CLEARWATER, Fla. – Concluding the Eckerd College Softball Invitational, the Saint Leo University softball team split the final day of play at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex. The Lions defeated Southwest Baptist by a 6-2 score, but fell 6-5 to Palm Beach Atlantic, Sunday.
At the end of the tournament, the Green and Gold stand 6-2 on the season.
Senior Cassie Boggs finished the tournament with an impressive seven extra-base hits including six doubles and a home run. The outfielder hit 11-for-19 over the six-game span, driving in seven RBI and scoring four runs.
Saint Leo battled to a 6-2 win over Southwest Baptist, as Boggs continued to terrorize opposing pitchers. The outfielder picked up two hits and two RBI, blasting a go-ahead home run in the third inning to give the Lions a 3-1 lead. The Green and Gold would not surrender the lead, tacking on another three runs to earn the win.
Centerfielder McKenzie Burns collected up a pair of base-knocks, swiping a base and scoring one of the Lions' runs.
Junior Alana Tabel (3-0) tossed a masterful seven innings while striking out a career-high 14 batters en route to the win. The right-hander scattered five hits and allowed a single earned run in the 6-2 victory.
Bearcats hurler Allison Easley (0-1) was the pitcher of record, as Southwest Baptist turned to a three-pitcher committee to conclude the game. Easley started in the circle, throwing three innings while allowing five hits and three earned runs. Southwest Baptist dipped to 2-3 on the season after the setback.
In the final contest of the tournament, Saint Leo fell 6-5 to Palm Beach Atlantic, after a seven inning battle that lasted just under three hours to complete. The Sailfish would outlast the Lions and improve to 4-1 on the season.
Saint Leo jumped on the board quickly in the second contest, as hot-hitting Boggs plated a pair of runs in the opening frame to lead the Sailfish 2-0. The Lions added an insurance run in the fourth, pushing the score to a 3-0 margin in favor of the Green and Gold.
An inning later, with one swing of the bat, the Sailfish would take the lead as designated player Victoria Gonzalez would smack a two-out grand slam to give PBA a 4-3 lead. The Sailfish padded their advantage after Karina Langer laced a double to score the teams fifth run of the frame and end the inning with a 5-3 lead.
Saint Leo would threaten, but fall to the Sailfish by a 6-5 final score.
Freshman Ciera Schumaker finished 3-for-4 on the day while collecting a pair of RBI. Second baseman Torrie Weindorf and Boggs each picked up a pair of hits, while the latter drove in two runs against PBA.
Starting pitcher Ashley Ehlers (1-2) was credited with the loss, pitching 4.2 innings while allowing five runs off five hits. The senior struck out a season-high eight batters despite the outcome.
Palm Beach Atlantic starting pitcher Jana Wagner (1-0) picked up the win in her first outing, pitching 3.1 innings, allowing four runs off five hits, striking out seven along the way.
Saint Leo will return home to host familiar foe Palm Beach Atlantic for a Valentine's Day doubleheader. The Saturday contests will begin at 2 p.m. with live stats and a live video webcast 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.
