SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo softball team (20-28, 7-12 SSC) used a two-hit, two-RBI performance from Tiffinee Harvey to upend the Florida Tech Panthers (21-25, 8-14 SSC) 3-1, Saturday afternoon from University Field in Sunshine State Conference play.
Aside from Harvey’s feat, the Lions also posted solid afternoon’s from a cast of others including, Dianne Gonzalez as she went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Elysha Agen also went 1-for-3 and scored one run, while both Brittany Yates and Sarah Boyd collected singles.
The Panthers took to the scoreboard early in the series-opener, as Sarah Oram poked an RBI double to leftfield scoring Danielle Healey from first base. It was the only run Ashton Whidden surrendered.
Saint Leo began to mount its offensive comeback in the bottom of the first, as the squad collected a pair of runs on four hits to regain the lead. Agen started with a leadoff single through the right side and was eventually platted on a screaming single off the bat of Harvey. Back-to-Back base knocks by Yates and Boyd loaded the bases. The next batter, Danielle Moreda, brought home the eventual game-winning RBI on a fielder’s choice. Unfortunately, the Lions could not scrape across anymore and moved into the next inning with a one-run lead.
With score stuck at 2-1, Harvey came to the plate once again and roped her 20th double of the season into the leftfield corner allowing Alex Garris to score from second. The double put her one shy of tying her own Saint Leo single-season record of 21 two-baggers.
The hit also extended the score to its eventual final, 3-1, as Whidden escaped a jam in the sixth and closed the Panthers down in order in the final frame.
Whidden (14-13) was spectacular for much of the afternoon for SLU. After allowing the first inning run to Florida Tech, she held the Panthers to minimal opportunities, putting down 20 of the next 23 batters. She scattered three hits and struck out three in her 19th complete game of the season,.
The Lions close out the home portion of their schedule Sunday afternoon in doubleheader action against the Panthers. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. It also marks senior day at University Field and to commemorate the day, both Tiffinee Harvey and Tiffany Munz will be honored in between games.
