DENTON, Texas – St. Edward's softball put together a defensive gem, but two walks and a single in the third inning left the Hilltoppers on the wrong end of a 2-0 game against Texas Woman's University to open the three-game series. 
 
KYLEN PADGETT pitched a complete for St. Edward's, striking out two with three walks and four hits surrendered in the loss. 
 
The Hilltopper defense surrendered six of Texas Woman's first seven hitters in a scoreless game heading into the third. Padgett walked Boley to open the third but recovered for two quick outs, getting Madison Altman to fly out to left field and Vivica Hernandez to ground into a fielder's choice with the out at second. 
 
Padgett's walk to Callie Bailey to open the third inning proved costly, as the two baserunners took advantage and stole second and third, putting them in scoring position. This set the stage for Hawwa Townsend, who capitalized on a 2-2 pitch, driving it to right field for a two-RBI single. 
 
St. Edward's put two on at the top of the fourth inning, with back-to-back walks drawn by CHARLOTTE NUCCIO and ELLA HUTZLER. SLOANE HILL moved them over with a sacrifice bunt, but a double play ended the inning. 
 
St. Edward's retired the next six Texas Woman's University batters in order but could not get its bats going. Texas Woman's University loaded the bases in the sixth, but Padgett struck out Boley to get out of the inning. The Hilltoppers went down in order in the seventh. 
 
The Hilltoppers drop to 17-33, including a 15-25 conference record. St. Edward's will remain in Denton to finish the regular season with a doubleheader tomorrow.