LUBBOCK, Texas — CONNOR COX made history in Lubbock, leading the Hilltoppers to an early win before errors cost St. Edward's in Game two, splitting the doubleheader and falling behind 2-1 in the series. 

The day opened with a milestone moment that set the tone. Cox lined an RBI single up the middle in the top of the third to bring home DYLAN TATE, moving into sole possession of St. Edward's all-time RBI record with his 187th. 

Nico Ruedemas found the gap in the right side for an RBI single, then Cox scored on a balk to open a 3-0 lead for the Hilltoppers. Lubbock Christian answered immediately with a two-run homer from Dylan Marx. 

St. Edward's starter Conner Freeman settled in to scatter three hits over five innings, and FINN MIGNEREY closed the door with two scoreless frames to maintain control.

The Hilltoppers created separation in the seventh, manufacturing three insurance runs with situational execution to secure a 6-2 win. Kade Nathan drove in a run on a groundout, and KAIN SANCHEZ and Tate turned to small ball for the final two runs. The Hilltoppers finished with nine hits and drew six walks, with Ruedas, BEN MERRIMAN, and Tate each collecting multiple knocks.

Game 2 flipped quickly, as Lubbock Christian took advantage of St. Edward's defensive struggles. A first-inning unearned run gave the Chaparrals the lead, and a three-run second inning, extended by errors and timely hitting, pushed the deficit to 4-0. 

The Hilltoppers chipped away, getting on the board in the third on an RBI single from Ruedas and later pulling within two behind a DAWSON STUTZ RBI single in the fifth, but they couldn't fully erase the early damage.

Lubbock Christian responded again in the sixth, using a solo home run from Roe Forrest and an RBI single from Hudson Grace to stretch the lead back to four. Cox provided one last spark in the seventh, launching a solo homer to right for his second RBI of the day, but the Hilltoppers left the tying run on base as the Chaparrals closed out a 6-3 win.

Cox paced St. Edward's across the doubleheader, finishing with multiple hits in both games while delivering the record-breaking RBI and a home run in the finale. Ruedas also turned in a strong day at the plate, while the Hilltoppers totaled 19 hits across the two games but were undone by three errors and missed opportunities in the nightcap.

With the split, St. Edward's moves to 20-12 in Lone Star Conference play, setting up a decisive series finale as the Hilltoppers look to even the four-game set on Sunday.