SALEM, Va. – Saint Leo rallied in the fifth inning to hold a one run lead heading into the final three innings before Saint Anselm scored two runs in the seventh inning to win the game 4-3 at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex.
 
The Lions, who moved to 38-17 on the year, trailed 2-0 after two innings before rallying with three runs in the fifth inning. The Hawks would score two runs in the seventh inning to take the game 4-3.
 
Shyanne DuBois led the Lions from the plate going 3-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI. Saint Leo saw five players record one hit on the day behind DuBois' two, in Ashley Morris, Bailey Burk, Bailey McKenna and Sommer Pollard. The Green and Gold's first three batters, Kacie Kelly, Ashley Morris and Shyanne DuBois, were credited with a run scored Friday afternoon.
 
Auria Mounts got the start for the Lions and went 1.2 innings before Alison Mitts came in for the final 4.2 innings. Mounts and Mitts both gave up two runs and three walks where Mitts recorded four strikeouts allowing four hits to Mounts' three.
 
The Hawks got on the board in the second inning after a bases loaded walk plated the first run of the game. Saint Anselm added another run on a single to short where there was no play to be made. After a pitching change, Alison Mitts picked up her first strikeout of the game to end the inning.
 
Saint Leo and Saint Anselm couldn't get across the plate in the third or fourth innings before the Green and Gold changed the scoreboard from a zero to a run in the fifth inning. Sommer Pollard got things started with a single down the left field line. Kacie Kelly reached on a fielder's choice before advancing to third on a double to left field from Ashley Morris. Shyanne DuBois' bloop single to right field allowed Kelly and Morris to come across to tie the game 2-2, before racing around to third as the ball got under the right fielder's glove.
 
Bethany Kursch stepped up with two outs and DuBois on third and she delivered the go-ahead RBI with a groundout to shortstop allowing DuBois to slide across for the lead.
 
The Lions protected the 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth, stranding a runner on base before they went down in order 1-2-3 in the sixth inning. Mitts dealt a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half to keep it 3-2 Saint Leo.
 
Heading to the bottom of the seventh ahead 3-2, back-to-back singles put the go-ahead run at the plate for the Hawks. A single to left field allowed the tying run to cross the plate with one out, and runners on the corners. A suicide squeeze would allow the Hawks to walk-off win 4-3.
 
Saint Leo has scored five runs in the fifth inning in their first two games in the NCAA Softball Championships with two against Chico State and three against Saint Anselm.
 
Up Next …
Saint Leo will take on North Georgia at 8:30 am on Field 3 of the Moyer Sports 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.