SAINT LEO, Fla. - Saint Leo Softball took their home opener with a 6-1 win over Florida Southern on Friday night, behind another strong showing from sophomore Kayla Betts. 

Betts allowed Florida Southern to get on the board first in the first inning, but that was all the Mocs would be able to get across. Betts threw her third complete game of the season, giving up just five hits and one earned run and one walk while striking out eight Mocs. Three times she sat down Florida Southern in order, and in the sixth inning Alexandra Hare retired each batter in a row at third base. 

The Lions, down 1-0 after the top of the first, took the lead in the home half of the inning after Alyssa Perez got the inning going with a double. Isabella Andujar and Kendyl Crean both walked to load the bases for Bayley Williams. The junior singled home Perez to tie the ballgame at 1-1, That was followed by Alexandra Hare singling home Andujar and Crean to give Saint Leo a 3-1 lead, and the lead for good. 

Saint Leo went on to expand their lead in the fourth inning. Deanna Falciglia reached first on a fielders choice and then moved over to second on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. That set up Ciara Ford to single her home and give the Lions a 4-1 lead. 

Later in the fifth, Kendyl Crean upped her average with a RBI double to score Alyssa Perez, giving her her fifth RBI of the year and Saint Leo a 5-1. Alyssa Perez earned her seventh RBI when she singled home pinch runner Hope Epps to give the Lions a 6-1 lead. 

Perez finished the night 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a RBI, while Bayley Williams went 2-for-3 with a RBI, and Williams led with two RBI's. 

Saint Leo moves to 7-2 on the season and records their first win in SSC play. The Lions and Moccasins will be back in action on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 from University Softball Stadium.