SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo softball, ranked fifth in the NFCA Coaches Preseason Poll, opens up the 2019 campaign Friday, Feb. 1 against the 11th-ranked Alabama-Huntsville Chargers. The South Super Regional rematch between the Lions and Chargers is scheduled for first pitch at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.
 
The Gulf Shores Invitational
Saint Leo will open up play Friday against No. 11 UAH at 11 a.m. before taking on West Florida at 4 p.m. The Lions will continue play on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. against Lee before an 8 p.m. scheduled start against West Georgia. Play at the Gulf Shores Invitational will conclude for the Green and Gold on Sunday with a 10 a.m. matchup against Delta State and Mississippi College at 11:30 a.m.
 
About the Lions
The Lions, who are coming off a run to the NCAA Softball Championships and a South 2 Regional and Super Regional title, returns 15 players from the 2018 squad, including first team all-Sunshine State Conference selection Kacie Kelly, and second team selections Ashley Morris and Shyanne DuBois.
 
Kelly led the team in runs (49), doubles (15) and walks (26), while posting a team-best .373 batting average. DuBois and Morris were right behind Kelly tied for second in average at .363 as Morris led the team in hits (70) and DuBois leading in stolen bases (35).
 
The Lions return their top four hitters in terms of average while their top five RBI leaders head back to the diamond in 2019.
 
The Green and Gold welcome eight new faces to the roster with one junior transfer from Seminole State College in Sadi Avants. Avants, a right-handed pitcher from Tushka, Okla. will wear the number eight this season.
 
Saint Leo welcomed in seven freshmen with four from the state of Florida, two from Illinois and one from Colorado. Bayley Williams (No. 1 | New Port Richey, Fla.) is the lone outfielder and is joined by catcher Grace Spitulski (No. 9 | Winter Garden, Fla.), infielders Emily Pilon (No. 13 | Shorewood, Ill.), Kayleice Hooks (No. 16 | Pinellas Park, Fla.) and Kendyl Crean (No. 23 | Tarpon Springs, Fla.), utility player Alli Jaquith (No. 27 | Frankfort, Ill.) and right-handed pitcher Rachel Bean (No. 24 | Highlands Ranch, Colo.).
 
2019 Coaching Staff
Head Coach Erin Kinberger (Saint Leo '07) added Brittany Johnson (Rollins College '16) and Francais Olexa (Lynn University '18) to the coaching staff after the departure of assistants Maddie Holub (to Marshall University as the Pitching Coach) and Sammy Marshall (to Judson University as Head Coach). Kinberger returned assistant coach Pat Affrunti to the staff as the two were part of the 2018 NFCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo softball team be sure to 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.