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Saint Leo University Athletics

THE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC WEBSITE OF THE SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY LIONS
24_Waller_Tampa
Hailey ji Cai deyhun Latlief
3
Winner Tampa #7 UT 40-8
2
Saint Leo SLU 36-16
Winner
Tampa #7 UT
40-8
3
Final
2
Saint Leo SLU
36-16
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R H E
Tampa #7 UT 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 3 9 1
Saint Leo SLU 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 9 0

W: M. Galhouse (16-3) L: Hocquard, Tierney (6-3)

Game Recap: Softball | | Jonathan Glass | Director of Athletic Communications

Softball Drops Series Opener to #7 Tampa 3-2 in Eight Innings

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University softball team suffered a tough extra-inning defeat at home to #7 Tampa. Neither team put more than a single run across the plate in the inning as the Spartans took the series opener 3-2 in eight innings. Saint Leo falls 36-16 overall and 20-8 in SSC play, while the Spartans improve to 40-8 overall and 22-6 in SSC play and lead the Lions by a pair of games in the standings.
 
For such a low scoring game the series opener between the Lions and Spartans featured a lot of action as the teams combined for 18 hits, seven walks, and 21 runners left on base.

Haleigh Thomas made the start in the circle for the Lions going 4.2 innings allowing a pair of runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two. Kayla Swinson came on in relief in the fifth inning and saw one run score on a bases loaded walk but settled in to strand the bases loaded with a line out to left. Tiereny Hocquard pitched three innings as she took the loss tonight allowing just one run on three hilts while striking out three and walking one.

#7 TAMPA 3, SAINT LEO 2 (8 inns.)
  • Thomas opened the game allowing a lead off base hit but stranded the runner at second with a pair of strikeouts swinging and a foul out to keep the Spartans off the board early. She pitched a 1-2-3 second inning collecting her third strikeout of the evening, all of the swinging variety.
  • The Lions put together their first scoring chance of the night as Briana Neal led off the bottom of the second with a base hit to centerfield and on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Hope Epps advanced to second. Hailey Beuerlein put runners on the corners with a one out single to left. Sydney Cline reached base on the fielder's choice to the second baseman as pinch runner Thomas was out on the RBI play that saw Neal score from third.
  • Tampa responded in the top of the third with a run of their own to tie it at 1-1 as a base hit scored the runner from third.
  • Saint Leo loaded the bases in the bottom of the third as four straight batters reached with one out. Waller singled to the pitcher on a bunt that was just out of her reach, but was out on the next play as Tampa's right fielder got the force out at second. The Lions loaded the bases with two outs but the Spartans got out of the inning on a ground out to the pitcher.
  • After the visitors forced a pitching change, the Spartans took the lead on a bases loaded walk. Kayla Swinson ended the inning getting a line out to left field limiting the damage to just one run.
  • The Lions tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth as Sydney Cline drove home pinch runner Nia DeBenedittis. Coe opened the bottom of the sixth with a base hit up the middle and was pinch ran for by DeBenedittis. Neal laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to put the runner in scoring position and DeBenedittis advanced to third on an infield hit to the pitcher by Hope Epps. Epps stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Cline came up to the plate and delivered a clutch base hit to left field to tie the game at 2-2. The Lions only got one run as a strikeout swinging ended the inning.
  • Tiereny Hocquard pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh thanks to back-to-back incredible defensive plays at third by Shyanne Waller.
  • The Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh on a lead off double, a one-out infield hit and a walk. The Spartans got out of the inning unscathed on a fielder's choice cut down the lead runner trying to score and then a strikeout swinging ended the inning to send the game to extra innings.
  • Tampa strung together back-to-back hits to take a 3-2 lead off an infield hit and an RBI triple down the right field line.
  • Saint Leo got the tying run on base as Hailey Beuerlein led off the bottom of the eighth with a base hit up the middle. Hocquard came on to pinch run for Beuerlein and moved up to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Cline. Tampa ended the threat with a strikeout and a ground out to shortstop.

UP NEXT
Saint Leo and Tampa return to University Softball Stadium to complete its SSC series and the 2024 regular season. First pitch for game one is set for 3:30 p.m. The Lions will honor their four seniors following the second game.
 
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