MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The 23^rd-ranked Saint Leo baseball team fell for the first time this season in a Sunshine State Conference series as they split a doubleheader Saturday at Barry. The Lions fell in the opening game by the slimmest of margins at 4-3 before storming back in game two to win 10-5. The Buccaneers took the opening game Friday night to claim a 2-1 series victory.
 
The split moves the Lions record to 10-7 on the year and 3-3 in Sunshine State Conference play. The Bucs improved to 10-4 overall and 6-3 in league action.
 
The opening game looked to be a high scoring affair as Barry scored two in the first followed by a pair of runs from the Lions in the second. The Lions took a brief 3-2 lead in the top of the third before Barry tied things up in the bottom half. Following the third inning both teams would see their offenses slow down as the Lions went scoreless for six innings and the Bucs managed just one run. Barry took the lead for good in the sixth as the Buccaneers strung together a pair of hits to get a run across.
 
Redshirt sophomore Danny Torres and redshirt senior Derek Gibree were the only Lions with multiple hits in the contest as they each finished with two. They also accounted for the Lions only extra base hits as they each finished with a double.
 
The second game once again saw Barry jump out to an early lead as they scored one in the first and one in the second. The Lions responded in the fourth with an explosive six-run stanza.
 
After a strikeout to open the inning, seniors Jared Morello, Peyton Isaacson and Brett Coffel hit back-to-back-to-back singles to drive across the first run of the game for the Lions. Next to the dish was redshirt freshman Logan Flood who drew a hit by pitch to load the bases. Following an infield fly, sophomore Matt Morgan stepped to the plate and sent a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence to secure the first grand slam of his career.
 
The Lions were not done yet as Gibree doubled to left center and was brought home by an Amir Wright single for the sixth run of the inning.
 
Saint Leo would tack on a run in the fifth, a run in the sixth and two in the eighth to secure the 10-5 victory. Barry's final three runs came in the seventh (2) and eighth (1) innings.
 
Redshirt junior Ryan Nolan went 6.2 strong innings on the mound while striking out seven and walking just one. He scattered nine hits and allowed four runs to cross the plate. Junior Kaleb Huxford pitched 1.1 innings while junior Trevor Sanchez closed out the game going the final inning on the mound.
 
Redshirt senior Shane Haight suffered the loss in game one after going 6.0 innings on the mound with seven Ks and just one walk allowed.
 
The Lions will now return to some non-conference action as they welcome in Tiffin for a three-game series next Friday, Saturday and Sunday. First pitch Friday night is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo baseball 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.