SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Florida Southern College softball team took a short trip to Saint Leo University to face the Lions in a single game to open up the Sunshine State Conference series. The Moccasins (12-22, 4-9 SSC) fell to the Lions (26-10, 13-3 SSC) with a 6-0 final.
Saint Leo reached on an error from FSC to lead off the top of the first and get the first baserunner on of the game. After opening pitcher
Taylor Thomas (1-4) struck out a batter, she walked the next one to advance the leadoff runner into scoring position. The Lions' four-hole hitter doubled to center field switching places with the runner at second for an RBI to give Saint Leo a 1-0 lead.
Saint Leo continued to put pressure on Florida Southern's defense as they tacked on five more runs in the second inning leading off with a hit-by-pitch. The runner advanced to second on a sac bunt to get into scoring position. The runner would score at the next at-bat from a fielding error to another unearned run to make it 2-0 with just one out.
With two outs, the Mocs made some defensive changes and a pitching change as
Ashley Blessin stepped into the circle. Despite the changes, the Lions' offensive continued to swing away adding four more runs after the switches to make it 6-0 with five more innings to play.
In the top of the sixth, FSC had their first hit of the game, as
Shelbie Valencia singled to left-center field but was stranded at first base. With one final chance,
Destiny Colgate singled to left field for the second hit of the game, but it was not enough as the Mocs fell to the Lions in the game of the three-game series.
Florida Southern returns to action tomorrow as they face off against the Lions in a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for noon with game two immediately after.
