SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University softball team gave a whole new meaning to Monday night softball at the University Softball Stadium, as the Lions took Game One over #25 Wilmington 2-0 before falling 1-0 to the Wildcats in Game Two.
 
SLU 2, WILMU 0
In a defensive battle, the Lions (14-2, 6-0 SSC) could only tally six hits in the contest while limiting the Wildcats (5-3, 0-0 CACC) to just two.  Freshman Briana Neal and Junior Alyssa Perez had the best performances in the first game.
 
Outside of hitting, Junior pitcher Kayla Betts (7-0) picked up her second win of the season against a nationally-ranked opponent, pitching a complete game and allowing two hits and fanning seven.
 
Runs came at a premium, as Neal brought home Junior infielder Alyssa Perez for the 1-0 lead in the first inning.  The Green & Gold gave up its first hit in the fourth inning before responding with another run one inning later to extend it 2-0.
 
Wilmington would only get a leadoff single in the sixth before Betts finished shutting down the Wildcats' bats and solidify a 2-0 win.
 
WILMU 1, SLU 0
Despite the score line, Junior Alexandra Hare found a way to add spark to an already booming 2023 start, going 2-for-3 at the plate.  At the circle, Head Coach Erin Kinberger gave the nod to Freshman pitcher Ainsley Perdicaris, finishing the night throwing four and two-third innings, allowing four hits with two strikeouts.  Fellow freshman pitcher Tierney Hocquard (0-1) saw action in her second appearance on the season to give up just one hit and no earned runs in two and one-third innings.
 
Hare's hit in the fourth inning was Saint Leo's first in the contest, but the first five innings mostly saw three-up three-down sequences.
 
In a deadlocked second game, Wilmington looked for ways to break open the contest, as the Wildcats found their lone opportunity in the sixth when a pair of Lions' errors scored the go-ahead run for WILMU.
 
The bottom of the sixth provided many opportunities to tie the game, as Sophomore Caroline Barwick pinch ran for Sophomore Shyanne Waller and stole second to advance to scoring position.  Hare's follow-up hit got Barwick to third before Wilmington's pitching foiled an equalizing chance and left two on base for Saint Leo.
 
One inning later, the Lions were once again in position to find the tying run with runners on first and second with one out before a would-be single by Waller was deflected off Fifth-year Bayley Williams, nullifying progress and giving the Lions two outs.  The next at-bat saw Betts keeping the game alive, but a 63 play sealed a 1-0 series-splitting win to the Wildcats.
 
The Lions remain at home Wednesday, hosting Tiffin University from Ohio for another softball non-conference doubleheader.  First pitch at University Softball Stadium is set for 5 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo softball, 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.