SAINT LEO, Fla. – A fifteen-run second inning and a no-hitter by junior Stephanie Adkins lifted the No. 14 nationally ranked Saint Leo softball team over Nova Southeastern 22-0 in 5 innings on Friday night at University Softball Stadium.

The Lions improved to 10-0 on the season, the third best start in program history, which pushed their win streak to 21 straight contests dating back to April last year. The Lions collected 20 hits to score the 22 runs and commit one error in the game. With the win, Saint Leo opened up their Sunshine State Conference play with a victory to move to 1-0.

Saint Leo's pitcher Stephanie Adkins pitched five shutout innings with eight strikeouts in the 16 batters faced earning her fifth victory of the year. Adkins threw her second straight no-hitter in back-to-back games for the Lions. 

Four batters went perfect from the plate for the Lions on the night. Bailey McKenna went 3-for-3 with four runs scored and three RBI. Rachael Heath and Samantha Ohmie went 2-for-2 with two runs scored each. Elizabeth Diaz would collect one hit in her one plate appearance hitting a double.

Saint Leo scored one run in the first inning to start things off before blowing it open in the second with 15 runs. The Lions' forced the Sharks to pull their starting pitcher after 1.2 innings pitched before she returned to complete the game with 3.2 innings pitched, with 15 runs on 15 hits, eight of which were earned.

The Lions returns to action tomorrow, February 27th when they face off with Nova Southeastern in a double-header to wrap up the three game series starting at 12:00 p.m. at University Softball Stadium.

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.