AUSTIN – St. Edward's used just three pitchers in two games as the Hilltoppers held The University of Texas of the Permian Basin to a combined seven hits as they took a 1-0 victory in the first before taking the second 3-1.
In the opener, Stephen Johnson pitched a complete-game, three-hit shutout, taking advantage of a lone run in the first inning by the Hilltoppers. Collin Elmore led off the inning with a bunt single and would later move to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dylan Schuch. A base hit by Adam Shank moved Elmore to third, allowing Daniel Hoffman's single up the middle to score the only run of the game.
In the second game, the Falcons struck first with a run in the second
Ryan Giacomini singled in Wilcox, who led off the frame with a single to left. Giacomini's hit was one of four for the Falcons in the nightcap.
UTPB would cling to a 1-0 advantage until Daniel Homann singled down the left field line to score Taylor Johnson, who reached on a one-out single up the middle.
St. Edward's took advantage of a fielding miscue by the Falcons in the bottom of the eighth inning. Elmore reached on a one-out fielding error by UTPB, but would later be thrown out at second on a fielder's choice for the second out of the frame. Dylan Schuch reached on a fielder's choice which would have ended the inning, instead, Schuch reached first before Adam Shank moved him to second after getting hit by a pitch. Taylor Johnson cleared the bases with a double to left center before
Jeff Fisher-Gasper came in to strike out Homann to end the inning.
UTPB fell to 15-22 on the year and 10-13 in Heartland Conference play and currently sit in fourth place in the league standings, while St. Edward's moved to 19-17 and 13-7 in league play.
The two teams will play the third and final game tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Austin.
