FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Saint Leo University softball team (26-11, 5-11 SSC) fell in the opening game of a three game series with Nova Southeastern 6-2, Friday evening from the AD Griffin Sports Complex in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Despite nine Lions’ hits on the evening, five defensive miscues led to six unearned NSU runs en route to the conference win.

The Lions had a trio of players with two hits, including Tiffinee Harvey, Ali Lamb and Elysha Agen, who also drove home one of the Lions two runs on the night. Both Brittany Yates and Amber Martyn scored runs as they combined to go 2-for-6 from the plate. Ally Maddox added to the hit column delivering a single in the fourth inning and Ashley Urbanik brought home the Lions second run with a sacrifice fly.

Despite the Lions’ offensive production, NSU was the first to strike, scoring three runs in the second inning on three hits and one error. The Lions responded immediately with a run of their own in the top of the third inning. Martyn doubled to leftfield to begin the inning and Agen followed suit with a single to right scoring Martyn.

However, Nova quickly pushed the lead back to three runs, 4-1, with a two-out single scoring the NSU runner from third.

The Lions missed out on an opportunity to cut into the lead in the top half of the fifth inning, when Lamb was thrown out at home on a two-out single to centerfield. The Sharks used the defensive momentum to add onto their lead in the bottom of the inning plating one run to push the score to 5-1.

SLU did not quit though as Urbanik brought home Yates from third base on a sacrifice fly to deep left centerfield to make the score 5-2.

Nova answered back with their sixth and final run in the bottom of the sixth inning to solidify the victory. Saint Leo could not answer in the seventh as Nova handed the Lions their ninth loss in their last 10 games.

Ashley Urbanik was the tough luck loser for the Green & Gold, scattering nine hits over seven complete innings. She did not allow a single earned run and struck out five Sharks.

Saint Leo returns to the field on Saturday, April 18 for a doubleheader against Nova Southeastern. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 pm at the AD Griffin Sports Complex in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Both games will be broadcast live on the Saint Leo Lions AudioCast Network.