SAINT LEO, Fla. – Despite their early season struggles, the Lions of the Saint Leo baseball team found their stroke Friday night versus the visiting Eagles of Embry-Riddle in both team's 2020 Sunshine State Conference opener. The Lions connected on 22 hits while scoring 20 runs in a 20-5 victory over the Eagles.
 
Embry-Riddle entered Friday night's game with an 8-2 record and had won four-straight before running into the Lions. Saint Leo on the other hand had struggled to find the win column in 2020 with a 1-8 record before Friday's decision. Saint Leo is now atop the SSC standings with a 1-0 record and new momentum heading into Saturday's doubleheader with the Eagles.
 
The 20 runs were the most scored by the Lions since 2016 when Saint Leo defeated Lynn on the road 27-7 in a series finale.
 
Senior Amir Wright had a night reaching base seven times while going 5-of-7 at the plate with six runs scored, an RBI, a double and a stolen base. Friday night marked Wright's second five-hit performance of the season.
 
Senior Jake Vander Wal and redshirt junior James McCallum tied for the team lead with four RBI each. Vander Wal was 4-for-5 at the plate with four RBI, two runs scored, a double and two walks. McCallum was 2-of-5 with two runs scored, a walk and a grand slam, his second home run of the season.
 
Junior Sam Crail and redshirt sophomore PJ Barry each chipped in three RBI. Crail was 4-of-5 with three RBI, a run scored, a triple and two stolen bases. Barry went 2-for-5 at the plate with three RBI, three runs scored, two walks and a pair of doubles.
 
The only other Lion with multiple RBI was senior Brett Esau who had two RBI on a 3-for-6 day at the dish with two runs scored and a walk.
 
Sophomore Ruddy Gomez earned the Friday night start for the Lions on the mound and went 6.0 strong innings while scattering six hits, striking out six and walking just one. He allowed four runs including three earned. He picked up his second win of the season to improve to 2-1 on the year.
 
Three Lions finished out the game going one inning each including redshirt sophomore Hunter Keim, graduate transfer Graeme Cherry and freshman Andy Booth.  
 
The Eagles sent six different pitchers to the mound while Garrett Goodall suffered the loss going just 1.1 innings with two strikeouts, three walks and four runs allowed.
 
The Lions scored early and often Friday night scoring eight runs over the opening three innings to take an 8-1 lead. After a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth, the Lions returned to the scoreboard with two runs in the fifth and a huge seven in the sixth. The seven-run sixth included the McCallum grand slam. The Lions finished off the scoring with three more runs in the eighth.
 
The Lions will close out the three game series with Embry-Riddle tomorrow with a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 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.