SAINT LEO, Fla. – Saint Leo University Softball earned a convincing doubleheader sweep of Valdosta State on Sunday afternoon at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium. Both of the Lions starting pitchers took a no-hitter late into the game as three pitchers combined to limit the Blazers to just two runs across on the day. With the sweep Saint Leo improves to 7-3 on the season as Valdosta State Falls to 4-7 overall.

Haleigh Thomas pitched a complete game in game one allowing just three hits and a single run on five walks and while striking out four. In the second game, Juli Stachowicz tossed four no-hit innings despite allowing a run in the first inning. Tiereny Hocquard entered in relief in the fifth inning of the second game allowing a pair of hits but stranded both runners to end the game.

A pair of runs in the third inning of game one was all Saint Leo needed to earn the opening victory but added a third run in the fourth inning for the 3-1 win.

After allowing a run in the top of the first, Saint Leo exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the second inning as it sent 14 batters to plate.  The Lions scored ten runs on seven hits and an error in the offensive explosion.

At the plate, Hope Epps and Briana Neal led the Lions with three hits each and both combined to go six-for-six in stolen bases with Neal accounting for four. Neal and Sydney Cline combined for six of the Lions 12 RBI on the day with three each. Saint Leo outscored Valdosta State 13-2 in the doubleheader sweep. 14 of the Lions 15 hits on the day were singles as Epps had a triple in the second game as the lone extra base hit.

GAME 1: SAINT LEO 3, VALDOSTA STATE 1
Saint Leo used a strong third inning and a dominant pitching performance from Thomas to secure a 3-1 victory over Valdosta State.
After two scoreless innings, the Lions broke through in the bottom of the third. Epps led off with a single up the middle and quickly stole second. Briana Neal followed with an RBI single, putting Saint Leo on the board. Neal then stole second before Sydney Cline drove in another run with a single up the middle, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead.
Saint Leo added an insurance run in the fourth as Marissa Martinez singled and later scored on an RBI base hit by Shyanne Waller, extending the lead to 3-0.
Valdosta State threatened in the sixth with a base hit and later scored on an infield hit to cut the deficit to 3-1. However, Thomas remained composed, stranding a runner at first to maintain the lead.
Thomas was stellar in the circle, going the distance with a complete-game three-hitter, allowing just one run while striking out four and walking five for her fourth win of the season. She worked around trouble multiple times, stranding eight Valdosta State runners.
Saint Leo's defense sealed the victory in the seventh, with Thomas inducing three ground outs to secure the win.

GAME 2: SAINT LEO 10, VALDOSTA STATE 1 (5 inns.)
Valdosta State took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first after on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch drove in the first run of the game. However, Saint Leo's defense limited further damage, stranding three runners.
Saint Leo responded with an offensive dominance in the bottom of the second, igniting a 10-run rally. The Lions were gifted their first two runners as Shyanne Waller walked and Hailey Beuerlein was hit by a pitch. Maddie Antioco advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. A clutch RBI hit off the bat of Hope Epps tied the game at 1-1. A string of aggressive base running and timely hitting followed, highlighted by Briana Neal's two-run single, Alexis Barber's RBI hit, and a two-run single from Sydney Cline. The Lions continued to capitalize on defensive miscues, including a fielding error that extended the inning, ultimately plating 10 runs on seven hits.
From there, Saint Leo's pitching took control. Stachowicz was dominant, allowing just one run on no hits over four innings while striking out a pair. Hocquard closed the game with a scoreless fifth inning, sealing the victory as the Lions' defense remained flawless, committing zero errors.
 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo hits the road for its first SSC series of the season. The Lions with head to Tampa for a three-game series with the Spartans on Friday, February 14.