CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Saint Leo softball produced an offensive onslaught in the first game of the National Championship Series versus sixth-seeded McKendree on Tuesday evening as the Lions rolled to a 15-4 victory. The Green & Gold posted its most runs (15) and most hits (16) this season.
The Lions wasted no time jump ahead as freshman Abigial Hynes laced an RBI-single up the middle in the first followed by junior
Alex Wright driving in a run with through the left side to bring classmate
Sydney Cline cross the plate, 2-0. In the second, junior
Alexis Barber notched an RBI through the left side before scoring on a error by the Bearcats, 4-0.
However, McKendree answered with four runs in the third as the game was tied 4-4. The offense of Saint Leo responded with three runs in the fourth to gain a 7-4 advantage with a Barber RBI, followed by senior
Briana Neal scoring on a wild pitch. Hynes once again drove in a run with a single through the right side. Saint Leo continued to build momentum with a two-run single by Barber in the fifth before scoring as a fielder's choice, 10-4. Freshman Sommer Spears stole home that built the Green & Gold lead to 11-4. Wright answered the call with a pair of Rbi with a double to right center followed by junior
Nia DeBenedittis driving in two runs with a double to left center, 15-4.
In the circle, senior
Tierney Hocquard started and pitched 4.0 innings. She allowed four runs (all earned) on five hits while striking out three batters. Hocquard was dealt the win and improved to 24-1 on the season. In relief, Wright pitched 3.0 innings and recorded two strikeouts and collected the save.
The Lions will return to action tomorrow, Wednesday, June 3 as they face McKendree in game two of the best-of-three series starting at 3 p.m.
