AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward's earned its second consecutive series win and its first shutout of the season, blanking Eastern New Mexico 7-0 behind a dominant outing from
CONNOR FREEMAN and an explosive five-run opening frame at Lucian-Hamilton Field.
Freeman set the tone early. After the Hilltopper defense recorded two quick outs with one aboard, Freeman surrendered consecutive full-count walks trying to paint a corner with an umpire who doesn't appreciate modern art. The bases were loaded and the inning teetered, but Freeman answered with conviction, not avoidance.
The Hilltopper hurler recalibrated with a more direct approach, going right at ENMU left fielder Eiji Sawamura for three consecutive strikes, stranding all three runners in the defining moment of the afternoon.
St. Edward's showcased the versatility and explosiveness of its offense in the bottom of the first,
plating its first two runs without leaving the infield, then poured on three more by leaving the yard.
DYLAN TATE drew a leadoff walk and Greyhound starter Alex Sanderson plunked
CONNOR COX to open the inning.
BEN MERRIMAN advanced both with a sacrifice bunt, and
JACOB BULCROFT brought home the first run on a groundout, manufacturing a run with efficiency Henry Ford would be proud of.
Sanderson's control issues continued, walking
NICO RUEDAS and scoring Cox on a passed ball.
TREVOR SEBEK extended the inning with a perfectly placed infield single through the right side.
That brought
BOSTON LEE to the plate.
Lee turned on a 3-1 offering, launching the ball into the Austin sky for a three-run blast that settled into the right-field netting protecting the neighborhood directly behind Lucian-Hamilton Field — giving St. Edward's a five-run first for a second consecutive game.
Freeman carried the momentum forward with rhythm and efficiency. He retired six consecutive hitters and froze Adin Morehouse with a vicious breaking ball in the second, striking out seven on the game.
Cox opened the inning with a leadoff single, and stole second, getting into scoring position. With two outs, shortstop
NICO RUEDAS split the difference between St. Edward's long and short game, launching the ball a mile, but straight into the sky. That, and the blinding sun on a clear day, was enough to cause Ryan Weaver to lose the ball in shallow right for an RBI double.
Freeman continued to command the strike zone through his outing, finishing with 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing only three hits around three walks, stranding multiple baserunners.
The Hilltoppers added their final run in the sixth through aggressive baserunning and execution.
DAWSON STUTZ drew a walk and advanced on
DYLAN TATE's bunt single before both executed a double steal. Merriman capped the sequence with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Stutz to extend the lead to 7-0. Merriman drove in two runs on the day without recording a hit, contributing via situational execution.
Eastern New Mexico threatened late, putting multiple runners aboard in the seventh and ninth innings, but the Hilltopper bullpen held firm.
NIC LUNA entered with two on in the seventh and induced an inning-ending groundout.
TY FRAKES closed the door in the ninth, working around two hits and a walk to preserve the shutout.
St. Edward's pitching staff combined to allowl just five hits while striking out eight and stranding 10 Greyhound runners. The Hilltoppers once agains matched hits and runs exactly, finishing with seven in both categories, drawing six walks with six different players reaching safely.
With the victory, the Hilltoppers improved to 4-1 on the season, winning its second series to open the year with an opportunity for its first sweep on Sunday. The first pitch is at 1:00 p.m.
