SAINT LEO, Fla. – Coming off high from their new-found Sunshine State Conference first place position, the Saint Leo softball team fell to the visiting Rollins College Tars by a score of 4-2, Friday evening from University Stadium. The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Lions.
Freshman Alana Tabel started in the circle for the Lions, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing only five hits before senior Megan Still came in for relief duties. Although Still took the loss in the effort, the duo combined to face 32 Rollins batters, striking out two.
After three and one half solid innings of scoreless softball, the Lions jumped on the board first in the bottom of the fourth, collecting one run off of back-to-back hits from senior Rachelle Gremo and junior Chelsey Steedley. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Saint Leo tacked on another run when a single from junior Brittany Ewing allowed sophomore McKenzie Burns to score from second base.
It wasn't until the top of the sixth that Rollins was able to stir up some offense as they collected two runs to tie the game. It was the Tars' Kristie Hoeffer, Veronica Alred, and Courtney Durbin that connected to score the tying runs.
With the Lions unable to answer back in the bottom of the sixth, the visiting Tars took advantage of the energy and tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh. Unfortunately for Saint Leo, the Lions were unable to score any in the bottom of the seventh, and the Rollins Tars took the first game of the series.
In total, Saint Leo collected six hits in the effort, in addition to two stolen bases and five walks. Highlighting the evening was junior Sarah Steiner, who went 3-4 at the plate on the night.
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, Apr. 6, when they wrap up the Sunshine State Conference series against the visiting Rollins Tars with an afternoon doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
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