April 12, 2008
AUSTIN – St. Edward’s University rallied in back-to-back games and swept a doubleheader from St. Mary’s University, 7-4, 4-3, to win the four-game series and take control of the Heartland Conference baseball race in a doubleheader Saturday at Lucian-Hamilton Field.
In the first game the Rattlers took a 3-1 lead in the third inning and looked strong behind the pitching of Ben Odom (So., Richmond). But the Hilltoppers scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to chase Odom and take a commanding 7-3 lead. From there Josh Henry and David Wagner held the Rattlers in check. Henry improved to 8-2 this season, while Wagner picked up his 11th save.
In the second game Jonathon Cisneros (So., San Antonio) gave the Rattlers a 3-0 lead with a three-run double in the top of the third inning. However, the Hilltoppers responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 3-3. That was where things would stay until the bottom of the ninth inning when Sean Hilbe singled to left to score Brian Thomas with the winning run.
Michael Villarreal (Jr., Eagle Pass) took the loss, falling to 2-3 on the season. Wagner came on in relief for the second straight game and picked up his third win of the season for the Hilltoppers.
With the losses, St. Mary’s fell to 27-13 overall and 23-10 in Heartland Conference play. St. Edward’s took a two-and-a-half game lead on the Rattlers with the sweep and is 28-11, 26-8. St. Mary’s will return to action on Friday when they travel to Wichita, Kan., to face Newman University in the first two games of a four-game series.