SAINT LEO, Fla. –In a game that was a bit closer than most hoped for, the Saint Leo baseball team prevailed in the bottom of the ninth inning on a base hit from Daniel Torres that brought home the game-winning run to beat St. Anselm (2-9-1) in the final game of this two-game set.
Saint Leo (14-6) led 7-2 going into the eighth inning but the Hawks rallied to put up an eight-spot to tie the game at seven before the Lions won it in the ninth.
Taed Moses and Daniel Torres both had a team-high three hits for the Lions in part of the team's 10-hit output in the win. Ryan Brnovich tallied two hits—including a two-run dinger over the right field wall. It was the first round-tripper for Brnovich since 2010.
The Lions got out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning when Michael Revell walked to lead off the inning to jumpstart the Lions' rally. Moses continued things with his first of three hits on the night by singling to the third baseman. Two batters later Frank Rawdow was hit by a pitch—setting up a bases clearing triple from Torres.
The Hawks were able to plate two in the top half of the fourth, but the Lions countered in the bottom half of the inning with two runs of their own. Torres led off the inning with a double down the line and Brnovich followed him up with a two-run line drive homerun that just cleared the right field wall.
Leading 7-2 going into the eighth inning, the Hawks would score five runs—all with two outs—to tie the game at seven runs apiece.
The Lions couldn't get a run in the eighth, but did get a whole lot of momentum back on their side in the top of the ninth when Brandon Terry escaped a situation with men on first and second with no outs to send the Lions into the ninth for the late-game magic.
Newcomb singled up the middle to start the ninth inning off with some momentum but he was thrown out at second on a stealing attempt just a few pitches later. The Lions got back in position to win the game though with a Moses walk and a Frank Rawdow hit by pitch. The very next batter, Torres roped a ball over the center fielder's head that sent the Lions' dugout pouring out onto the field in celebration.
Rick Teasley started the game for the Lions and went four complete innings while giving up two runs. Teasley struck out five batters and surrendered just one walk. Matthew Hewitt relieved Teasley in the fifth and proceeded to throw three inning of scoreless baseball while allowing just one Hawks' hit.
Brandon Terry collected all three outs in the ninth to earn the win for the Lions.
The Lions get back in action on Tuesday, Mar. 12 when they welcome Kentucky Wesleyan to Thomas B. Southard Stadium for a midweek contest. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.
