Box Score AUSTIN, Texas (March 6, 2015) – Oklahoma Christian proved to be clutch on Friday afternoon in its Heartland Conference opener at St. Edward's (Texas), but ended up making one fewer play than did the Hilltoppers.

That play – a solo home run by Faith Roberts to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning – proved to be the difference as St. Edward's won 3-2 at Diane Daniels Field.

St. Edward's (13-8, 1-0 Heartland) and OC (7-3, 0-1) will conclude their series with a doubleheader on Saturday.

Friday's game turned into a duel between two of the NCAA Division II league's top pitchers – OC sophomore Shea Coats (5-1) and St. Edward's senior Sarah Debrow (8-2). Each went the distance, wriggling out of trouble often, as both teams left seven runners on base.

The Hilltoppers quickly took a 1-0 lead, as Alex Mayfield singled to lead off the bottom of the first inning and eventually scored on a squeeze bunt by Caitie Carney. OC answered in the top of the second, with Jordan Chism doubling to center field, then scoring when St. Edward's shortstop Kaci Olson threw away a ground ball by Haley Squier.

In the sixth, OC's Madison Nordyke tried to score from second base on Squier's two-out single, but St. Edward's center fielder Cydney Ervin threw out Nordyke at home to keep the game tied at 1-1.

Marisa Bogart delivered a run-scoring single with two outs in the sixth to put the Hilltoppers ahead 2-1. Debrow quickly retired the first two OC batters in the seventh, but Monique Elliott singled through the left side of the infield and took second on a passed ball. Courtney Starr followed with a double to left-center field, scoring Elliiott to tie the game.

Debrow retired the Lady Eagles in order in the eighth before Roberts' game-deciding home run.