SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. – It was another tightly contested contest Friday night in Saint Petersburg as the Saint Leo baseball team fell to Eckerd 1-0 giving the Tritons the series victory 2-1. It marked the fifth-straight one-run loss for the Lions and 12^th of the season.
 
The setback drops Saint Leo's record to 21-23 in 2019 and 10-14 in Sunshine State Conference play. The Tritons improved to 28-15 and 17-10 in league action.
 
Redshirt junior right-hander Ryan Nolan led the Lions on the mound as he went 7.0 strong innings with seven strikeouts and a walk. He scattered four hits and saw one runner cross the plate which was unearned.
 
Offensively senior Brett Coffel took the lead with a 2-for-3 day at the plate which included a double. He was the lone Lion with an extra base hit and the only one to get more than one hit.
 
The decisive run came in the bottom of the sixth as the leadoff batter for the Tritons reached on a throwing error. He then stole second and took third on a failed pickoff attempt. The next batter sent a ball to right field which scored the run with a sacrifice fly. The third batter reached on a hit by pitch and proceeded to steal second and third before the final two outs were recorded with a strikeout and a groundout.
 
The Lions had a runner on third in the first and the ninth innings but both failed to score. Eckerd pitcher Cameron Lanzilli kept the Lions on their toes all night as he went 8.0 innings with eight strikeouts and a walk.
 
The Lions will return home for the final time in 2019 this Thursday and Friday as they welcome in perennial power Florida Southern for a three-game series.  
 
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.