MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - It was the start they were long waiting for. After a mid-season shutdown in 2020, Saint Leo softball, ranked fourth in the country, opened up the season with a 3-0 victory on the road at Barry. In game two, non-Sunshine State Conference play, the Buccaneers came out on top, 6-3.  

The Lions (1-1, 1-0 SSC) scattered seven hits on the day with Alyssa Perez notching a team-high three hits in the two games with one RBI and one double, with Kacie Kelly trailing with two hits, one RBI and one double. Grace Spitulski and Alexandra Hare were credited with the other two hits on the day. 

Kayla Betts picked up the win in game one with 4.2 innings of work with seven strikeouts while Morgan Shannon earned the save, her first of the year, with three strikeouts. In game two, Sadi Avants suffered the loss while Shannon tacked on five more strikeouts to bring her season total to seven.

Barry (1-1, 0-1 SSC) put together 11 hits between the two games, with eight coming in game two.
 
#4 Saint Leo 3, Barry 0
Saint Leo opened the season with a win behind sophomore Kayla Betts' win in the circle. Betts went 4.2 innings allowing just two hits while fanning seven batters before turning things over to freshman Morgan Shannon, who finished off the game for her first collegiate appearance and save. Shannon went 2.1 innings with three strikeouts and a single hit.
 
As a group, the Green and Gold put together three hits in game one from Alyssa Perez, Grace Spitulski, and Alexandra Hare, who had a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning. 
 
Saint Leo would get on the board first in the top of the first as freshman Alyssa Perez hit a bloop single to right field scoring Sadi Avants from second. The Lions would tack on two more in the fifth inning as Grace Spitulski started the inning with a single to center field. After two sacrifice bunts, the Lions patience at the plate paid off as Shelby Westbrook drew a full-count walk and an intentional walk to Kacie Kelly loaded the bases.
 
A fielding error by the third baseman allowed for the second run to score before Emily Pilon was hit-by-pitch to plate another for a 3-0 lead after five innings.
 
Both teams would strand runners over the final two innings but the Green and Gold went on for the season-opening victory.

Barry 6, #4 Saint Leo 3
Saint Leo dropped game two of the day in non-conference action 6-3 behind Kacie Kelly and Alyssa Perez's two-hit games. Shelby Westbrook, Sadi Avants, and Morgan Shannon each scored a run in the setback.
 
Avants got the nod in the circle and went 2.0 innings suffering the loss before Shannon came in for the final four innings of work tallying five strikeouts.
 
The Lions jumped on the Bucs to start game two, but Barry battled back and covered the spread and one for a 3-2 lead after the first inning of action. After two scoreless frames, the Bucs added two more for a 5-2 advantage up to the sixth inning.
 
After Makensey Pankers walked to start the inning, Morgan Shannon reached on a fielder's choice before it turned to Kacie Kelly with one on and two outs in the top of the sixth. Kelly would double to left center driving in Shannon to cut the deficit to 5-3.
 
Barry would answer in the bottom half with a lone run to bring the score to what would be the final, 6-3.

Up Next
Saint Leo and Barry round out the Sunshine State Conference season series Sunday, March 7 at 1:30 pm at University Softball Stadium. Game time was originally March 6 at 2 pm but due to inclement weather, was postponed until Sunday afternoon. 

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.

How to Watch
Lions fans are able to watch the game and follow live stats via the Sunshine State Conference Digital Network where the Green and Gold's home games will be streamed and carry live statistics. For viewing any of the Green and Gold's contests against conference opponents, go to sunshinestateconference.tv or directly to the Lions' portal HERE. For following along with the live stats, fans can view them HERE. For more coverage of the Saint Leo softball program or any of the University's intercollegiate events, go to saintleolions.com/coverage.

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.