BENTONVILLE, Ark. — For the second consecutive game,
ALYSSA BURDGE delivered a momentous swing. This time, it carried St. Edward's all the way to the finish line.
The sophomore slugger launched a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning, lifting the Hilltoppers to a 4-2 victory over Harding to close the Alvy Early Classic with momentum.
St. Edward's set the tone immediately with its speed and pressure.
ARIANNA VIDALES opened the game with a single through the left side, and Darian DeLeon followed by reaching on a bunt single.
DAFNE MERCADO advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, and
RYAN RANGEL worked a walk to load the bases.
SLOANE HILL drove in the first run with a groundout, and
SOFIA APONTE extended the lead to 2-0 with an RBI single down the right-field line.
MADDIE AGUILAR provided stability in the circle, turning in another composed performance. The sophomore worked five innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits without issuing a walk, consistently forcing Harding to earn its way aboard.
After Aguilar retired the side in order in the first, Harding answered in the second. Bailey Robinson reached on a leadoff single, advanced to third, and scored on a throwing error. The Hilltopper defense prevented further damage moments later when left fielder
JUNIPER DANIEL delivered a strike to the plate to cut down Baylee McGregor attempting to score on Alexis Boswell's single.
Harding eventually pulled even in the fifth when Boswell launched a leadoff home run to left field, but the Hilltoppers never allowed the momentum to spiral.
With the game tied entering the seventh, Aponte sparked the decisive rally with a leadoff double down the left-field line on an 0-2 pitch. Head coach Hailey Post turned to her bench and called on Burdge, and the sophomore delivered once again, driving a full-count pitch deep over the left-field wall for the go-ahead two-run blast.
KYLEN PADGETT and the Hilltopper defense sealed the win in the bottom half, retiring three of four batters to close it out.
Burdge finished the weekend 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI, providing the defining swings of the Hilltoppers' week.
St. Edward's closes non-conference play with momentum and now turns its attention to I-35 rival St. Mary's, with a doubleheader in San Antonio awaiting next week.
