Late home run cannot derail Hilltoppers
AUSTIN, Texas - A three-run home run by Texas A&M-Kingsville in the top of the ninth inning was not enough to overcome the fourteen hit barrage by St. Edward's. The Hilltoppers took the game, 10-9.
Texas A&M-Kingsville (19-27) jumped out to an early lead in this ballgame. The Javelinas took advantage of four walks and two Hilltopper errors. They scored five runs during the inning, while only collecting one hit.
The Javelinas collected another run in the third inning, but St. Edward's (26-15) got this one back in the bottom half of the inning. Designated hitter Daniel Rufini got things started with a single up the middle. He came around to score on a double off the base of the right-center field fence by first baseman Justin Shufelt.
The Hilltoppers tacked on four more runs in the fourth inning. Shortstop Jeremy Houser started the scoring with a single up the middle. He advanced to third base on a single by center fielder Dylan Schuch and then scored on an infield single by second baseman Drew Cross. Rufini followed this up with an RBI groundout to the second baseman. The next batter, Shufelt, singled up the middle to drive in another run. Right fielder Mike Hancock capped off the inning with an RBI double down the right field line.
Three more runs crossed the plate for St. Edward's in the fifth inning when Cross blasted a three-run shot over the left field fence. This home run was the eleventh of the year for Cross.
The Hilltoppers scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Left fielder Sean Hilbe delivered an RBI sacrifice fly to center field and catcher Adam Wolotira added an RBI single up the middle. This did for the Hilltopper offense and the team was seemingly cruising towards the inevitable victory until the top of the ninth inning.
Left fielder Brandon Rohr led off the inning with a walk for the Javelinas. Pinch hitter Adrian Williams followed this up with a walk of his own. After an out, Clifton Thomas slugged a three run home run to right field. This shrunk the Hilltopper lead to one run, but reliever Dustin Johnson was able to retire the next two batters and secure the 10-9 victory.
Cross led the way offensively during the game. The second baseman was 2-5 with a home run and four runs batted in. Shufelt went 3-4 with two RBI's and two runs scored. Hancock was 4-5 with an RBI. Houser also contributed two hits.
On the mound for St. Edward's, freshman reliever Matthew Anderson (1-0) picked up his first win as a Hilltoppers. Anderson tossed seven innings of solid relief, allowing one unearned run on six hits. He struck out a pair of Javelinas.
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Friday when they travel to Odessa, Texas to take on the Heartland Conference leading UT-Permian Basin Falcons. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.