SAINT LEO, Fla. – The win streak for #8 Saint Leo University softball grew to 19 games on Wednesday at Mary Canon Cabot Stadium. The Lions completed the sweep of Flagler as the starting pitching performances of Tierney Hocquard and Alex Wright put together a pair of quality starts limiting the Saints to three runs on a combined four hits. Senior infielder Briana Neal drew the 91st walk of her career to tie the program career record with Kacie Kelly. Saint Leo improves to 24-2-1 overall and 9-0 in SSC play, while Flagler falls to 7-18 overall.

The Lions totaled 10 hits and nine RBI while taking advantage of three Flagler errors to take game one 9-1 in six innings. Abigail Hynes led the offense as she belted her team-best fifth home run of the season as well as scoring a pair of runs. Sydney Cline drove in two runs on a first-inning single. Alexis Barber and Marissa Martinez each added two RBI, and Nia DeBenedittis contributed an RBI on a bunt single. In the circle, Tierney Hocquard tossed a complete game, allowing just two hits and one run with eight strikeouts.

The Lions totaled 11 hits, 10 RBI, and six walks. Briana Neal reached base four times with a double, three walks and two runs scored. Sydney Cline drove in a pair of runs. Abigail Hynes finished with three RBI, and Nia DeBenedittis added a two-RBI double. Maddie Antioco and Adriana Przespolewski each recorded two hits. In the circle, Alex Wright earned the win, allowing two runs on two hits over 4.0 innings, while Chloe Hocquard and Haleigh Thomas combined for 2.0 scoreless innings of relief.

The Lions totaled 11 hits, 10 RBI, and six walks, with five different players recording multi-hit or multi-RBI efforts. Briana Neal reached base four times on a double, three walks, and a pair of runs scored while Abigail Hynes drove in a game-high three runs. Sydney Cline and Nia DeBenedittis each recorded two RBI, with DeBenedittis adding a double. Maddie Antioco went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, and Adriana Przespolewski added two hits. In the circle, Alex Wright earned the win (4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R), while Chloe Hocquard and Haleigh Thomas combined to close out the final two innings, limiting Flagler to three hits in the game.

GAME 1: #8 SAINT LEO 9, FLAGLER 1 (6 inns.)
Saint Leo struck early in the first inning as Briana Neal reached on an error and later scored, while Sydney Cline delivered a two-RBI single to give the Lions a 2-0 lead. After a quiet second inning, Abigail Hynes extended the lead in the third with a solo home run to center field.
The Lions broke the game open in the fourth inning, scoring five runs on six hits. Izzy LaRoche sparked the rally with a bunt single and later scored, while Nia DeBenedittis and Marissa Martinez each drove in runs with small-ball execution. Alexis Barber capped the inning with a two-RBI single to push the lead to 8-0.
Flagler broke through in the fifth inning with a sacrifice bunt RBI, but Tierney Hocquard limited the damage. Saint Leo added one more run in the sixth inning on an error to enforce the run rule, securing the 9-1 victory.
Hocquard controlled the game throughout, allowing just two hits and striking out eight to close out the win.

GAME 2: #8 SAINT LEO 10, FLAGLER 2 (6 inns.)
Saint Leo struck first in the bottom of the first inning as Briana Neal walked, stole second, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Abigail Hynes to take a 1-0 lead.
After a scoreless stretch, the Lions broke the game open in the fourth inning. Maddie Antioco led off with a single, and Marissa Martinez drove in a run with an RBI single. With two outs, Sydney Cline delivered a two-RBI single, followed by a two-run single from Hynes as Saint Leo plated five runs to extend the lead to 6-0.
Flagler responded with two runs in the fifth inning, capitalizing on traffic on the bases, but Saint Leo quickly answered in the bottom half. Ayani Hernandez delivered an RBI single to push the lead to 7-2.
The Lions added insurance in the sixth inning, beginning with a hit-by-pitch and bunt single before Antioco drove in a run. DeBenedittis then capped the scoring with a two-RBI double to left center, sealing the 10-2 victory.
In the circle, Wright controlled the early innings before Hocquard bridged the middle frames and Thomas closed the door, holding Flagler scoreless over the final inning to secure the run-rule win.
 

UP NEXT
Saint Leo hits the road this weekend heading to Miami Shores for a Sunshine State Conference series at Barry. First pitch on Friday night is set for 6 p.m.