MELBOURNE, Fla. – Late game heroics and a huge sixth inning allowed for Saint Leo softball to sweep Florida Tech Saturday night to take the Sunshine State Conference series two games to one. The Lions rallied late in nine innings of the game at Nancy Bottage Field before late-game momentum carried the Green and Gold to a 12-5 game two decision.  
 
In the two games, the Lions tallied 27 hits and scored 18 runs on the night while Kayla Betts and Madi Mott earned wins in the circle. Mott moved to 4-3 while Betts pushed to a 7-2 record on the season after going 4.0 innings with just a single hit and five strikeouts in game two to go along with her first game five strikeouts in three innings.
 
Alexandra Hare led the Green and Gold from the plate going 6-for-9 with five runs scored and one RBI. Kacie Kelly and Madyson Coe led the team in driving in runs with four RBI apiece, Kelly's all coming in the ninth inning of game one. Coe turned in a 5-for-10 performance on the day. Alli Jaquith went 4-for-8 with two runs scored.
 
Saint Leo 6, Florida Tech 2 – 9 innings
The two teams squared off for the third game of the series and the Panthers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead through three innings. The Lions would rally for one in the fourth and one in the fifth to tie things at 2-2 before an explosion in the top of the ninth for four runs.
 
Madyson Coe's single to left center got the Green and Gold on the board first, scoring Alexis Miniet in the fourth before Kacie Kelly's double to center field scored Alexandra Hare to tie things at 2-2.
 
After fighting into the ninth, with bases loaded and one out, Kacie Kelly would dig in once again with runners on and hit a shot between the five-hole of the pitcher into center field scoring one, then advanced to third on the throw. Brigette Soza came in to take the 3-2 lead but close on her heels was Hare who came in from second and jarred the ball loose for a 4-2 lead. While the ball rolled to the wall, Alli Jaquith, who reached on an infield single, came in to score from first. Kelly, who turned for second and then for third on the throw came in to score as the Panthers' catcher threw the ball away to complete the four-run three-RBI game.
 
Despite the Panthers getting a one-out base runner, the Lions would get a ground out and a strikeout to end the game in nine innings.
 
Madi Mott earned the win after going the final 2.2 innings with just three hits and two strikeouts. Kayla Betts started the game and went three innings with five strikeouts.
 
From the batter's box, Alexandra Hare led the Green and Gold with three hits and two runs scored while Kelly, who was 2-for-5 drove in four runs on the day.
 
Saint Leo 12, Florida Tech 5
Momentum was short-lived for the Lions after a nine-inning rally as the Panthers posted a five-run lead after four innings of play. The Lions needed one spark and got just that in the fifth putting up two runs. Saint Leo answered with eight in the sixth and two more in the seventh.

The Green and Gold scored the first run of the game on a double steal as Kelly came across to score. Coe came up and singled up the middle to score Hare to make it a 5-2 Panthers game.
 
Saint Leo would string together eight in the top of the sixth which led off with a Shelby Westbrook walk, and came around to score on a Jaquith single. The inning ended with a Makensey Pankers single to score Westbrook for her second run of the inning, after reaching on a single and scoring two.
 
Coe would add two more insurance runs as she singled to center field scoring Miniet and Hare for the 11^th and 12^th runs of the game.
 
Betts and the Lions got a 1-2-3 inning with a groundout to shortstop, third base, and the final to second.
 
Up Next
Saint Leo will look to Tampa on Saturday, April 24 for a doubleheader in Tampa, Fla.
 
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.