SALEM, Va. – A historic run for the Saint Leo softball team came to an end with a 5-4 decision in eight innings at the hands of Southern Indiana on Sunday, May 27 at the 2018 NCAA Division II Softball Championships. The Lions finished with a 2-2 record at the championships in the first ever appearance having knocked off third-seed Chico State and top-seeded North Georgia. Saint Leo finished the season with a 39-18 record for the sixth straight winning season. 
 
The game against Southern Indiana was started on Saturday, May 26 before being halted until Sunday morning due to weather Saturday afternoon. The Lions were coming up to bat in the top of the sixth with a 4-2 lead.
 
Auria Mounts tossed 5.1 innings of work, allowing three runs on six hits where Alison Mitts and Sara Neuman both threw one inning of work. Mitts and Neuman allowed one run on one and two hits, respectively.
 
Sarah Pauscher went 2-for-4 to lead the Green and Gold, as Ashley Morris and Shyanne DuBois picked up one hit in the game. DuBois, Pauscher, Alexis Miniet and Bailey Burk were all credited with an RBI.
 
In the start of the game, Saint Leo jumped all over the Screaming Eagles with four runs in the top of the first.  Kacie Kelly led off with a walk before Ashley Morris laid down a bunt single. Shyanne DuBois stepped in and singled to center field for an RBI with Kelly racing around to give the Lions their first run of the game. A double steal was on for Morris and DuBois before Sarah Pauscher singles to right field. Alexis Miniet sacrificed herself to bring in DuBois before Bailey Burk reached on a fielder's choice scoring Pauscher for the fourth run of the top half of the inning.
 
The Screaming Eagles got one run back in the bottom half with a double to left field allowed the leadoff batter to score from first making it 4-1 Lions.
 
The pitchers for both teams settled in and both teams went scoreless for the next two frames before Southern Indiana could get another run in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the deficit to 4-2.
 
Saint Leo was in command before rain moved in and the game was called. Deemed unplayable conditions, the game was halted until Sunday morning where the momentum swung to the Screaming Eagles. Saint Leo went in order in the sixth before the Eagles made it 4-3 with a run in the bottom half.
 
Southern Indiana saw a solo shot in the bottom of the seventh tie things at 4-4 to force extra innings. Despite Sarah Pauscher's eighth inning single to center field, the Lions grounded into a double play to end the top half. USI scored the game winning in the bottom of the eighth to eliminate the Green and Gold from the postseason.
 
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.