Box Score CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Eckerd softball team closed the EC Spring Invitational with a 10-0 six-inning loss to No. 17 Saint Leo on Sunday afternoon at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex.
The Lions' Sara Neuman stymied the Triton bats, tossing a two-hitter, while the SLU offense exploded for 14 hits off the combination of
Grace Willeck and
Janna Gaburo.
Saint Leo (4-1) scored in the top of the first after a two-out bases-loaded single by Sarah Pauscher brought in the game's first run. Â SLU added another run in the second, again with two outs, on a shallow double from Sommer Pollard.
Willeck held the Lions in check in the third inning, but they took advantage of two errors by Willeck in the fourth to extend their lead to 5-0.
SLU then doubled its lead in the sixth with six hits and five runs. Â After a leadoff double by Danielle Bottley, the Lions put together five straight hits with one out, the last of which plated two runs on a double by Pauscher. Â Pauscher was cut down stretching at third and Gaburo struck out Michelle George to end the inning.
Eckerd (1-3) had few chances against Neuman. Â EC's best opportunity came in the fifth after a
Crystal Garcia single and a
Chelsea Armstrong walk. Â
Kiley King moved both into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, but the Tritons left the runners stranded.
The Lions followed with their biggest inning at the plate, moving the game into run-rule territory before Neuman closed the door by striking out the side in the sixth.
Willeck (0-1) took the loss, allowing six hits and five runs over four innings. Â Garcia and
Kaleigh Floyd accounted for EC's two hits.
The Tritons open their home schedule on Wednesday, hosting Southeastern (Fla.) University for a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 PM.
