Alva Review-Courier -

AUSTIN, Texas (April 1, 2017) – No. 24-ranked St. Edward's (Texas) scored early and often and rolled to a 14-2 win over Oklahoma Christian on Saturday in the decisive game of a Heartland Conference baseball series at Lucian-Hamilton Field.

The loss dropped OC (18-16, 5-7 Heartland) into seventh place in the league standings midway through the conference season. The top four teams qualify for the Heartland's postseason tournament.

St. Edward's (21-12, 8-4) jumped on OC starter Jake Collins (0-2) for two runs in each of the first two innings. RBI singles by Isaac Holt in the third inning and Ryan Ward in the fourth pulled OC within 4-2, but the Hilltoppers added single runs in the fifth and sixth before pouring it on with eight runs in the seventh.

Hunter Courson's grand slam with one out in the bottom of the seventh put St. Edward's up 14-2 and ended the game due to the 10-run rule. Gable Whitacre went 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs for the Hilltoppers.

OC managed only five hits. St. Edward's starter Ballard Infante (3-2) struck out 12 batters in six innings to pick up the pitching win.

The Eagles will be off until next Friday, when they will host Oklahoma Panhandle State in the start of another three-game Heartland series. The teams will play a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m., followed by a third game at noon Saturday.