Saint Leo, Fla. (February 25, 2007) – The Saint Leo University softball team (2-9) split a doubleheader with the University of West Florida (8-5) on Sunday afternoon in the Lions’ 2007 home opener at University Field.  Saint Leo fell 3-0 in game one before rallying for a 3-2 win to earn a split of the doubleheader in game two.

The Lions earned the split with in the final at-bat of the second game.  A two-out solo home run by Alison Flynn (Sr., Miami, Fla.) in the bottom of the third inning tied the score at one, and the Lions got their first lead of the day with another run on a squeeze play in the fifth.

After UWF had tied the score with one run in the sixth, the Lions manufactured the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.  April Slate (Jr., Land O’Lakes, Fla.) walked to lead off the inning and then stole second.  She advanced to third on a double by Hayley Mallory (Sr., Plant City, Fla.) before Flynn laid down the bunt to score Slate with the game-winning run on the second successful squeeze play in the game.

Earlier in the afternoon, West Florida won a pitcher’s duel 3-0.  UWF starter Taren Walton tossed a complete-game, allowing just four hits and striking out 11 to earn the win, while Saint Leo starter Ashley Urbanik (So., Riverview, Fla.) also registered 11 K’s and allowed just one earned run picking up the loss.

The pitchers reversed roles in the second half of the twinbill, as both entered as relievers.  Urbanik was the winner, improving to 2-4 on the season while Walton slipped to 5-4 with the loss.

Saint Leo will return to Sunshine State Conference play next weekend with a trip south to face Nova Southeastern University in a three-game series.  The teams will meet on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and then play a Saturday doubleheader at 1:00 p.m.