The St. Edward’s softball team won its sixth-straight game to open Heartland Conference play, defeating UT-Permian Basin, 11-2, Saturday afternoon at Diane Daniels Field.
UT-Permian Basin (6-18, 0-6 HC) opened the game with two runs in top of the first inning. Hilltopper starting pitcher Lana Jo Hairston walked the bases loaded before giving way to sophomore Paige Sandahl on the mound. The Falcons would score one run on a fielder’s choice by catcher Leigh Ann Staggs and another on a bases loaded walk by designated player Kristina Samaniego.
St. Edward’s (17-10, 6-0 HC) would fight back in a big way, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Designated player Stacy Giles would drive in a run on a bases-loaded walk and third baseman Brianna Bozon would follow with a two-RBI double. First baseman laced a two-RBI single up the middle to make the score, 5-2.
The Hilltoppers would add three runs in the second inning when centerfielder Megan Bailey would lead off with a single and come around to score on a wild pitch. Giles would drive in another run on a grounder and Bozon added another RBI on a single to push the lead to 8-2.
After St. Edward’s added a run in the third inning, left fielder Lisa Paul ended her second-straight game as she blasted a two-run home run to right field and provide an 11-2 run-rule victory.
Sandahl (8-4) would get the victory in relief, allowing just one hit, while walking one and striking out three batters in 1.2 innings of work. Hairston would come back in on the mound after Sandahl and retire nine of the last 10 batters she faced.
St. Edward’s will be back in action Wednesday when they travel to take on Eastern New Mexico in Portales, N.M. The doubleheader is set to begin at 12 p.m. Live audio will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.