Saint Leo defeats the Fighting Knights 11-3 and 5-0 in SSC weekend series
SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University softball team won both games of its doubleheader on Saturday afternoon against Lynn University, and in doing so swept the weekend Sunshine State Conference (SSC) series. The Lions, who improve to 26-18 overall, and 8-10 in SSC play, defeated the Fighting Knights 11-3 (five innings) in game one, and 5-0 in game two.
Lynn drops to 20-28 on the year and 4-17 in SSC play.
Ashley Ehlers got her 10th win of the season (10-5) going 4.0 innings and gave up three runs on five hits. She walked two and struck out one in the first outing of the afternoon.
The Lions jumped out on top quickly and gave Ehlers all the run support she would need, putting up five runs in the first inning on three hits. Brittany Ewing drove in the first run of the afternoon for Saint Leo with a bunt single driving in Adriana Sanders. After a bases loaded walk to Cassie Boggs drove in a run to give the Lions a 2-0 edge, Michelle George opened the game up with a three-run double to right center field giving Saint Leo a 5-0 lead.
Lynn finally got on the board in the third inning when Devin Kochergen homered off Ehlers to center field making the score 5-1.
The Lions then scored three runs in the third inning and two runs in the fourth pushing their lead to 10-1.
Saint Leo tried to put the Fighting Knights away in the top of the fifth inning, by way of the eight-run rule, however Lynn scored two runs to make the score 10-3.
The Lions, got one of the two runs back in the bottom of the fifth to finally invoke the eight-run rule. McKenzie Burns led off the inning with a walk. Brittany Ewing then reached on a fielder's choice and Burns advanced to third on a muffed throw. Chelsey Steedley then drove in Burns with a bunt single to end the game.
George finished the game going 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and a run scored.
Sanders, who would end up having a solid afternoon offensively and played two complete games behind the home plate, went 2-for-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored.
In game two, Alana Tabel took the ball in the beginning of the game and dominated from the first pitch. Tabel threw a complete game two-hit shutout, striking out seven and not allowing any runners to reach base by way of a walk. The win was her fifth of the season (5-6).
Saint Leo scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, the first coming by way of Ewing who singled and drove in Sanders. Sanders singled and stole second to lead off the Lions half of the inning.
Sarah Steiner then took Katelyn Key deep over the right center field fence for a two-run home run giving the green and gold a 3-0 lead.
The Lions would get one run in the third when Sanders scored on a Ewing sacrifice bunt; and then a run in the fourth inning on a Boggs home run to center field to end the days scoring.
Sanders went 3-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored in game two. However, on the afternoon, Sanders would go a combined 5-for-7 with a double and a triple, driving in one run and scoring three times.
Steiner finished 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Saint Leo will play its final home series of the season next weekend when it faces Florida Southern in a three-game series at University Softball Stadium. The series will begin on Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and conclude with a doubleheader on Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For more on the Saint Leo University softball team visit SaintLeoLions.com. Also be sure 'Like' the Lions on Facebook and 'Follow' the Lions on Twitter and Instagram.
