March 20, 2008 (Saint Leo, Fla.) – The Saint Leo softball team (17-6, 1-0 SSC) defeated the Lynn University Fighting Knights (18-16, 3-4 SSC) by the score of 8-0, Thursday evening at University Field.

Ashley Urbanik (Jr., Riverview, Fla.) toed the hill once again for the Lions and produced another stellar pitching performance going 5.0 innings, giving up only one hit and no runs, her second shutout in as many games. Urbanik (13-3) also helped herself out at the plate going 1-for-3, with a home run, a run scored and three RBI. Tatiana Casis (Jr., Port St. Lucie, Fla.) also went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. While Heather Stroud (Sr., San Antonio, Fla.) went 2-for-3 with a run batted in.

The scoring started early for Saint Leo as they scored six of their eight runs in the first two innings with all the runs coming via the home run. Urbanik put the Lions up 3-0 on her second home run in two games. The three-run shot landed deep over the left field fence scoring Elysha Agen (Fr., Palm Harbor, Fla.) who led the inning off with a walk and Amanda Patrick (Fr. Tampa, Fla.) who singled up the middle .

Agen stepped to the plate in the second and singled to centerfield. With two-outs, Patrick reached on a Fielders Choice allowing Casis to come to the plate. Casis matched Urbanik’s shot with a three run home run of her own making the score 6-0. After a scoreless third inning, the Lions struck again as Patrick hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Heather Stroud (Sr., San Antonio, Fla.) who doubled earlier in the inning. With Ally Maddox (Jr., Brandon., Fla.) on third base, Stroud came up and sent a single over the shortstops head to send the Lions home with their first SSC victory if the season.

The shutout is the third consecutive for Lions pitching.

Next Game: The Lions return to SSC action Friday, March 21 at University Field against the Lynn University Fighting Knights in a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.