SAINT LEO, Fla. – The #23 Saint Leo University softball team picked up two more gritty wins Wednesday night, as the Lions defeated Tiffin University 3-1 in Game One and 5-2 in Game Two at University Softball Stadium.
 
SLU 3, TU 1
Saint Leo (16-2, 6-0 SSC) was led by Junior catcher Madyson Coe, hitting 2-for-3 at the plate while Fifth-year outfielder Bayley Williams went 1-for-1 with a run scored.
 
Three different pitchers were used, as the Lions gave Freshman Haleigh Thomas the start before Juniors Kayla Swinson and Kayla Betts made appearances in the game.  All three pitchers recorded two and one-third innings apiece.
 
Swinson (3-1) came in for relief for Thomas in the third inning following a 1-0 lead for Tiffin (4-9, 0-0 GMC), as the Plant City, Fla. native struck out her first at-bat to retire the side.  The Lions tied the game 1-1 from a Coe single up the middle that brought in Freshman Grace Dunsworth.
 
One inning later, Saint Leo took its first lead off an infield muffed throw that allowed Williams to score for the go-ahead run.
 
Coe delivered again in the fifth, this time a RBI double that extended the Green & Gold lead to 3-1.
 
Following a Dragons' leadoff bunt in the sixth, Betts shut the door on any hope of a TU comeback, picking up a second save on the season and preserving a 3-1 Game One win.
 
SLU 5, TU 2
Junior infielder Alexandra Hare was back in a hitting groove, as the batting average leader went 3-for-4 at the plate with a RBI and one run scored.
 
Game Two also saw three different pitchers used, with Junior Morgan Shannon getting the start before Betts once again finished the contest with another Save.
 
Freshman Tierney Hocquard (1-1) was awarded her first career win.
 
The Lions struck first in the first inning (1-0), taking advantage of a bases loaded situation that saw Freshman infielder Briana Neal hit by a pitch.  In the third inning, Saint Leo capitalized on back-to-back doubles, as Neal's RBI double brought home Coe for the 2-0 lead.
 
After Tiffin tied the game 2-2 in the fourth, Hocquard entered the game to record the third out, setting up a three-run inning for the Lions.  Following a Hare go-ahead RBI, more misfortune hit the Dragons, as a fielder's choice hit from Junior infielder Alyssa Perez turned into a critical TU infield error that brought in two more runs to extend the Green & Gold lead to three (5-3).
 
Hocquard would last two more at-bats in the fifth before Saint Leo returned Betts to the circle, quickly fanning three before Tiffin went 1-2-3 in the sixth.  Betts' lone hit allowed occurred in the seventh inning before closing out the contest again with another Save.
 
Saint Leo travels to Melbourne, Fla. this weekend for a Sunshine State Conference series against Florida Tech.  First pitch at Nancy Bottge Field is slated for Friday at 6 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.