TAMPA, Fla. – No. 16 Saint Leo softball bounced back to win game one of the Saturday doubleheader but dropped game two to fall 1-2 in the Sunshine State Conference series opener.
 
Kacie Kelly led the Green and Gold on the day going 3-for-6 from the plate with one RBI. Emily Pilon joined Kelly with multiple hits, earning two on the day with one run scored. Pilon and Maddy Lynn were the lone two runs on the day. Lynn, Kayleice Hooks, and Sarah Pauscher each tallied a hit on the day.
 
Sara Neuman earned the win in game one going 5.1 innings with two strikeouts while Kayla Betts earned save number three in her freshman campaign. Rachel Bean pitched 2.0 innings in game two and suffered the loss before Betts came in for relief and went 0.2 innings. Madi Mott closed out the series finale tossing 3.1 innings picking up four strikeouts.

Results | Records
#16 Saint Leo 2, Tampa 0 | SLU 11-4, 1-1 SSC; UT 8-5, 3-2 SSC
Tampa 3, #16 Saint Leo 0 | UT 9-5, 4-2 SSC; SLU 11-5, 1-2 SSC
 
In the first game, the Lions got on the board in the second after an error allowed Emily Pilon to score before Kacie Kelly singled through the left side to score Maddy Lynn. Tampa had chances to score but left nine stranded on base including a bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Sara Neuman picked up the first win of the year after 5.1 strong innings with six hits and two strikeouts. Kayla Betts came in and earned her third save going the final 1.2 innings with one strikeout.
 
In game two, the Spartans scored runs in the first, second, and fourth and held off the Lions for the 2-1 series win after the Green and Gold stranded five runners on throughout the game.

Up Next
Saint Leo will look to its next SSC series on Feb. 28-29 when the Lions host Palm Beach Atlantic.
 
For more information on the Saint Leo softball program, 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.