SAINT LEO, Fla. – The 15th-ranked Saint Leo University softball team swept its doubleheader against Wilmington (Del.) on Monday evening at the Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium. Chloe Hocquard pitched a one-hit shutout in game one and then completed the sweep with an 11-2 5-inning win in game two. Saint Leo improves to 15-2-1 overall and 6-0 in SSC play, while the Wildcats fall to 3-5 overall.

Saint Leo recorded six runs on nine hits while limiting Wilmington to just one hit in a 6–0 shutout victory in game one. Chloe Hocquard tossed a complete-game one-hitter, striking out eight over 7.0 innings and carrying a no-hitter into the fourth inning. The Lions scored in three separate innings, including a four-run sixth to break the game open. Briana Neal led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance, including a home run, double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Alexis Barber drove in two runs, while Abigail Hynes added an RBI double and Nia DeBenedittis contributed an RBI triple. Saint Leo left six runners on base and committed one error while holding Wilmington to 1-for-22 at the plate.

Saint Leo totaled 12 hits and scored in four consecutive innings in an 11–2 run-rule victory. The Lions plated two runs in the first, four in the second, and four more in the third to build a 10–0 advantage. Sydney Cline went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI, while Alexis Barber finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Izzy LaRoche added two hits and an RBI, and Nia DeBenedittis and Tegan Larrimore each recorded multi-hit games. In the circle, Haleigh Thomas earned the win with 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on two hits with five strikeouts, before Alex Wright closed out the fifth. Saint Leo drew five walks, stole four bases, and held Wilmington to two hits in the contest.
 
Game 1: #15 Saint Leo 6, Wilmington (Del.) 0

• Saint Leo struck first and then broke it open late to complete the shutout. Briana Neal led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer to center, and the Lions carried that 1-0 edge into the fifth.
• In the fifth, Saint Leo manufactured a run when Hannah Durante pinch ran after a Hailey Beuerlein walk, Briana Neal dropped down a sac bunt, and Abigail Hynes ripped an RBI double to center to make it 2-0.
• The Lions put the game away with a four-run sixth inning as Tegan Larrimore pinch ran and scored on Nia DeBeneditttis' RBI triple, Marissa Martinez delivered an RBI pinch-hit single, and Alexis Barber capped the inning with a two-run single after another Neal extra-base hit.
• Chloe Hocquard was dominant from the start, carrying a no-hitter into the fourth inning and keeping Wilmington off balance all evening. The sophomore right-hander retired the first nine batters she faced and did not allow a hit until a fourth-inning single broke up the no-hitter bid.

 
GAME 2: #15 SAINT LEO 11, WILMINGTON 2 (5 inns.)

• After a lead off single and stolen base by Briana Neal, Sydney Cline roped an RBI double down the left-field line. Izzy LaRoche followed with an RBI double of her own to make it 2–0.
• Saint Leo broke it open with four runs on four hits. Alexis Barber delivered an RBI single with the bases loaded, Abigail Hynes added a two-run sacrifice fly, and Cline capped the frame with another RBI knock to push the lead to 6–0.
• The Lions continued to apply pressure with aggressive base running and timely hitting. Barber drove in two more runs with a single to left, and Hynes tacked on another sac fly as Saint Leo extended the lead to 10–0.
• Ayani Hernandez grounded out to bring home a run, and the Lions added one more on an error to stretch the advantage to 11–1.
• Haleigh Thomas earned the win, tossing 4.0 innings while allowing just two runs on two hits with five strikeouts. Alex Wright closed out the fifth to secure the run-rule victory.

 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo is back at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium on Tuesday evening for a doubleheader against Assumption at 5 p.m. The Lions close out the week with a doubleheader against Tiffin (Ohio) on Thursday, March 5 with game one scheduled for a 5 p.m. first pitch at Mary Cannon Cabot Stadium.