SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo University softball team extended its win streak to 16 with a 3-1 victory in game one of the doubleheader at Florida Tech. The 16-game win streak was the third-longest win streak in program history. The Panthers ended the streak at 16 as they used a walk-off sac fly to claim the series finale. Saint Leo's pitching combined for 16 strikeouts across the two games. With the split, Saint Leo is now 24-9 on the season and 9-6 in conference play, while Florida Tech is now 22-14 overall and 8-7 in SSC action.
 
In the first game, sophomore Sydney Cline delivered a pair of RBI for the Lions. Sophomore Alexis Barber had three hits for a second straight game as she was the only Lion to have a multi-hit performance. Four Lions stole a base, as Briana Neal led the game with a pair of stolen bases on as many attempts. Freshman Chloe Hocquard pitched her second career complete game, striking out eight batters in her fifth win of the season.
 
In game two, Cline led the way with two hits and an RBI. Barber recorded yet another multi-hit game, going three-for-four with a double for her third straight three-hit game. Freshman Bella DeJulio pitched two and a third innings, striking out a batter as she allowed two earned runs. Junior Tierney Hocquard entered in relief and pitched four and one third innings, striking out seven batters while allowing two earned runs.
 
Game 1: Saint Leo 3, Florida Tech 1

• Cline drove in the opening run in the top of the first with a sacrifice bunt to score Neal for the early 1-0 lead.
• In the top of the second, Hope Epps stole second base and advanced to third after the throw from home went wide as Lindsay Corazzini came into score, giving Saint Leo a two-run lead.
• Florida Tech got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on a wild pitch.
• The Panthers threatened to add on more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Thanks to some crafty pitching by C. Hocquard and a defense that held their ground the Lions stranded the runners to keep it a 2-1 game.
• Cline added an insurance run in the seventh inning with an infield base hit to the pitcher that scored Neal.

 
Game 2: Florida Tech 4, Saint Leo 3

• Cline continued her impressive day, doubling in the first run of the game in the top of the first.
• Florida Tech opened the bottom of the third with back-to-back base hits and after a fly out, the Lions made a pitching change. With runners on first and second, Friday nights starter, Tiereny Hocquard came on in relief. The Panthers tied the game on a sac fly and then took a two-run lead with a two-RBI base hit to second.
• Sophomore Gabi Olavarria delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning to cut the home teams lead to one.
• After consecutive scoreless frames, Olavarria delivered a one-out triple in the top of the seventh.
• Down to its last strike, the Lions found a way to tie the game as Neal singled home Olavarria to tie the game at three.
• A comeback victory was not to be, as Florida Tech hit a leadoff double in the seventh. The runner quickly was able to come home to score as Saint Leo saw its win streak end at 16 games.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo returns to the friendly confines of Mary Cannon Cabot Softball Stadium for a three-game SSC series against the Embry-Riddle Eagles. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m.