AUSTIN, Texas (February 20, 2026) – In the series opener between UT Permian Basin and St. Edward's University, once the Hilltoppers started scoring, they did not stop. SEU overcame deficits of 4-0 and 5-2 to score 10 runs on just four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning, and in all, the Hilltoppers scored 17 unanswered runs to end the game. In the end, 16 walks allowed in seven innings by the Falcons' pitching staff spelled disaster for the visiting team in a 19-5 defeat at SEU.

The first hit of the game came as Daylon Jefcoats ripped a leadoff double just past the diving third baseman on the first pitch in the top of the third inning. Two pitches later, a single to center field by Gael Bernal scored Jefcoats for the game's first run.

The Falcons continued to hit the ball hard in the top of the third as another first-pitch double hit just fair deep into the corner in left field by Carlos Chavez put two runners into scoring position with one out.

Three pitches later, a bouncing single up the middle by Demetrius Deramus just got through the infield to score both runners and make it 3-0, and then Deramus would later score on a sacrifice fly to left field by Braeden Dyck to make it a four-run third inning for UTPB.

Making his first start of the season was Sebastian Lozoya (1-1), who got a 4-6-3 double play for the first two outs in the bottom of the first and faced the minimum in the first inning. However, Lozoya walked three batters in the first two innings, and then walked the bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the third before giving up his first hit of the game on a two-run single down the left field line as SEU cut its deficit in half (4-2). A strike-him-out, throw-him-out at third base helped Lozoya limit the damage and end the third inning.

It was again Jefcoats and Bernal notching back-to-back hits to score a run in the top of the fourth, this time a one-out single through the left side by Jefcoats followed by an RBI-double to left field by Bernal to make it 5-2 Falcons.

It was a 5-3 Falcons' lead with two outs and a runner at second in the bottom of the fourth. Unfortunately, Lozoya could not hold the lead, giving up the game-tying two-run double to left center field by Nicodemus Ruedas, his second two-run hit in as many innings. That was followed by a dropped fly ball in left field by Jefcoats, allowing two more runs to score and giving SEU its first lead of the ballgame (7-5). Lozoya finished with nine total runs, five earned runs, five hits and eight walks allowed in 3.2 innings.

The bottom of the fourth inning continued for the new Falcon pitcher, Zeke Alexander, who was unable to escape the inning without giving up the big hit. After doubling earlier in the inning and scoring on Ruedas' two-run double, Kade Nathman delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a grand slam to left field to open up the Hilltoppers' lead to an 11-5 margin.

SEU finished its half of the fourth inning by sending 16 batters to the plate and scoring 10 runs on four hits, five walks, two hit by pitches and two errors. It was the second time in the last two games UTPB gave up a 10-run inning.

"We cannot give up free bases to good teams," said UTPB Head Baseball Coach Justin Phillips. "We are in most games until we finally give up a big hit after the free bases. If you hand a team four runs in free bases (i.e., 16 walks), 90 percent of the time they will beat you."

After using six pitchers in its series opener last weekend against Texas A&M University-Kingsville, UTPB used five more pitchers in Friday's series opener on a short week.

Ruedas and Nathman both finished with three hits and five RBI's for SEU. In addition, eight of the Hilltoppers' nine players in the starting lineup scored at least two runs. It was the first collegiate start for Nathman, a sophomore center fielder. Ruedas, meanwhile, finished a home run shy of the cycle. Lastly, leadoff hitter Ben Merriman scored three runs without recording an official at-bat, drawing six of St. Edward's walks.

Bernal (2 RBI's), Deramus (2 RBI's) and Jefocats (2 runs scored) would each finish with two hits for UTPB.

SEU's starting pitcher, Camden White (1-1), pitched 6.1 innings and allowed eight hits, five runs, four walks and three strikeouts. White was named a Lone Star Conference Pitcher to Watch this season after after transferring from Eastern Oklahoma State College, where he compiled an 8-5 record with 66 strikeouts in 78.1 innings, averaging 7.58 per nine innings and a 4.37 ERA.

UTPB falls to 3-8 both overall and in the LSC. St. Edward's, meanwhile, improves to 7-3 and 7-3. This week, the Hilltoppers are receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) Poll after losing two of three games at Cameron University last weekend and falling out of top-25 (No. 18). The Hilltoppers also moved down from No. 3 to No. 5 in the NCBWA South Central Region Poll.

The Hilltoppers were voted fourth in the LSC Baseball Preseason Poll coming into the season. St. Edward's is coming off a 37-23 season last year, including 31-17 in conference play. The Hilltoppers were the runner-up in the LSC Championship Tournament and earned an NCAA South Central Regional berth.

Games two and three of the series between UTPB and St. Edward's will be at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, on Saturday, February 21, from Lucian-Hamilton Field.