Despite two early losses in the opening weekend of the season, the 0-2 St. Edward’s University softball team has high expectations for the new season.

St. Edward’s played on the road against Texas A&M Commerce University in a double header which resulted in two losses with scores of 0-3 and 4-9 Sunday afternoon at John Cain Family Field.

In the first game, St. Edward’s threatened their opponent in the third and sixth innings, but were unable to reach home both times.

Hilltoppers used doubles, sacrifice bunts, stolen bases and high flyballs, plus a couple hit-by-pitches in hopes of scoring against the Lions.

In the fourth and fifth innings, Hilltopper senior starting pitcher Sarah Debrow allowed a runner to reach third base, but kept the runners stranded each inning after getting the third out both times.

At the beginning of the sixth inning, Texas A&M Commerce got two runners on base.

Lion’s catcher December Rivers then hit a three-run home run to right-center field, giving the Lions a 3-0 lead.

St. Edward’s was hoping for a rally in the top of the seventh inning with third basemen Marisa Bogart drawing a one-out walk and sophomore rightfielder Breah Whitten hitting a two-out single for her second hit of the game. However, a groundout to the Lion’s pitcher brought the game to an end.

Debrow (0-1), suffered the loss, allowing three runs on five hits, while walking two and striking out four in 6.0 innings of work.

In game two, St. Edward’s had an run batted in (RBI) in the first as Whitten scored off a hit from senior catcher Faith Roberts. However, Texas A&M Commerce scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning to make the score 2-1.

A single hit, a stolen second base, an error to advance to third and finally a groundout by Bogart drove in junior centerfielder Cydney Ervin to even the score at two.

Two more runs in the bottom of the third inning would put the Lions back on top. In the fourth inning, the Hilltoppers managed to cut the deficit down to one after junior first baseman Samantha Gilmore drove in Cydney Ervin, making the score 4-3.

However, Texas A&M Commerce scored three runs in the fourth inning and two more in the sixth inning.

In the seventh, freshman shortstop Morgan Dufour would bat in Whitten, making the final score 9-4.

Senior starting pitcher Katelyn Klug (0-1) took the loss, allowing nine runs (three earned) off of 11 hits, while walking three and striking out three in six innings of work.

Whitten led the Hilltoppers at the plate, going .500 and scoring two runs.

The team is not deep into the season, so there is plenty of time to work out minor fielding mistakes and grow stronger as a team.

In a statement given the St. Edward’s Athletic website, following the doubleheader, Head Softball Coach Lindsay Gardner said she thinks the team will improve.

“I liked the enthusiasm our team showed for an opening series. We did a good job of moving runners,” she said. “We just need to sharpen up and do the little things, but it’s early in the season. We will get better and figure things out.”