LAKELAND, Fla. – On a day set aside to recognize a pair of strong and talented softball coaches, both the Saint Leo and Florida Southern softball teams came together in a show of unity. The teams honored Saint Leo's head coach Erin Kinberger and Florida Southern's assistant coach Marti Littlefield—two strong and fearless women—as they each bravely face their own battles with breast cancer.
 
Saint Leo swept the Saturday doubleheader to complete the series sweep of the Moccasins. Backed behind quality pitching from a pair of freshman, coupled with a potent bat from Maddie Antioco, who went 3-for-4 with four RBI and an pair of runs scored in the second game the Lions completed the sweep of the Mocs to improve to 30-9 overall and 15-6 in SSC play. Saint Leo has won its last six games and are 22-1 since opening the season 8-8.
 
GAME 1: SAINT LEO 3, FLORIDA SOUTHERN 0

• Freshman pitcher Chloe Hocquard pitched a complete game two-hit shutout in the first game allowing just three base runners while striking out six Mocs in seven innings of work to improve to 4-0. The Green & Gold recorded nine hits as four Lions had a multi-hit game.
• Saint Leo scored a single run in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to earn a 3-0 win in the first game.
• Lindsay Corrazini opened the scoring with an RBI base hit in the fourth inning to score Haleigh Thomas. 
• Tegan Larrimore scored the second Saint Leo run as Sydney Cline reached on a fielding error by the first baseman.
• In the sixth inning, the Lions took a 3-0 lead as Gabi Olavarria hit a sacrifice fly that saw Hope Epps tag and score.

 
GAME 2: SAINT LEO 11, FLORIDA SOUTHERN 1

• Freshman Bella DeJulio earned her sixth win of the season as she allowed a single run on three hits while walking one and striking out two in five innings of work in the circle.
• Saint Leo earned the 11-1 five-inning victory on 15 hits and one Moccasin error. The offense capped off the win with a seven-run fifth inning to earn the run-rule victory. 
• Maddie Antioco opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI triple scoring Alexis Barber. Antioco scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Cline to put the visitors up 2-0.
• Saint Leo added two more runs in the second inning as Antioco's two-RBI base hit through the right side scored Olavarria and Waller for a 4-0 Saint Leo lead. 
• Florida Southern got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI double from first baseman. 
• Saint Leo erupted for seven runs in a big inning, turning a 4-1 lead into an 11-1 advantage over Florida Southern. The rally was sparked by Cline's single, followed by Larrimore stealing second and eventually scoring on a single and throwing error by the catcher. Key RBI hits came from Hope Epps, Nia. DeBenedits, Briana Neal, Barber, Antioco, and Marissa Martinez. The Lions capitalized on multiple errors, wild pitches, and aggressive base running to build a commanding lead. 
• Florida Southern threatened in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff base hit. DeJulio sent down the next three batters to end the game unscathed. Larrimore made a highlight catch in left field to seal the victory for the Lions.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo returns to Mary Cannon Cabot Softball Stadium next weekend to host the Sharks of Nova Southeastern for a three-game Sunshine State Conference series. First pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m.