SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo baseball team will play their final series of the season against Eckerd College at Thomas B. Southard Stadium. The first game will be set for Friday night at 6:00 p.m. with the doubleheader being played on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Saturday will be a day off as the Lions break for their Commencement ceremonies.
The Lions will be honoring five seniors on Sunday in a ceremony before the doubleheader. Playing in their final games at Southard Stadium are first baseman J.C. Suarez, pitcher Caleb Fuddy, left fielder Eugene Garnett, Jr., pitcher Seth Fowler and catcher Jovanni Fiallo.
Last Time Out…
The Lions broke a six game losing streak with a 14-8 win over Southeastern University. Every Saint Leo hitter except one managed at least a hit against Southeastern pitching. Six of seven Lion starters also hit safely multiple times as leadoff hitter Ryan Brnovich went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Two SLU hitters managed three RBI as Garnett Jr. went 2-for-6 with the homer and J.C. Suarez went 4-for-6 with four runs scored as well. Shortstop Ryan Powers also had three hits, going 3-for-5 with two RBI. On the mound, Matt Hewitt finally managed to pick up a decision as he made his fourth start of the season. The freshman went five innings and allowed four runs on five hits as he picked up the win. He was one of four SLU pitchers to toe the rubber on the evening. Adam Albers would relieve Hewitt and toss two innings, allowing four runs, while Caleb Fuddy and Jamie Tutko each tossed two scoreless innings to solidify the victory.
National Rankings…
The Lions 535 hits ranks them 29th in the country in Division II. SLU has 19 triples to rank them 19th in the NCAA. Dustin Brown and J.C. Suarez have combined for 33 of the Lions 85 stolen bases, which makes the team 34th in NCAA. As a team, Saint Leo has turned 49 double plays, which ranks the defense 9th behind Cal State Dom. Hills and Montevallo with 54. Marshall Stalvey has struck out 68 batters to rank him 58th in pitching stats.
Last Time against Eckerd…
The Lions defeated Eckerd twice this season, once at Saint Leo and then again in St. Petersburg. SLU outscored them 24-6 in those two games.
About Eckerd…
The Tritons come into this weekend’s series with a record of 19-26 and 2-16 in the SSC. Eckerd defeated Webber International 4-2 on Tuesday night. EC’s top hitter is Wess Hollins who hits at a .360 clip with 45 hits as he drove in 31 runs. Joey Cuda is the Tritons’ ace making, 14 appearances tossing 76.2 innings and three complete games.
