SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo baseball team responded from a disappointing performance in game one as they launched 18 hits and scored 18 runs in the nightcap in splitting a Monday doubleheader with visiting Saint Anselm College, dropping the opener 6-2 and winning the second game 18-5.
Game one saw Saint Anselm (1-3) pitcher John Healy nearly shut down the Lion bats as he tossed a complete game only allowing two runs. Behind his performance, the Hawks managed to plate all their runs between the fourth and sixth innings.
After the visitors from Manchester, N.H. went up 1-0 in the fourth, the Hawks would score four runs in the fifth when their first four batters reached base and all eventually scored to put Saint Anselm up 5-0.
Healy (1-0) would outlast Saint Leo (5-11) hurler Austin Buck as the Saint Anselm pitcher booked the complete game performance, allowing seven hits and only one earned run while fanning 10 Lions.
Buck (1-2) would toss five innings allowing eight hits and four earned runs in the losing effort. Freshman Matt Hewitt would relieve Buck and toss four innings, only allowing one run.
Angry from the opening-game loss, the Lion bats awoke early in the first inning of the nightcap. Saint Leo would make their statement early as they had scored 12 runs after two frames.
The Lions would be sparked by shortstop Ryan Powers, who blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to start the scoring.
The Powers’ blast was one of 18 hits in the second game as the Lions hit safely in every inning but the final frame.
Added to the lineup and into left field in game two, senior Eugene Garnett Jr. went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored.
Henry Johnson (2-0) picked up the win for SLU as he only allowed four earned runs on eight hits.
Robert Kelly (0-1) picked up the loss in his first start of the season as he only managed one inning and allowed five runs in 32 pitches.
The Lions will look to close out the three-game series with the visiting Hawks on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Thomas B. Southard Stadium.
