SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo baseball team faced its second-straight nationally-ranked opponent Thursday afternoon as the Lions played host to #14 Barry in both teams' Sunshine State Conference openers. The Buccaneers used a seven-run sixth inning to pull away and took a 12-3 victory in the series opener.
 
The Lions saw six players register hits in the loss led by sophomore Yazael Nunez who went 2-for-4 at the dish while picking up a double. Freshman Brody Slaughter and junior-transfer Eddie Niemann III each connected on their first career homeruns in a Saint Leo uniform. Niemann hit a two-run bomb over the left field scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth to cut the Lions' deficit to just one run while Slaughter came in as a pinch hitter in the ninth and launched the first pitch he saw over the right field fence.
 
Niemann and Slaughter accounted for all three of the Lions' RBI in the loss while redshirt junior Cooper Trinkle accounted for the first run on Niemann two-run shot.
 
The Lions sent six pitchers to the mound with graduate student Joey Antonopoulos taking the loss after getting the start. Antonopoulos went 3.0 innings, giving up five hits and three runs. He struck out three while allowing just one walk. Redshirt senior Jeremy Peel went the next 2.1 innings while striking out a game-high four. Four others combined for the final 3.2 innings.
 
Frank Gonzalez II of Barry took home the victory going 5.0 innings on the mound with four strikeouts and four hits allowed. He saw two runners cross the plate while being credited with one earned run.
 
Barry posted 18 hits in the victory compared to the Lions' seven while both teams committed one error.
 
The Lions will close out their SSC opening series with the Buccaneers Sunday afternoon in Miami Shores, Fla. with a doubleheader slated to begin at 2:00 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.
 
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.