SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Florida Southern College softball team struggled against Saint Leo University in the Sunshine State Conference doubleheader, as the Moccasins dropped game one 3-1 before battling to a 6-4 loss in game two at the University Softball Stadium.
Designated player
Macayla Brady led the way for the Mocs (12-24, 4-11 SSC) batting 500 and going 3-for-6 from the plate, with two doubles. For the Lions, (28-10, 15-3 SSC) Alyssa Perez led the way, going 3-for-5 on the day with one run scored and a runner batted in.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 1, SAINT LEO 3
Saint Leo tacked on the first run of the game, scoring on an RBI single to score an unearned run and take a 1-0 lead early in the bottom of the first. FSC tied the game in the top of the fourth, as
Gabby Young led off with a double to left center field to get the left fielder into scoring position. Young advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on an RBI single from
Taylor Thomas to make it 1-1.
With a tied game, the Lions came out quickly in the bottom of the fourth to take back the lead, reaching on a Mocs error that would score from an RBI double to make it 2-1.
Brady hit a two-out double in the following inning, but was left stranded in scoring position with the Lions on top. FSC had a pitching change to start the top of the fifth as
Kayla Hickey came into relief for
Mel Rogers, and the Lions would get bases loaded on three consecutive walks and take a 3-1 lead off a Saint Leo sacrifice fly.
The Mocs had an opportunity in the top of the seventh with a one-out double from
Shelbie Valencia that would advance her to third on a ground out, but Valencia was left stranded 60 feet from home as game one of the doubleheader went to the Lions with a 3-1 victory. Despite the loss, FSC outhit Saint Leo 4-to-2.
FLORIDA SOUTHERN 4, SAINT LEO 6
Game two started hot for the Mocs, as Young led off with a single to right center field. A sac bun and fielder choice advanced Young to third, where she would score from a Lions error to take a 1-0 lead for the first time this series. FSC increased its lead to 2-0 as
Destiny Colgate stole third to put her in position to score on a sacrifice fly.
With a 2-0 lead, the Mocs would continue to lead, increasing the lead to 4-0 thanks to Saint Leo errors that scored
Morgan Roden who reached on a walk and scored on an error by the second baseman to move to a 3-0 lead. Another Saint Leo error scored
Kiki Morris as the senior slid into home on a wild pitch for a 4-0 advantage.
Florida Southern was on top with a 4-0 lead, but Saint Leo had to do damage control as the bats started to come alive as the Lions come back started in the bottom of the second. Saint Leos lead off batter hit a double that would score her later on an RBI single to cut the Mocs lead down 4-1 with five innings remaining.
In the bottom of the third, the Lions cut FSCs lead in half, scoring an unearned run off a Mocs error. In the next inning, Saint Leo tied Florida Southern's lead to make it 4-4 as Perez singled to bring in two runners and make it a new game. Saint Leo quickly took the lead, scoring on an RBi single to make it 5-4 after four complete innings.
The Lions increased their lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the fifth, scoring on an RBI double. In the top of the sixth, FSC had an opportunity as Valencia singled through the left side, and Colgate doubled down the left field line but runners were left stranded in scoring positions.
Brady hit her second double of the day in the final inning, but the Mocs could not catch up to the Lions lead falling in game two 6-4.
Florida Southern College returns to Chris Bellotto Field on April 5 as they honor Natalie Lang Brown before the Mocs face Palm Beach Atlantic in the SSC series opener set for 7:00 p.m.
