AUSTIN, Texas – TRAVIS CHESTNUT and KOBE JARAMILLO made stellar debuts on the Hilltop, and St. Edward's baseball leveraged its athleticism to create controlled chaos in a 4-0 win over No. 21-ranked West Texas A&M in the season opener.
 
Jaramillo, a transfer from Texas A&M-Kingsville with an all-conference season on his resume, set the tone against West Texas A&M leadoff hitter Jovan Camacho. 
 
The senior right-handed pitcher from Bishop, Texas, pounded the strike zone early and often, striking Camacho out looking in a circuitous three-up, three-down inning defensively. Kyle Micklus followed with a single through the right side, but Dylan Fesperman popped out to CARLO FIGUEROA at shortstop, and NICHOLAS ANDERSON threw Miklus out trying to steal second. 
 
TRAVIS CHESTNUT made an auspicious first impression in his first at-bat for the Hilltoppers, driving a leadoff single through the left side. Chestnut then showcased his speed, taking second on a wild pitch stopped by Miklus at the plate. 
 
St. Edward's leadoff hitter injected chaos into the game when he executed a steal to third by perfectly timing the throw from the plate back to the mound. Pitcher Matt Milner's hurried throw sailed over third baseman Seth Ochoa's head for the game's first run. 
 
Chestnut came through again in the fifth with a two-out second single through the left side, manufacturing another run with the threat of his speed. Chestnut easily stole second, drawing more attention from Milner. West Texas A&M's starting pitcher committed his second throwing error of the game trying to pick Chestnut off at second, instead advancing him to third. 
 
TREVOR SEBEK followed with an RBI single, pulling the ball down the right-field line to score Chestnut for the 2-0 lead. 
 
West Texas A&M went to its bullpen to start the bottom of the sixth, turning to Max Lankford. The senior right-hander surrendered a leadoff walk to MARCO BARRERA. Shortstop Elijah Batista compounded matters with an error on a potential double-play ball, and St. Edward's baserunning continued to rattle the Buffaloes. 
 
Lankford committed a third West Texas A&M throwing error trying to pick off Barrera at second, and center fielder Rodric Black bobbled the ball to allow one run to cross. JOSH GRAHAM scored CONNOR COX on a groundout for the RBI and 4-0 lead. 
 
The four runs were more than enough for Jaramillo, who breezed through eight innings with six strikeouts and only four hits with no walks surrendered. He produced three three-up, three-down innings and was overwhelmingly efficient, needing only 79 pitches and throwing 60 for strikes in the win.
 
MARLEY BERNAL took over for Jaramillo to start the ninth and produced another three-up, three-down inning. Left fielder JEREMY HILL showcased more of St. Edward's athleticism in the ninth, playing in an extreme shift to left-center and sprinting across the field to make a highlight diving catch in foul territory down the left-field line. Camacho and Dylan Fesperman each grounded out to third to end the game.
 
Chestnut was 2-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases from the leadoff spot. Sebek hit 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Barrera hit 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, and a run scored.
 
St. Edward's and West Texas A&M will resume the four-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at noon.