FLORENCE, Ala. – No. 25 Saint Leo softball, the third seed in the south region, took down No. 4 North Alabama, the second seed and host of the South 2 Region, 2-1 at the UNA Softball Complex to advance to the region final undefeated 2-0.
 
Saint Leo (34-15) improves the head-to-head series against the North Alabama (45-6) Lions to 11-5, and 2-0 on the season, where the Lions will play from ahead of Saturday's opponent after going 2-0 through the first two days of action.
 
Auria Mounts got the nod in the circle where she went 4.0 innings with just two hits and two strikeouts before Alison Mitts came in for the next two innings. Mitts allowed the lone run on two hits before Sara Neuman came in for the save on just one walk. Mitts picked up the win and moves to 12-8 on the year.
 
Ashley Morris tallied two of the Lions' five hits while Kacie Kelly, Bailey Burk and Maddy Lynn each notched one. Kelly and Lynn added one RBI on the day.
 
Saint Leo was all over the Lions of North Alabama leaving the bases in the first two innings with a base runner in the third as well. North Alabama took the 1-0 lead on a single through the left side in the fifth inning to claim a 1-0 lead.
 
The Green and Gold came back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Bailey Burk started things off with a leadoff single through the left side on a 1-2 count. Bailey McKenna gave herself up to move Burk over before Maddy Lynn, who was a pinch hitter, tied the game with a double to left center.
 
Sommer Pollard reentered for Lynn at second before Kacie Kelly took the 2-2 pitch deep to center field for a triple to push Pollard across for the lead.
 
With the lead in tacked, Alison Mitts watched as teammate Sara Neuman came in for the save opportunity. Neuman pitched the final inning and allowed a leadoff walk before retiring the side to allow the Green and Gold to take the game Friday 2-1.
 
Up Next …
Saint Leo will play Saturday in the South 2 Region finale with a 2-0 advantage in a double elimination tournament style. The Lions will face the winner of North Alabama, Embry-Riddle or West Florida, depending on Friday night's games.
 
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.