WINTER PARK, Fla. – In a top-25 showdown, No. 23 Saint Leo softball traveled to Rollins College and knocked off the sixth-ranked Tars 6-3, handing Rollins its first loss of the season behind a dominating performance from Kayla Betts in the circle.

Morgan Shannon and Alyssa Perez led the Lions from the plate, tallying two hits apiece as the Green and Gold as a group knocked around seven hits. Shannon scored a team-best two runs while Perez drove in a game-high three RBI. Madi Mott used one swing of the bat to get within one of Perez's game-high RBI count, when she belted a two-run jack to left field in the sixth. Alexis Miniet was charged with the last RBI of the night for the Lions. Bayley Williams, and Emily Pilon each had a hit in the game. 
 
From the circle, Betts tossed the full game with eight strikeouts allowing three runs on four hits and just a single walk for her sixth win of the year. As a Lion, the sophomore moves to 11-2 in the circle thus far. 
 
Records:
#23 Saint Leo 13-4, 10-3 SSC
#6 Rollins 8-1, 6-1 SSC

After two scoreless innings, on a night where a pitchers' duel was framing up, Saint Leo flipped the script and opened the scoring with two runs in the third after a leadoff double from Emily Pilon. Pilon would score the first run of the game off a fielders choice and error. Alexis Miniet would ground out to second base but allowed Morgan Shannon to score the second run. Rollins cut it to 2-1 with a run in the fourth but the Lions would plate two more in the sixth on a two-run jack by Madi Mott.
 
The Tars answered with a single run in the sixth to make it 4-2 but in the top of the seventh, Saint Leo tacked on two more for a 6-2 lead. Morgan Shannon opened the frame with a walk before Bayley Williams singled up the middle, and both runners advanced an extra base on the play. Alyssa Perez stepped in and drove a shot to the left field corner for a two-run double.
 
Rollins got a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to make it 6-3, but Kayla Betts shut the door with three straight outs, pop up, strikeout, and a foul out to close the game.
 
Up Next
Saint Leo and Rollins return to action Friday for a doubleheader at University Softball Stadium where the first pitch is slated for 6 p.m.
 
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.