MANSFIELD, Texas — Early damage and missed opportunities proved costly Sunday afternoon as St. Edward's softball dropped a 4–1 decision to No. 24 Missouri Southern at the Fields at Station to close the weekend in Mansfield.
The Lions struck quickly in the bottom of the first, using a combination of singles, aggressive baserunning, and a defensive miscue to plate three runs before the Hilltoppers could settle in. Missouri Southern opened the game with three straight hits, then capitalized on a throwing error that allowed an additional run to score.
Despite the early hole, St. Edward's steadied the game behind senior right-hander KYLEN PADGETT, who limited the damage after the opening frame and went the distance in her collegiate debut. Padgett worked six innings, allowing four runs on 11 hits while striking out five and keeping the Lions off the board in four of the final five innings.
The Hilltoppers' offense generated traffic but struggled to string together timely hits against Missouri Southern starter Kadence Janney, who carried a shutout into the seventh inning. St. Edward's collected five hits on the afternoon, including a pair of singles from Darian DeLeon, but hit into a key double play in the second and left runners on base in multiple innings.
Missouri Southern added a run in the fifth, manufacturing a tally with a leadoff single, a stolen base, and an infield RBI single to extend the lead to 4–0.
St. Edward's finally broke through in the top of the seventh. ELLA HUTZLER jumped on a 1-0 offering and drove it to straightaway center for her first home run of the season, putting the Hilltoppers on the board and cutting the deficit to three.
The rally, however, ended there as the Lions closed the door to secure the win.
St. Edward's defense turned a double play and limited Missouri Southern's scoring chances after the first inning, but three errors in the field loomed large against a ranked opponent that entered the day unbeaten.
The Hilltoppers will look to build on the pitching performance and late-inning momentum as they continue non-conference play next weekend.
