FROM CBB NEWS SOURCES
AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward’s defeated Texas A&M International, 8-2, Saturday afternoon at Lucian-Hamilton Field.
St. Edward’s (37-15, 35-11 HC) got on the board first in this contest against Texas A&M International (18-34, 16-29 HC). The Hilltoppers scored in the second inning when designated hitter Robert Hays scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of first baseman Dexter Moreno.
The Dustdevils scored two runs of their own in the top of the third inning. First baseman Danny Cornejo delivered a two-out single up the middle, driving in both runs.
The Hilltoppers pulled back ahead in the seventh inning. Hays drew a walk to lead off the inning. Right fielder Sean Hilbe advanced Hays to second with a sacrifice bunt and made it to second base on an errant throw by second baseman Tommy Molina. Now with Hays on third and Hilbe on second base, pinch hitter Justin Shufelt hit a ground ball to second base that was bobbled and then thrown away by Molina. Both runners scored and Shufelt reached first base safely. Center fielder Chris Dinges followed this with a single to center field. Pinch hitter Chris Straface then got hit by a pitch to load the bases. Left fielder Bradley Goldsmith delivered with an RBI ground ball to shortstop. The next batter, second baseman Drew Cross, launched a three run home run over the left field wall to cap off the six-run Hilltopper seventh inning.
St. Edward’s scored one more run in the eighth inning and this was all the offense the Hilltopper pitchers would need. Starter James Wright worked four innings, giving up two runs. James Belliveau then entered the game and worked two innings without allowing a run. Brent Davis (5-4) added another two scoreless innings of relief to earn his fifth victory of the season. David Wagner entered the game in the ninth inning and worked a hitless inning to seal the, 8-2, victory for the Hilltoppers.
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Friday as they travel to San Antonio to face Heartland Conference rival Incarnate Word. The two teams will play a doubleheader with the first pitch being thrown at 1:00 p.m.
