SAINT LEO, Fla. – For the second time in program history, the Saint Leo softball team is headed the NCAA Division II Softball World Series. The Lions captured the South Region Championship after run-ruling seventh-seeded UAH in game two of the Super Regional on Friday afternoon.
The top-ranked and top-seeded Lions struck first with an RBI-single by junior
Sydney Cline to right center in the top of the first. However, the Chargers answered with an RBI-double in the bottom half of the first.
In the third, the Green & Gold gained momentum and never looked back. Sophomore
Maddie Antioco drove in a pair of runs with a single to center field to give the Lions a 3-1 lead followed by junior
Alex Wright's RBI-single extending the Saint Leo advantage to 4-1. During the fourth, the Green & Gold continued to roll as it added three more runs with an RBI from freshman
Abigail Hynes followed by senior
Briana Neal stealing home. Junior
Izzy LaRoche capped off the offensive onslaught of the fourth with an RBI-triple that scored freshman Sommer Spears.
In the sixth, the Lions kept their foot on the gas with six runs. Junior
Alexis Barber notched an RBI-single before Hynes laced a single to right field to score, 8-1. Antioco collected two RBI with a single to center field. Junior
Nia DeBenedittis recorded an RBI-walk followed by Neal registering a sacrifice-fly to right field. After the scoring frenzy, Saint Leo captured a 13-1 en route to the regional championship and its spot in the World Series.
In the circle, senior
Tierney Hocquard started and pitched a complete-game. She struck out four batters while only surrendering one run (earned) on three hits.
The eight regional champions will compete in the DII Softball World Series in Chattanooga, Tennessee at Frost Stadium at Warner Park.
