SAINT LEO, Fla. – It was a complete team effort up and down the lineup for the Saint Leo baseball team Wednesday night as the Lions knocked off visiting Florida Southern 14-7 in Sunshine State Conference action. The two teams had been scheduled to play on four different dates so far this season and were finally able to pull off one of the match-ups Wednesday night. All nine bats in the Saint Leo lineup finished with at least one hit while three Lions finished with three hits each to lead the way.
 
The Lions pounded out a season-high 18 hits against the Mocs while scoring 14 times. The Mocs managed to pick up 13 hits and plate seven runners but it was not enough for the high-powered Lion offense who seemed to threaten to score almost every inning.
 
Saint Leo only produced three extra base hits including two doubles and one grand slam home run. The other 15 hits were of the single variety as the Lions used small ball including 10 free bases off of eight walks and a pair of HBPs.
 
Junior Eddie Niemann III, redshirt junior Adrien Roa and senior Sam Crail all picked up three hits in the victory. Niemann was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and a walk, Roa was also 3-for-4 with a run scored and two walks while Crail went 3-for-5 with a run scored, a walk, a home run and four RBI.
 
Junior Mike Wyman was the only other Lion with more than one RBI as he finished with three while going 2-for-5 at the dish with a run scored. Redshirt senior Danny Torres and sophomore Yazael Nunez each accounted for a double for the Lions and they each drove in one score. Nunez, Wyman and redshirt junior Cooper Trinkle all joined Niemann III, Roa and Crail with multiple hits as the trio each finished with two apiece.
 
On the mound redshirt sophomore Jared Beck became the first Saint Leo starter to take home a victory as he went 6.0 innings on the mound with a strikeout and a walk. He allowed seven hits while scattering four runs including two earned.  Redshirt senior Hunter Keim pitched the next inning with a walk, three hits and three runs allowed while redshirt junior Devin Blair finished the final 2.0 innings with a strikeout and three hits allowed. He did not allow a run to cross the plate.
 
The victory moves the Lions record to 3-4 on the year and 2-3 in SSC action. The Mocs fell to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in league play.
 
The Mocs jumped out early scoring a solo home run on the first pitch of the game to take a 1-0 lead after the top of the first. The Lions scored twice in the bottom half to take their first lead of the game. The Mocs quickly tied it up at two in the second with a solo run before the Lions opened up things in the third. The Lions belted out six hits in the inning and took advantage of one FSC error to plate six runs. Five different Lions drove in a run in the inning and it was the first of two innings in which the Lions "batted-around".
 
FSC would add to more runs in the fourth to cut the lead to 8-4. A single run by the Lions in the fifth proceeded a five-run sixth that was highlighted by the Crail grand slam. Crail entered his third at bat of the game having gone one for his previous 17 at bats on the season. He then hit a single in the third, a single in the fifth before blasting a bases loaded home run over the right field fence in the sixth that blew up an already big lead for the Lions. FSC would rally for three runs in the eighth but that would be all for the Mocs as they fell 14-7.
 
Saint Leo will be back in action tomorrow, March 25 as the Lions open up a series with Lynn by hosting the Fighting Knights for a 5 p.m. single game.
 
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.
 
Keeping Our Lions Healthy & Safe
Saint Leo University Athletics is keeping our student-athletes healthy and safe by following a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes having student-athletes tested or screened on a regular basis, traveling in smaller groups, holding competitions without fans in attendance, avoiding overnight trips, and wearing masks when not competing. These safety standards meet those set by the NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference President's Council. At Saint Leo University, the COVID-19 Incident Command Team also reviews the teams' safety protocol and monitors adherence on a regular basis.