CLERMONT, Fla. – The Saint Leo offense used a combined 42 hits and 39 runs to post a two-game sweep of St. Michael’s College and the University of Bridgeport, Thursday afternoon from the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla. Saint Leo exploded for 23 runs, including 11 in the first inning as they downed the Purple Knights in five innings, 23-1. In game two, another 10+ run inning highlighted the Lions 16-0 romp over Bridgeport.
Collectively, Saint Leo hit .575 as a team, outhitting their opponents 42-5. Nine Lions tallied at least three hits, including JamieLee Basinger who went 6-for-8 while connecting on her first career home run. Alex Garris and Elysha Agen slotted five hits, and Ali Lamb and Brittany Yates each went 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Danielle Moreda and Sarah Boyd also amassed four hits apiece. Diane Gonzalez drove in five runs, in addition to three hits from Amber Martyn. Leadoff hitter Ashlee Sismilich racked-up a team best six runs.
11 runs highlighted the Lions first inning as they scored the most runs in a game since March 4, 2009 (28 vs. Salem International). Saint Leo, who nearly batted around twice in the inning, saw 16 people come to the plate. Highlighting the outburst were 10, RBI base hits by eight different Lions. Boyd and Yates connected on the only two multiple RBI opportunities for Saint Leo in the inning as they finished the frame with two apiece.
The squad continued to showcase their offense in the second inning by scoring four runs on four hits. Both Gonzalez and Boyd provided the offense as they each roped a pair of RBI doubles to increase the lead to 15-1.
After Garris helped plate the Lions’ lone run in the third, Saint Leo registered its second four-run inning of the ballgame in the fourth.
In the frame, Ana Castillo assisted on the Lions 17th runs as her double scored Katie Gwinn from second. Soon after, Gonzalez added to her five RBI game one with another two-RBI single. Elysha Agen capped the scoring with an RBI double of her own to increase the advantage to 20-1.
In the team’s final at-bat in the fifth, the Lions hung a three spot on the board as three separate RBI base hits from Castillo, Basinger, and Garris helped push the Lions to its final 23-run total.
Offensively, the Lions scored in each of the five innings and stole three bases.
In five innings tossed, Lions’ starter Kristen Kelly impressed again as she scattered two hits and struck out a season-best seven hitters en route to her fifth win of the season.
Game two saw the Green & Gold stake to a 2-0 first inning lead as an RBI triple by Yates and an RBI single gave the visitor’s an early lead over the Purple Knights.
The scorching Saint Leo offense continued to produce in the second as a season-high 13 runs crossed the plate. Lamb connected on a three-run home run, her first of the season, while Basinger smashed the first home run of her collegiate career over the left centerfield fence. Boyd also etched her name into the RBI column again as her two-run double left no doubt in the final outcome. Once again, the Lions batted around the order as 17 hitters came to the plate.
Agen topped off the run-filled day when her double in the fifth scored Sismilich from second base.
The overwhelming non-region wins pushed the Lions two games over .500.
In the circle, Jaime Walker shut Bridgeport down as she scattered three hits in a complete game shutout. She now stands at 2-4 in 2011.
Saint Leo returns to action on Saturday, March 19 when they host Barry University in Sunshine State Conference action. Game one of the three-game series is set for 7:00 p.m.
Box Score: Game One
Box Score: Game Two
