SAINT LEO, Fla. – Picking up the program's 30th win of the season, the Saint Leo University softball team rebounded to sweep its Friday twin-bill against No. 16 Rollins College. The Lions took the series 2-1 after beating the Tars 4-2 in the opening game of the day before taking the second outing of the doubleheader by a 4-1 final score at University Softball Stadium.
The Lions improve to 30-12 on the season with a 6-9 tally in Sunshine State Conference play while the Tars fall to 32-8, 12-6 in SSC contests.
Senior Angela Kafalas launched her seventh homer of the season in the second game while Tiffany Thompson finished the series with five hits to set the table for the Lions.
The Saint Leo pitching staff limited Rollins to a meager 2-for-23 mark with runners on and 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position, stifling the top-offense in the conference for 14 dominant innings.
Game one started as a grudge match for both squads, as both pitchers from Friday night's contest returned to the circle for a rematch bout.
This time, Alana Tabel (13-5) emerged victorious, allowing a pair of unearned runs in the first frame before shutting down the Tars offense for the remaining six innings. The junior finished with three strikeouts while scattering five hits.
The Lions offense returned to form, touching up Rollins starter Niki Fogle (25-7) for nine hits and four runs, all earned as Saint Leo earned its revenge from the evening before.
The Green and Gold used some late-game magic to pick up a 4-2 first game win over the No. 16 Tars. Senior Cassie Boggs plated the game-winning run, lacing a two RBI single to left-center to give the Lions a 3-2 lead. Shortstop Brittany Creamer added an insurance run as the Lions scored three runs in the sixth frame.
Senior Adriana Sanders hit a perfect 2-for-2 in the first contest, adding first-inning RBI while crossing the plate once and swiping a bag in her rounded effort. Both Creamer and junior Thompson concluded with a pair of hits in game one of the twin-bill.
Fogle returned to the mound for her third consecutive game, in the second contest of the doubleheader. Both teams plated a run in the first as the game remained tied until the third inning.
Senior Kafalas demolished a 0-2 fastball over the scoreboard, scoring three runs for her seventh home run of the season to give Saint Leo a 4-1 lead after three complete innings.
The Lions would continue to stymie the Tars bats to finish the second game with a doubleheader sweep.
Freshman Samantha Tyler (6-2) started in the circle for the Green and Gold in game two, pitching seven complete innings while surrendering a lone, unearned run in the first frame. The pitcher scattered four hits while striking out six and issuing a walk in her complete-game victory.
Fogle was tabbed with her second loss of the day, falling to a 25-8 record. The right-hander allowed eight hits and four earned runs in the second contest.
Saint Leo will play its final home series of the year next week, welcoming Eckerd College for a three-game set. The first contest will be played Friday, April 10 at 6 p.m. before concluding with a Saturday doubleheader slated for a 1 p.m. start. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be available through www.saintleolions.com. The Lions will honor the accomplishments of its seven seniors in between games of the twin-bill.
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.
