CLEARWATER, Fla. – Senior Cassie Boggs caught fire to lead the Saint Leo University softball team to a day two sweep at the Eckerd College Softball Invitational on Saturday. The Lions took a 12-2 win over Chadron State before battling West Florida to a 5-3, extra-innings win.
The Green and Gold improve to 5-1 on the season while the CSU Eagles (0-3) and the UWF Argonauts (1-3) each add a loss to their 2015 campaign.
Boggs slugged five doubles on the day, concluding both contests with six hits, three RBI and two runs scored in dominating fashion. The outfielder was 6-for-7 in the second day of the tournament, adding a perfect four doubles in as many chances against tough regional foe West Florida.
Outfielder McKenzie Burns hit .333 on the day, adding three stolen bases, two hits and a run scored to her series.
The Lions torrid offense exploded in the first game of the day, as Saint Leo trounced Chadron State, 12-2 in a five inning rout. Designated player Michelle George unloaded a five RBI onslaught, including a three-run, walk-off homer over the right field fence.
The Green and Gold out-hit the Eagles by 10, ending the day with 12 total including four extra-base hits.
Catcher Sommer Pollard led the charge, batting a pristine 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Rightfielder Boggs and shortstop Brittany Creamer each hit 2-for-3 and plated a run. Freshman Creamer smacked two doubles in the outing. Second baseman Torrie Weindorf was perfect in her lone at-bat, drilling a two RBI single while also scoring a runner off a sacrifice fly.
Saint Leo starting pitcher Alana Tabel (2-0) earned the win after hurling five innings while allowing a single earned run. The junior struck out five batters and surrendered just two hits and a walk.
Chadron State pitcher Haylee McKeehan (0-1) was credited with the loss, tossing four innings while forfeiting 11 hits and nine earned runs.
Saint Leo and West Florida took a tie game into extra-innings, as the two teams traded salvos throughout the contest. The Lions struck first in the third frame as Boggs launched her second double of the game to left-center. The senior finished a perfect 4-for-4 on the day with all four hits being two-baggers.
Senior Ashley Ehlers (1-1) started on the mound for Saint Leo, pitching six innings in a no-decision. The righty struck out four batters and scattered seven hits.
Freshman Samantha Tyler (2-0) continued to dazzle, entering in relief to earn her second win of the season. The right-hander tossed two innings without surrendering a hit to earn her second win of the season and shrink her earned run average to a meager 0.68 for the season.
Right-hander Rebecca Hein (0-1) would take the loss for the Argos, pitching eight innings and allowing five runs, none earned. The UWF hurler surrendered eight hits and a single walk.
Saint Leo will conclude the tournament at the Eddie C. Moore Athletics Complex, Sunday in doubleheader fashion. The first game against Southwest Baptist is slated to begin at 9 a.m. while the second contest featuring a matchup against Palm Beach Atlantic will start at 11:30 a.m. Live stats will be provided 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.
