SAINT LEO, Fla. – Sophomore pitcher Haleigh Thomas pitched her 10th scoreless outing for her 12th win of the season. Saint Leo University softball used a five-run second inning to take the series opener against Lynn, winning in run-rule fashion in five innings. The Lions 8-0 win improved their overall record to 32-14 and 16-6 in the SSC. Lynn falls to 12-32 and 3-22 in conference play.

Thomas pitched five innings of scoreless ball as she allowed just three hits while walking three and striking out 10 Fighting Knights.

Madyson Coe and Jayla Brooks led the offense with a pair of hits each. Brooks, Alexis Barber, and Shyanne Waller combined to score six of the Lions eight runs scoring two runs each. Barber and Alyssa Perez led the team with a pair of RBI each.
 
SAINT LEO 8, LYNN 0 (5 inns.)

• The Lions sent nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the second inning as they put a five spot on the board. With runners on first and second and one out, Shyanne Waller singled through the right side of the infield to plate what turned out to be the game-winning run. After Sydney Cline walked to load the bases, Alexis Barber reached on a fielder's choice as Lynn attempted to get the lead runner out at home but the throw took the catcher off the plate before she got the ball allowing Jayla Brooks to score. Alyssa Perez put the Lions up 3-0 as Waller scored on a sacrifice fly to center. Coe made it a 4-0 game with an RBI infield hit to score Cline. Hailey Beuerlein added a fifth run for the Lions as she doubled to centerfield scoring Barber but the inning ended as Coe was thrown out at home.
• Lynn threatened in the top of the third as three straight batters reached with two outs to load the bases. Thomas ended the threat as she got the a strikeout looking to end the top half of the third.
• Barber led off the bottom of the fourth wit ha triple to leftfield that nearly got over the fence. Perez quickly drove home Barber as she dropped a base hit just inside the left field line to put the Lions up 6-0.
• The Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth as the first three batters all reached base on a base hit up the middle, and a pair of walks. Barber was hit by the first pitch she saw to drive in the seventh Saint Leo run of the night. After Perez was out on an infield fly for the first out of the inning, a wild pitch ended the game as Waller scored the final run giving the Lions the 8-0 win in five innings.

UP NEXT
Saint Leo and Lynn return to the diamond on Saturday to complete its three-game SSC series with a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for noon at University Softball Stadium.