ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Beginning her first season as head coach of the Saint Leo softball team, Erin Kinberger's squad swept its road doubleheader against Flagler College, Sunday afternoon. The Green and Gold took the first game by a 13-3 score and won the second contest by a 2-1 final tally at Flagler Field.
The Lions improve to 2-0 to start the season while the hosting Saints fall to 0-2 to begin their 2015 campaign.
Freshman Ciera Schumaker tallied three hits and three RBI in her collegiate debut, manning the hot-corner for the Green and Gold. Senior Torrie Weindorf hit the first home run of the season in the first game while Rachael Heath smacked a solo shot to her credit in the second contest of the doubleheader.
The Lions surged to a 13-3 victory in the first game of the double-header behind 12 hits from the Saint Leo lineup. The Green and Gold delivered a five-run onslaught in the second inning and then dealt a lethal seven-run sixth frame to defeat the Saints on runs.
Second baseman Weindorf blasted the first home run of the season over the centerfield fence while Schumaker plated three Lions thanks to a pair of singles. Catcher Tori Thomas led the team in the first contest, collecting three of the Lions' 12 hits. Heath rounded out the attack with two singles, two runs and a RBI.
Right-hander Ashley Ehlers (1-0) tossed six innings for the complete game, surrendering three runs off four hits. The senior struck out seven batters and allowed a lone walk to earn the win. Saints hurler Erin Anderson (0-1) was tabbed with the loss, allowing five unearned runs in 2.1 innings pitched.
The Saints were held to three runs in the first game as catcher Mackenzie Conley blasted a pair of homers in the fourth and sixth innings. The sophomore scored all three of Flagler's runs, but it was not enough to match the torrid offense of the Lions.
The second game of the twinbill shaped up to be a pitcher's duel, as Saint Leo starter Alana Tabel battled Katelynn Smith of the Saints. The Lions struck first, picking up a run in the third frame after first baseman Michelle George laced a RBI single to left field.
Two innings later, Heath launched a solo home run over the right-field fence to add an insurance run to the scoreboard. Flagler would match in the home half of the fifth as Tori Volz picked up a RBI single to shrink the Lion's lead 2-1.
Tabel (1-0) pitched 5.2 innings, scattering five hits while striking out five batters and allowing a single run to earn the win. Samantha Tyler would enter in relief, picking up a strikeout with the bases loaded to stymie Flagler in the late innings to pick up her first save of the year. Smith (0-1) would stand as the pitcher of record for Flagler, taking the loss after seven innings of play.
The Lions continue their season on the road as they face Shorter College at the Eckerd College Tournament in Clearwater, Fla. The Feb. 6th contest will begin at 2 p.m. with live stats being made available through www.saintleolions.com.
For more information on the Saint Leo softball program, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
