SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo baseball team came to the ballpark Saturday ready to hit after a one-hit shutout loss Friday night. The Lions combined to produce 30 hits and 22 runs over the two games Saturday to steal the series away from visiting Palm Beach Atlantic.
 
Despite the Lions best efforts the Sailfish would not go down easy as they produced 12 runs and 16 hits over the two games to go toe-to-toe with the hosts. The Lions fell behind early in game one but produced an eight-run inning late to take a 14-5 victory in the opener of the twinbill. The second game saw the Sailfish lead nearly the entire game until a late rally that included two runs in the sixth, three in the seventh and three in the eighth gave Saint Leo the 8-7 edge.
 
The victories move Saint Leo's record to 16-14 on the year and 5-7 in Sunshine State Conference play. The Sailfish fell to 16-15 overall and 6-9 in league action.
 
Senior Jared Morello led the offensive effort for the Lions going 6-for-10 with a double, four runs scored and two RBI. He also drew a walk and drove in the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth inning of the second game. Senior Brett Coffel went 4-for-4 in the opening game before finishing 5-for-9 with three RBI, three runs scored and a walk.
 
Eight different Lions drove in runs on the day for Saint Leo led by junior Jacob Reimold who accounted for a team-high five RBI. He was 3-for-7 at the dish with two runs scored, a double and a home run.
 
Morello, Reimold, senior Peyton Isaacson, junior Corey Mumaw, sophomore Danny Torres, senior Derek Gibree and freshman Paul Coumoulos all produced doubles on the day while Reimold was the lone Lion to go deep.
 
Junior McCabe Sargent took the start in game one for the Lions on the mound and went 7.2 innings with five strikeouts, three walks and four hits allowed. Five runners crossed the plate including just two earned. Freshman Brady McGarry closed out the final 1.1 innings with a strikeout and no hits allowed. Sargent picked up his third win of the season.
 
In game two, Shane Haight took the mound and went 5.2 innings while striking out four. He allowed nine hits and six runs. Joey Antonopoulos pitched the next 2.1 innings and took home the victory. He allowed just three hits and struck out two. Isaacson pitched the final inning with one strikeout and no hits allowed. Antonopoulos improved to 3-2 on the year while Isaacson secured his second save of the season.
 
The Lions will hit the road for the next couple of weeks starting with a midweek tilt at Flagler, Tuesday, April 2 at 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.