singles to put two on with one out, Lechner reached on a fielder's choice with an error on the force-out attempt at third to load the bases. Hilltopper starter Urquidez walked the first run in, then surrendered an infield single for the second after a fielder's choice out at home. 
 
Gonzales followed with a two-RBI single up the middle, ending Urquidez's afternoon. Currie replaced Urquidez, and the Javelinas scored on a passed ball before the Hilltoppers got out of the inning. 
 
Currie retired the next six Javelines in order, but Texas A&M-Kingsville added its sixth run in the fifth, opening with back-to-back singles and scoring on a fielder's choice. 
 
An error and a single put two Hilltoppers on in the bottom of the fifth, then Hill made good with a two-RBI single up the middle, scoring JERZIE PELHAM and MEGAN MORRIS to pull within 6-3 before Texas A&M-Kingsville recorded three consecutive outs. 
 
St. Edward's put runners on the corners with no outs in the sixth but grounded into a double play while scoring its fourth run to halt the momentum. 
 
Urquidez (L, 0-1) surrendered five runs, including four earned in the loss. Currie went 5.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits and struck out five. 
 
St. Edward's falls to 3-10 with a 1-2 conference record. The Hilltoppers will host a doubleheader against Oklahoma Christian on Tuesday.