SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Saint Leo baseball team lost following a late surge from 21st-ranked Rollins in a high-scoring 13-11 loss Tuesday evening in non-conference play.

The Lions clawed back from an early 4-0 deficit and even grabbed the lead in the sixth inning, but the Tars responded with a six-run seventh and held off a ninth-inning charge to secure the win.

Saint Leo's offense erupted for 11 hits, led by Braden Killens, who launched a massive three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to keep the game within reach. Ryan Robinson added a 2-for-5 night with a double and three RBI, while Dylan McDonald and Dylan Mass each scored three runs.

Rollins opened the scoring with a four-run first inning, highlighted by two-run home run.

The Lions answered with two runs in the fourth and tied the game with a three-run sixth, capped by RBI knocks from Eli Vickers and Thomas DeBrower. Saint Leo briefly took a 5-4 lead before Rollins exploded for six runs in the seventh.

Despite the deficit, the Lions refused to go quietly. Down 13-8 in the ninth, Killens' blast to left-center breathed new life into the home crowd. But Rollins closer Alex Seymour shut the door, striking out the final batter with the tying run still in the on-deck circle.

On the mound, Kaelan Racculia started for the Green and Gold while he pitched 6.0 innings in addition to collecting two strikeouts while allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits.

The Lions are back in action on Friday, April 11 as they travel to face Nova Southeastern in a Sunshine State Conference (SSC) game, starting at 6 p.m.