May 7, 2011

Final Stats

St. Edward's defeated Texas A&M International University 11-8 in Heartland Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Lucian-Hamilton Field on the SEU campus in Austin. The result wrapped up a three-game series sweep for the Hilltoppers over the Dustdevils.

There was plenty of offense in what was the regular season finale for both teams with TAMIU finishing with 14 hits and St. Edward's bashing 22 hits. Late game defensive woes once again plagued the Dustdevils, playing a major factor in another late-innings loss.

TAMIU (19-31, 13-17 Heartland) scored two runs in the top of the first inning but SEU (25-22, 19-11 Heartland) led 6-3 after four innings. Mick Daniels and Matt Winter contributed RBI ground outs to cut the deficit to 6-5 in the top of the fifth inning.

Winter then delivered a bases loaded two-RBI double in the top of the seventh inning to provide the Dustdevils a 7-6 lead. Eric Weiser then scored on a wild pitch to push the lead to 8-6.

TAMIU was clinging to an 8-7 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning but four Hilltopper hits and two Dustdevil errors led to a four-run inning for the home team. Overall, three TAMIU errors led to three unearned Hilltopper runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

Matt Arruda contributed a two-out single in the top of the ninth inning but the game ended when the next batter, Rey Alvarez, popped out to third base.

Danny Navarro (3-4) took the loss despite turning in a solid long relief effort. He allowed seven runs (four earned) on 12 hits with three strikeouts and one walk in a 5.2 inning outing.

TAMIU will return to action by opening Heartland Conference Tournament play on Thursday against top-seeded and host St. Mary's. First pitch against the Rattlers is scheduled for 5 p.m. at V.J. Keefe Stadium.