SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo baseball team posted a Saturday split in doubleheader action as the Lions claimed a 4-3 nail-biting win over Barry University, but dropped a 2-1 nightcap to the Bucs in a game that was decided by two homers. The Buccaneers improve to 11-10 overall and 5-1 in the Sunshine State Conference while Saint Leo is now 16-8 and 3-3 in conference play.
Game one saw Saint Leo put together all their offensive production in the third inning when they scored four runs, two coming on a bases-loaded single by Michael Revell. The five-hit inning would ultimately prove to be the difference in the game.
Starting Saint Leo pitcher Charles Neely (4-2) managed to keep the Buccaneers' bats at bay, going seven innings and only allowing a single run.
The Bucs made things interesting in the final two innings when they cut the lead down to a single run. With the Lions leading 4-2 heading into the ninth the Buccaneers led the frame off with a single. The next batter, Bryant Elliot, launched a shot into deep right-center field. The ball would carom off the bottom of the fence and roll along the warning track. While the ball was rolling, Elliot would manage to advance to third, but would be held up there, with only the leading runner scoring.
The next batter would hit a shot to third baseman Taed Moses, who would fire the ball to Daniel Torres at home to get Elliot. After that, reliever Adam Albers would pick up the save as he managed to get the final two batters to pop out.
Game two came down to a pitcher's duel between Saint Leo starter Rick Teasley (4-2) and Barry starter Jordan Wellander (4-2). Both hurlers would throw complete games as the offense came down to two 0-2 pitches from Teasley. Both pitches resulted in Buccaneer round-trippers and amounted to all the scoring from Barry in the game. It was all they would need as Wellander only surrendered five hits and the one run he surrendered, scored in the first, was unearned.
Today's split, matched with yesterday's 8-3 Buccaneer win, gave the SSC series to the visitors from Miami Shores, Fla., marking the first conference series of 2012 the Lions have not won.
Getting the start in right field, Revell combined to go 4-for-7 with three RBI as he was the only Saint Leo player to register multiple hits in both games.
The Lions will now look toward an upcoming two-game mid-week series with Georgia Southwestern. Saint Leo and the Hurricanes will get the series underway at Southard Stadium on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. For the latest news, information, and updates on the baseball team, visit SaintLeoLions.com.
