AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's softball strung together 11 hits for a season-high 11 runs in only five innings, opening its doubleheader against Western New Mexico with an 11-2 victory over the Mustangs.
KYLEN PADGETT (3-2) pitched a complete game with five strikeouts, surrendering two walks, four hits, and two runs in the win. The Hilltoppers provided plenty of run support with four doubles, led by
MEGAN MORRIS's 2-for-3 performance with four RBI and three runs scored.
Western New Mexico took the lead in the top of the third inning with a two-out single from Antonya Lucero and a two-run home run from Madeline Bleak.
St. Edward's responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning.
KATIE DILLON delivered a slap-hitting single up the middle, then
SOFIA APONTE double to left field, dropping the ball just over the left fielder's head to put two in scoring position.
Morris followed with a two-RBI double to the same spot. After
ELLA HUTZLER grounded out,
SLOANE HILL hit an RBI double to right-center to put St. Edward's ahead 3-2.
Padgett retired the side in order in the fourth, striking out Laryssa Morales and Kayla Logan, and St. Edward's continued the momentum with eight runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning.
LAUREN HOYT delivered a leadoff single through the left side,
CIANA RODRIGUEZ executed a perfect bunt for a single, and
ARIANNA VIDALES drew a walk to load the bases. Western New Mexico delayed the damage with a fielder's choice out at home, but Morris followed with a two-RBI single down the left-field line.
ELLA HUTZLER walked to reload the bases, and Hill hit a two-RBI single to left-center.
LAUREN HOYT drew a walk to load the bases for a third time in the inning, and
AUDRI CASTILLO pinch-hit and cleared them with a three-RBI double to go up 11-2.
Padgett walked Armijo to open the fifth and surrendered a one-out single, but Lucero flied out, and Bleak grounded into a fielder's choice with an unassisted out by Castillo at third.
Hill hit a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI, and Dillon hit 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Aponte, Hoyt, Rodriguez, and Castillo each had a hit.
With the win, St. Edward's improves to 8-7 and a 2-3 conference record. Western New Mexico drops to 4-12 and a 1-6 conference record.
