AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward's closed its four-game Lone Star Conference series with Sul Ross State the same way it began it — with relentless offense and steady pitching — sweeping Thursday's doubleheader at Lucian-Hamilton Field to finish a perfect 4-0 week against the Lobos.

The Hilltoppers opened the day with a controlled 6-3 win before erupting for 17 runs in the nightcap, completing the sweep with a 17-7 victory and pushing their record to 15-6.

Game one unfolded as a pitching duel early before St. Edward's broke it open in the middle innings behind timely hitting and a complete-game effort from BRANDON HUFF.

BEN MERRIMAN gave the Hilltoppers an immediate spark, launching a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the first to stake St. Edward's to an early lead. Sul Ross answered in the third when Adan Velasquez drove a solo shot down the left-field line to tie the game, but Huff settled in from there, working efficiently through the Lobos' lineup.

The Hilltoppers seized control in the fifth. Merriman started the rally with a walk, CONNOR COX was hit by a pitch, and DAWSON STUTZ lined an RBI double into left-center to restore the lead. Moments later, a misplayed fly ball in right allowed two more runs to score, and JACOB BULCROFT added a sacrifice groundout to cap a four-run inning that turned a tie game into a comfortable cushion.

St. Edward's tacked on another run in the sixth when Merriman scored on a wild pitch after stealing second, extending the lead to 6–1. Sul Ross mounted a late push in the seventh on a two-run homer from Corbin Montayne, but Huff closed the door to secure the win, scattering five hits and striking out five over seven innings.

If the opener required patience, the second game delivered fireworks almost immediately.

Sul Ross struck first with a two-run homer from Max Wiggins in the opening inning, but the Hilltoppers answered instantly. TREVOR SEBEK's two-run double tied the game before a wild pitch and an RBI single from DAVID RIPPLE pushed St. Edward's ahead 4–2 by the end of the first.

The Hilltoppers blew the game open in the second inning with a seven-run outburst. DAWSON STUTZ sparked the run with a two-RBI single up the middle, stole home moments later with runners on the corners and the throw to second, and CONNOR COX capped the rally with a three-run double to left center as St. Edward's surged to an 11–2 lead.

Sul Ross chipped away with a solo home run from Leo Salas in the third and rallied for four runs in the seventh to pull within 12–7, but St. Edward's had one final offensive surge waiting.

In the eighth, the Hilltoppers delivered the knockout blow. KADE NATHMAN drove in a run with a double to center, Ripple followed with a two-run single, and Merriman lined a two-run single down the left-field line to seal the 17–7 victory.
Ripple led the offensive barrage with five hits and three RBIs, while Cox drove in three and scored three times as St. Edward's racked up 16 hits in the finale.

Out of the bullpen, NIC LUNA stabilized the middle innings and earned the win, striking out five over three scoreless frames to halt Sul Ross' momentum after the early exchange of runs.

St. Edward's will hit the road next weekend to face Oklahoma Christian, then return the following weekend for the Battle of the Saints.