CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The top-seeded Saint Leo softball team defeated fourth-seeded Cal. State San Marcos in the NCAA Division II World Series on Friday afternoon in extra-innings. The Lions scored two runs in the top of the eighth to secure the victory.
The Green & Gold were firing on all cylinders in the first with a lead off solo homer from senior
Briana Neal followed by an RBI-single from freshman
Abigail Hynes. The Lions capped off the impressive start with an one-run single from redshirt sophomore
Maddie Antioco, giving Saint Leo a 3-0 advantage.Â
The Cougars knotted a the game at 3-3 in the fourth. During the eighth, the Lions gained a 4-3 edge as junior
Izzy LaRoche drove in sophomore
Tegan Larrimore on a fielder's choice followed by senior
Grace Dunsworth stealing home plate extending the Saint Leo cushion to 5-3.Â
In the circle, senior
Tierney Hocquard started and pitched 3.0 innings. She struck out one batter and allowed two runs (both earned) on three hits. In relief, junior
Alex Wright pitched 5.0 innings and collected a pair of strikeouts. The Florida native only surrendered one run (earned) on five hits. Additionally, Wright was dealt the win and improved to 14-0 on the season.
The Lions will return to action on Sunday, May 31 at 11 a.m. and they will either face two-seeded Missouri Southern State, fifth-seeded West Texas A&M, or eighth-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas.
