SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University softball team split its Saturday doubleheader against the University of Tampa, taking the series 2-1 on the three-game set. The Lions trounced the Spartans 17-3 in the first game before Tampa battled to a 3-2 win in the second game at University Softball Stadium.
When the dust settled, the Lions concluded with a 15-6 record while the Spartans return home 12-7 as both teams finished the series with a 2-4 tally in Sunshine State Conference play.
Senior Adriana Sanders totaled five hits on the day to lead all players while junior Tiffany Thompson followed with three. Both players drove in two runs on the day while Sanders swiped two bags.
In the first contest, Saint Leo unloaded a 17-hit onslaught to rout Tampa 17-3. Senior Sanders led the charge, hitting 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI while fellow seniors Angela Kafalas and Torrie Weindorf each totaled three RBI off of two hits.
Sophomore Michelle George added two each of hits, runs and RBI while Thompson nearly mirrored, driving in two RBI off two hits.
Saint Leo scored all 17 of its runs in the first two innings, as the Lions batted through the order before surrendering an out in the first inning.
Junior Alana Tabel (7-1) tossed a complete-game, five-inning win to pick up her seventh victory of the season. The right-hander scattered four hits while allowing three runs (two earned) while striking out five batters.
Freshman Jennie Sittloh (3-2) was credited with the loss, allowing five runs on four hits without recording an out.
The Lions began the scoring in game two, as Kafalas plated a runner after a sacrifice fly to give the Green and Gold a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
Saint Leo would add an insurance run after a suicide squeeze scored Thompson in the bottom of the fifth. The visiting Spartans would pick up its first lead of the day after third-baseman Bre Setree blasted a three-run homer to leftfield, sealing a Spartan victory and splitting the twin-bill at a game each.
Julia Morrow (9-3) avenged her loss from Friday night, pitching seven complete innings while scattering three hits. The senior struck out 11 batters on route to her ninth win of the season.
Senior Ashley Ehlers (4-4) was credited with the loss, tossing seven innings while allowing three runs. The right-hander struck out 10 batters while allowing four hits and a lone walk.
The Lions return to action on Tuesday, March 10 as they host Lock Haven for a 5 p.m. doubleheader at University Softball Stadium. Live stats will be 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.
