SAINT LEO, Fla. – After having their conference series moved up a day due to inclement weather. The #20 Saint Leo softball team welcomed Embry-Riddle Thursday afternoon to kick off their three-game Sunshine State Conference series. The Lions took care of business thanks to a strong pitching performance by Kayla Betts. Saint Leo defeated Embry-Riddle, 3-0.

With the win the #20 Saint Leo Lions improve to 26-3 and 9-1 in the SSC.
 
Betts got the start in the circle for the Lions to kickoff the conference season against the Eagles. Betts recorded her 11^th complete game of the season and ninth shut out of the season, improving to 12-0 on the season. Betts struck out seven of 25 batters faced.
 
The Lions got on the board first in the bottom half of the second. Briana Neal led off the inning with a lead off double to left center. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Bianca Polistina would draw a walk to give the Green & Gold runners at the corners. Neal would score the first run of the game due to a throwing error by the Isabelle Bonn trying to catch Polistina stealing second. Polistina would find her way home after Hope Epps reached on an error by Mahaliyah Sandrige. Madison Coe would keep the rally alive with a one run single to left field to extend the Lions lead to three runs.
 
Embry-Riddle was able to record their first hit of the afternoon in the top of the fourth inning. Karina Ortiz-Munoz connected for a single up the middle.
 
Saint Leo continues its three-game series against Embry-Riddle Friday with the traditional doubleheader, as the first pitch is set for 12 p.m.
 
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