SAINT LEO, Fla. – Senior pitcher Haleigh Thomas pitched a three-hit complete game shutout to extend the ninth-ranked Saint Leo University softball team to its 17th consecutive win. The Lions plated just a single run in the second and third innings but that was all they needed to seal the series sweep of the visiting Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish on Saturday at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium. Saint Leo improves to 22-2-1 overall and 9-0 in SSC play, while PBA falls to 8-17 overall and 0-6 in SSC action.

Haleigh Thomas was dominant in the circle, tossing a three-hit complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts and just two walks over 7.0 innings to earn her seventh win of the year. Offensively, the Lions managed three hits but capitalized on key opportunities. Nia DeBenedittis went 1-for-2 with an RBI single, Sydney Cline added a double, and Abigail Hynes recorded a hit as Saint Leo improved to 23-2-1 overall and 9-0 in SSC play.

#9 SAINT LEO 2, PALM BEACH ATLANTIC 0

• Palm Beach Atlantic threatened early in the first inning, loading the bases after a walk, a bunt single, and a Saint Leo error. Thomas faced the pressure head on and worked out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.
• Saint Leo broke through in the second inning. Izzy LaRoche was hit by a pitch and moved to second on Maddie Antioco's sacrifice bunt. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, LaRoche scored when Nia DeBenedittis singled up the middle to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
• The Lions added another run in the third. Briana Neal walked and moved into scoring position before Abigail Hynes was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Sydney Cline reached on a throwing error by the Palm Beach Atlantic pitcher to load the bases, and Antioco drew a two-out walk that forced in Neal to extend the lead to 2-0.
• Thomas took over from there. The senior struck out the side in the fifth inning and allowed just one hit over the final four innings. She retired the Sailfish in order in the seventh, sealing the shutout and Saint Leo's 17th consecutive victory.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
17 consecutive wins
130 runs scored by Saint Leo
13 Home runs
.376 team batting average
.168 opponent batting average
121 strikeouts by Saint Leo pitching
1.73 team ERA
9 complete games
6 wins by Haleigh Thomas leads the team
33 career wins for Thomas leads the team in active pitchers

UP NEXT
Saint Leo returns to Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium for its final non-conference doubleheader of the regular season. The Lions will host the Flagler Saints for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on March 18.