AUSTIN, Texas – Missouri S&T opened up its four-game series Friday at St. Edward's on a down note, as the Hilltoppers used a pair of three-run innings early in the contest to seize control in an eventual 13-1 win.

St. Edward's scored three runs in the second and third innings and put runs on the board in six straight innings at one point to send S&T to its third loss in four games at the outset of the 2017 season.

Following a scoreless first inning, the Hilltoppers got on the scoreboard in the second on B. Alexander's one-out, run-scoring double and added two more – including an unearned run – in the frame.  G. Whitacre's two-run double in the third extended the lead, then SEU continued to add to its advantage against S&T starter Dan Borek (Greenville, WI/Hortonville) and two relievers.

The Miners got their only run of the contest in the sixth when Eli Miller (Shelbyville, IL/Shelbyville) reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, went to third on hit by Justus Nelson (Plymouth, MN/Robbinsdale Armstrong) and scored on a wild pitch.

Nelson's hit in the sixth was one of just three recorded by the Miners on Friday, as the Hilltoppers (9-4) outhit S&T 16-3.  Zach Bracken (Berthoud, CO/Berthoud) and Matt Reschke (Darien, IL/Hinsdale South) had the other two hits for S&T.

The Miners and Hilltoppers will continue their series Saturday with a noon doubleheader.