TAMPA, Fla. – In a battle between the top-ranked teams in the South Region, the #11 Saint Leo University softball team set the tone in a defensive duel Friday night, as the Lions subdued the #1 Tampa Spartans 2-1 at Naimoli Stadium.
 
Saint Leo (40-7, 21-4 SSC) became the first team to defeat the Spartans (35-3, 35-2 SSC) at home this season, snapping Tampa's 14-game win streak.
 
The Green & Gold tallied 10 hits against UT, highlighted by another perfect performance at the plate from Junior infielder Alexandra Hare (4-for-4) and Freshman infielder Briana Neal's pair of RBI hits.
 
Junior pitcher Kayla Betts (22-2) shut down the Spartans' hitting unit, pitching a complete game to concede four hits, one run, and one walk while fanning 14 on the night.
 
Both sides flew by the first five innings before Saint Leo broke the deadlock in the sixth inning with a run scored.  Following a flyout by the leadoff hitter, Hare got on base with a hit to left field before Junior infielder Alyssa Perez's lone hit of the night put the Lions in scoring position.  After a fielder's choice hit from Freshman outfielder Bianca Polistina advanced Hare to third, Neal delivered on the first RBI to score in Hare and give the Green & Gold a 1-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Betts threw a leadoff strikeout before the Spartans responded with a triple by Camryn Wineinger.  Following a pop-up fly, Tampa was down to its last out before the Red & Black found its game-tying RBI to stay alive 1-1 and force the contest into extra innings.
 
After scoreless eighth and ninth innings, the Lions took advantage of a Tampa fielding error in the 10th inning, setting up Neal for the game-winning RBI to score in Hare again, giving Saint Leo the go-ahead 2-1 lead.
 
Once again, Betts closed the deal in the bottom of the 10th, as the Wilson/NFCA Pitcher of the Week tossed three more strikeouts to clinch the 2-1 win in the opening game of the series.
 
The Lions are back in action Saturday with a doubleheader against the Spartans.  First pitch at Naimoli Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
 
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