SAINT LEO, Fla. -- After an hour long lightning delay to begin the game, the 12th-ranked Saint Leo baseball team opened a three-game Sunshine State Conference series against visiting Lynn with a loss to the 20th-ranked Fighting Knights, 13-1, Thursday night at Thomas B. Southard Stadium.

Saint Leo slipped to 27-7 overall, 8-5 in the SSC, while Lynn improved to 26-7, 9-4 in conference play.

The Lions were able to strike first as senior Nick Perez led off the first inning with a double. Sophomore Dylan Harris laid down the sac bunt to move Perez to third, and then fellow sophomore Alex Mata drove a ball to deep right center to plate Perez on the sac fly.

Nick Perez finished the night 2-for-5 at the plate.

Lynn plated four runs in the top of the second behind an Albert Lefran three-run home run. The Knights picked up a solo run in each of the fifth and seventh innings, before posting seven runs in the top of the ninth.

Junior Michael Dunnigan received the Thursday night start, and allowed six runs on 12 hits with three strikeouts over his seven innings of work to fall to 6-2. Josh Mollett, Dylan Collett, and Eoin McAvinchey combined to finish the final two innings.

Kyle Carter earned his third win of the season for Lynn, scattering three hits and one run over six innings pitched. Jonathon Wake earned the save, his first of the season, after allowing just three hits over three innings of scoreless relief.

Saint Leo and Lynn return to the diamond on Friday, April 3, at 1:00 p.m. for a doubleheader conclusion to the three-game series.

For more information on the Saint Leo baseball 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.