SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo softball team (18-31, 3-16 SSC) pounded-out six extra-base hits, including three home runs, as they upended Sunshine State Conference opponent Eckerd College (11-39, 3-16 SSC), Friday afternoon from the Turley Athletic Complex on the campus of Eckerd College.
A three-run first inning, coupled with a four-run final frame, guided the Lions to their third SSC victory of the season. In addition, Lions' starting pitcher Megan Still collected a career-high 10 strikeouts.
"We came out and hit the ball hard tonight," said Head Coach John Conway. "We pitched well and did all the little things right."
Five Lions posted multiple-hit games as the group totaled 15 for the game. Freshman Angela Kafalas led the charge with three hits, including a double. Rachelle Gremo, Diane Gonzalez, and Brittany Yates delivered home runs, while Gremo led the team with four RBI and Yates scored a team-best three runs.
The Lions jumped all over the Tritons in the first inning as Gremo connected on a three-run home run to give the visiting Lions a 3-0 lead. Shortly after, Torrie Weindorf connected on an RBI triple in the in the fourth inning to plate Kafalas, giving the Lions a 4-0 lead.
After Yates blasted her 35th career home run in the fourth inning, a solo shot, Kafalas poked an RBI double through the gap in left center to increase the advantage to 6-0.
The Lions capped-off the victory with a four-run fourth inning. Emily Holman and Gremo compiled back-to-back RBI singles, and Dianne Gonzalez slugged a two-run home run over the left field to put the exclamation point on the inning.
Still (8-18) was remarkable in the circle, scattering three hits across seven innings while striking out 10 batters. She struck out two batters in an inning on four occurrences.
The 10 runs are the most the Lions have scored since a 13-5 defeat of Kentucky State on February 25.
The Lions will close-out the SSC series with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 21. First pitch for the is scheduled for 1 p.m. from the Turley Athletic Complex in St. Petersburg, Fla.
For more on the softball team, visit SaintLeoLions.com.
