Softball concludes season at Heartland Conference Tourney

The St. Edward’s University softball team ended the 2010-2011 season at the Heartland Conference Tournament in San Antonio on Saturday. The Hilltoppers played three games in two days, and came away from the tournament with one win and two losses.

The Hilltoppers finished regular conference play in third place under St. Mary’s, first, and Texas A&M International, second.

The softball team played Texas A&M International Dustdevils on April 29 and led the game 3 runs to 2 until the last pitch. The Dustdevils scored two runs off the last pitch of the game with a walk-off homer ending the game 4-3.

The Hilltoppers took on Newman University on April 30 at St. Mary’s University.

Junior pitcher Paige Sandahl struck out 14 players and gave up four hits in seven innings. The game ended in a victory for the Hilltoppers, with a final score of 2-0.

The team faced tournament host team St. Mary’s University for game two of the double header on April 30. Senior and catcher Courtney Lavender hit a double off Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Year Emily Britton in the fourth inning to break the St. Edward’s doubles record with 47 doubles in her collegiate softball career. St. Mary’s won the game with a final score of 4-3.

Texas A&M International went on to beat St. Mary’s in the tournament Championship.

Senior and shortstop Lexi Stephens was awarded the title Heartland Conference Co-Player of the Year and named to the Heartland All-Conference First Team, along with teammates Lavender, junior outfielder Meagen Bailey, pitcher Sandahl and senior Stacy Giles.