KISSIMMEE, Fla. – In a top 10 showdown at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla., No. 8 Saint Leo fell to No. 4 North Georgia 3-1 at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic 1.

Saint Leo (15-4) battled back but failed to get a runner past second in the last three innings. Stephanie Adkins got the nod for the Lions and suffered her first loss of the year after giving up seven hits and three runs in the seven-inning complete game moving to 8-1 on the year.

Sommer Pollard started the day off going 2-2 in her first two appearances before ending the day 2-3 with two bunt singles. Ciera Schumaker finished the game 1-2 from the plate with one run scored.

North Georgia got on the board first with a solo home run by Sydney Sprague.

Schumaker scored the lone run for the Green and Gold as she scored in the fourth inning. Bailey McKenna would reach on an error by the second baseman, allowing Schumaker and Danielle Bottley to advance a base each before Schumaker slid into home for the tying run.  

The Nighthawks got back in front with a run in the fifth and another in the sixth. North Georgia's Kylee Smith held the Lions to one hit and gave up one walk over the last three innings for the win.

UP NEXT
Saint Leo travel to Fort Lauderdale to open up Sunshine State Conference play at Nova Southeastern for a three-game series starting March 3 at 6 p.m.

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.