SAINT LEO, Fla. – The ninth-ranked Saint Leo University softball team extended its win streak to 14 games with a doubleheader sweep of the Caldwell Cougars on Wednesday night. The Lions downed the Cougars 8-3 in game one before run-ruling the visitors 13-0 in five innings to complete the sweep. Saint Leo improves to 19-2-1 overall and 6-0 in SSC play, while Caldwell falls to 1-9 overall.

Saint Leo defeated Caldwell 8–3 behind a balanced offensive effort and a complete-game performance from Haleigh Thomas. The Lions finished with 10 hits, led by Briana Neal, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, and Marissa Martinez, who added two RBI on a key third-inning single. Nia DeBenedittis delivered a two-run double in the sixth, while Sydney Cline drove in the game's first run. In the circle, Thomas went the distance, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three to secure the victory.

Saint Leo completed the doubleheader sweep with a 13–0 five-inning win over Caldwell, batting around in the first inning to score five runs and set the tone early. The Lions added runs in each of the next three innings while holding the Cougars to one hit. Briana Neal scored three runs with a hit, two walks, and two stolen bases, while Marissa Martinez and Adriana Przespolewski each drove in two runs. Maddie Antioco, Nia DeBenedittis, Abigail Hynes, Izzy LaRoche, Amel Salman, Haleigh Thomas, and Ayani Hernandez each recorded an RBI. In the circle, Juli Stachowicz opened with 2.0 hitless innings, Alex Wright earned the win with 2.0 innings allowing one hit, and Chloe Hocquard struck out two in a scoreless fifth to close the shutout.
 
Game 1: #9 SAINT LEO 8, CALDWELL 3

• Saint Leo struck first in the bottom of the first as Briana Neal doubled to right center, Alexis Barber followed with a bunt single, and Sydney Cline drove in the game's first run with a two-out single through the left side.
• The Lions added another run in the second. Nia DeBenedittis reached on a throwing error and later came home on Marissa Martinez's sacrifice bunt, with another Caldwell error helping push the lead to 2-0.
• Saint Leo broke the game open with a four-run third inning. Abigail Hynes and Izzy LaRoche opened the frame with singles before Maddie Antioco delivered an RBI single to right. Marissa Martinez followed with a two-run single up the middle, and Briana Neal capped the inning with an RBI fielder's choice to make it 6-0.
• Caldwell answered in the fourth. Melissa Lugo singled and scored after Maddie Matkosky delivered a two-out, two-run single to center, trimming the Saint Leo lead to 6-2.
• After a scoreless fifth, the Lions added insurance in the sixth. Shyanne Waller reached and moved into scoring position, Sydney Cline advanced the rally, and Nia DeBenedittis came through with a two-out, two-run double to left center to extend the advantage to 8-2.
• Caldwell plated one run in the seventh on Amanda Preston's RBI single, but Haleigh Thomas finished off the complete-game win as Saint Leo secured the 8-3 victory.

GAME 2: #9 SAINT LEO 13, CALDWELL 0 (5 inns.)

• Saint Leo jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. Briana Neal walked to open the inning, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error before Alexis Barber brought her home with an RBI groundout. After Abigail Hynes walked and Sydney Cline was hit by a pitch, Maddie Antioco singled up the middle to score Cline. Nia DeBenedittis followed with an RBI single, and Marissa Martinez capped the inning with a two-run single as the Lions built a 5-0 lead.
• The Lions added two more runs in the second. Neal led off the frame again, reaching on a single and advancing to second on an error. Hynes later delivered an RBI single, and Izzy LaRoche added another run-scoring single to extend the advantage to 7-0.
• Saint Leo pushed the margin to 9-0 in the third. Hailey Beuerlein doubled to right center before Neal drew another walk as she came to the plate for the third time in three innings. After both runners moved into scoring position, Adriana Przespolewski delivered a two-run single to right field.
• The Lions closed the scoring with four runs in the fourth. Hannah Durante walked and later scored on Amel Salman's RBI single. Sommer Spears added a single before Haleigh Thomas drove in two runs with a single through the left side. Ayani Hernandez followed with an RBI single up the middle to make it 13-0.
• In the circle, Juli Stachowicz worked the first two innings without allowing a hit. Alex Wright followed with two innings, allowing the Wildcats' only hit while striking out two. Chloe Hocquard closed the game with a scoreless fifth, striking out two to complete the five-inning shutout.

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS
+87 run differential during 14-game win streak
22 runs scored by Briana Neal
12 Home runs
.380 team batting average
.190 opponent batting average
95 strikeouts by Saint Leo pitching
1.97 team ERA
7 complete games

UP NEXT
Saint Leo is back at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium for a three game series hosting the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium. First pitch of Friday's series opener is set for 6 p.m.