MANSFIELD, Texas — The St. Edward's softball team opened its 2026 season Friday afternoon at the Lone Star DII College Classic, surrendering early runs to Maryville University in a 6-1 loss at the Fields at Station.

Maryville cleanup hitter Laila Ruiz went 3-for-4 with three home runs in her collegiate debut to lead the Saints. Senior transfer DAFNE MERCADO led St. Edward's at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance in her first game as a Hilltopper. 

Maryville drew first blood with a pair of solo blasts from Jenna Kosnoff and Ruiz in the first inning. The Saints continued their offensive surge in the second with Kosnoff's two-RBI triple, extending the advantage to 4-0, and Laila Ruiz added another solo home run in the fifth. 

The Hilltoppers responded in the bottom of the fifth when DARIAN DELEON drove in CIANA RODRIGUEZ from second with an RBI single to put St. Edward's on the board. 

Maryville answered with Ruiz's third home run in the seventh to seal the contest. St. Edward's put two on with two out in the seventh, but Mercado flied out to deep left field, pushing the Hilltoppers' left-on-base total to eight. 

On the pitching circle, SEU starters battled through tough matchups. MADDIE AGUILAR worked three innings of one-run ball, and KYLEN PADGETT logged four frames, with the staff combining to allow six earned runs while fanning five.

Defensively, the Hilltopper defense showcased its fundamentals in key moments, though timely hits by Maryville limited St. Edward's opportunities.

St. Edward's recorded five hits on the day, with contributions up and down the lineup and multiple opportunities left on base. The Hilltoppers played Central Missouri later in the afternoon.