SAINT LEO, Fla. – No. 9-nationally ranked Saint Leo softball's success this season has caught the attention of the NCAA.com/D2 writers after a 23-1 start to the season.
The Lions are not only turning heads around the school, the Sunshine State Conference but all around the nation. Saint Leo started the year unranked and have since climbed to No. 9, marking the highest ever in program history.
NCAA.com/D2 staff writer Wayne Cavadi talked with head coach Erin Kinberger '07 and senior pitcher Alana Tabel about this season and the success the program has had since Kinberger's return to Saint Leo in August 2014.
Click HERE to read the article on NCAA.com/D2.
The Lions are on a tear, boasting a 23-1 record and an 8-1 mark in SSC play. Saint Leo opened the season on a 14-game winning streak and are sitting on a nine-game win streak heading into Friday's competition.
Of those 23 wins, Saint Leo has creditable wins over four top-15 ranked teams in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) coaches poll. The Lions' resume, to date, include key victories over then No. 3 Shorter (6-2), then No. 14 Florida Tech (15-0 5 innings), then No. 14 and now No. 13 West Virginia Wesleyan (1-0/1-0) and then No. 15, now No. 17 Caldwell (4-1/8-0 5 innings).
Earlier this year, coach Kinberger picked up her 150th career win in the Lions' victory over Florida Tech in the fourth game of the season. She now has 169 wins and looks to continue adding those while taking the team back to the NCAA tournament.
The Lions are in action tonight when they host Florida Southern in game one of a three game series on the weekend. Friday's game is slated for 7:00 p.m. where Saturday's doubleheader starts at 1 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.
