AUBURNDALE, Fla. – A perfect 4-for-4 night from freshman Kacie Kelly and a three-hit, one run complete game from senior Stephanie Adkins leads No. 8 Saint Leo softball to a 4-1 win over Florida Southern to open up their Sunshine State Conference series Friday night at the Auburndale Softball Complex.

Kacie Kelly led the Lions (26-7, 7-3 SSC) from the plate with a 4-for-4 night with two runs scored. Kelly would hit two doubles in her first two plate appearances before hitting two singles in her last two.

Stephanie Adkins moved to 14-3 on the year after her 11th complete game of the year behind a seven-inning three-hit performance. Adkins allowed just one run while striking out six batters on the night to move to 116 on the year.

Saint Leo jumped on the board first with a solo-home run in the second inning off the bat of Samantha Ohmie. Ohmie's home run was her sixth of the year surpassing her entire 2016 total of five.

The Lions would push another one across in the top of the fifth inning as Rachael Heath and Kelly pulled off a perfectly executed double-steal. Kelly hit a single to right center before moving over to second on a bunt single by Heath. An errant throw by the first baseman saw Kelly run down to third for runners on the corners with two outs. Heath took off for second as Kelly broke for home where both runners were safe as the Lions moved out to a 2-0 lead.

Florida Southern (13-14, 4-9 SSC) returned the favor in the bottom of the fifth with a double-steal. As Donna Ryan took off for second Alex Mace left for home and slid in safely for the lone Moccasins run of the game.

Saint Leo added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh as Heath tripled to right center scoring Kelly, who reached on a single, and Sommer Pollard, who reached on a fielder's choice.

Adkins came into the bottom of the seventh with a three-run lead and mowed down the Mocs in order to close out the first game of the series.

UP NEXT
Saint Leo and Florida Southern return to action Saturday, March 25 for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at the Auburndale Softball Complex.

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.