MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The 20th-ranked Saint Leo University softball team split its Saturday doubleheader at Barry University. The Lions rallied for an eight-inning 4-3 win in game two but fell 5-3 in the second game. With the split Barry took the series from Saint Leo. The Lions move to 14-5 overall and 7-2 in SSC action.

Tierney Hocquard remained perfect in the circle for Saint Leo as she picked up her third win of the season and Morgan Shannon got her first save of 2024.
Hope Epps recorded the second three-hit game of her career as she went 3-for-4 in the first game with and scored the go-ahead run.

Thomas had a big hit for the Lions in game two as she put the visitors within striking distance with a two-RBI double in the sixth inning.
 
GAME 1: #20 Saint Leo 4, Barry 3 (8 innings)

• Barry got on the board early with a first inning RBI base hit.
• Hailey Beuerlein put the Lions on top with a two-RBI double to center that scored Shyanne Waller and Haleigh Thomas making it a 2-1 Lions lead.
• The Buccaneers responded in the bottom of the third to tie the game up at 2-2. Barry's catcher Paige White hit an RBI double down the left field line to tie the game.
• The home team took its final lead of the game on a Taylor Thompson sac fly in the bottom of the sixth.
• In similar fashion as earlier in the week against Bridgeport, the Lions were down to their final out. In the top of the seventh with two outs, Thomas sent a base hit to left that scored pinch runner Grace Dunsworth from second to tie the game at 3-3.
• Hocquard made quick work of the Bucs in the bottom of the seventh sitting down the home team in order and sending the game to extra innings.
• In the top of the eighth, Epps successfully laid down a bunt with one out. Pinch hitter Sydney Cline followed with a base hit through the right side of the infield putting runners on first and second. After Barry made a pitching change, Madyson Coe reached on a fielding error by the Bucs shortstop that allowed Epps to score the go ahead run.
• After a lead off base hit and a stolen base to open the bottom of the eighth, Morgan Shannon entered the circle and got three quick outs to retire the side and earn her first save of the season.

GAME 2: Barry 5, #20 Saint Leo 3

• Saint Leo drew a pair of walks in the top of the first but were unable to plate a run, stranding two runners.
• Barry got on the board early in the first with an RBI infield single.
• A four-run third inning proved to be all the Bucs needed as they hit an RBI double to left and then followed with a three run homer to make it a 5-0 lead in favor of the home team.
• The Lions plated three runs in the top of the sixth to erase the shut out.
• Barry's Alexis Martin took a no-hitter into the sixth inning as Coe broke up the no-hitter with a base hit to right field to put runners on the corners for the Lions.
• Jayla Brooks hit a sac fly to center field that saw Cline tag up and score from third putting the visitors on the board.
• Haleigh Thomas came to the plate with two outs and delivered a two-RBI double to left field scoring Alyssa Perez and pinch runner Nia DeBenedittis on the play.
• Following a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth for the Bucs, Saint Leo threatened in the top of the seventh. Epps' one out hit gave the Lions a base runner and she advanced to third as DeBenedittis sent a base hit to right with two outs. However, the threat ended on a ground out to third stranding the potential tying run at first.

UP NEXT
Saint Leo will have a quick turnaround as it will play a pair of doubleheaders at home to open the week. Monday's doubleheader against Assumption is scheduled for a 4 p.m. first pitch. The Lions return to the diamond on Tuesday to host Tiffin (Ohio) for a 5 p.m. doubleheader.