The first home game didn’t go as planned for the Saint Leo Lions this season. They dropped their first game in a close heartbreaker 7-8 to Alabama-Huntsville. The Lions were down for a lot of the game 8-2 until they almost made a great comeback and lost by just one run. Saint Leo started out great like usual, getting to a quick 2-0 lead after senior Brett Coffel hit a leadoff home run in the second inning. Next junior Jacob Reimold hit a sacrifice fly to drive in their second run in the third. The Chargers would not let up as they powered ahead in the fourth inning as they put up three runs to make the score 4-2, advantage Chargers. Huntsville had another rally in the sixth inning as they plated another four unearned runs off just one hit and one Saint Leo error. The Lions’ offense was stagnant up until the eighth inning where they began what almost was an amazing comeback. After two players walked, Reimold picked up his first hit at Saint Leo when he sent a moonshot for three runs over to right centerfield. Coffel followed that up with a double down the right-field line. The next batter got hit by a pitch when junior Corey Mumaw hit a sacrifice fly to move the two runners over. This is when sophomore Danny Torres picked up an RBI ground-out to keep the Lions’ hopes alive. After getting a scoreless inning in the ninth, it was Leo’s turn to bat; they loaded the bases and managed to hit one player in for another RBI. The final batter grounded out and the Lions lost by one.
Although the first game was a tough loss, the Lions made sure not to repeat the outcome in their second and third games against the Chargers. The Lions took the second and third games with authority shutting the Chargers out and scoring four of their own runs, while for game two they captured the victory 9-5. The first game was all about junior pitcher Ryan Nolan as he stole the show going eight innings while only giving up two hits and getting five strikeouts. Nolan was throwing a perfect game up until the sixth inning when he let up his first hit. Junior Trevor Smisek finished off the game holding the Chargers to zero runs as well. The offensive MVP was Jared Morello as he went two-for-three. Freshman Mike Wyman also had a big day as he went .500 from the plate getting two RBIs of his own with a huge home run.
Junior Kaleb Huxford picked up the start in the second game as he pitched four innings while striking out four batters and walking three. He still picked up the win in the seven-inning game. Closer Trevor Sanchez pitched the final inning of the game in a non-save situation. He allowed two hits while striking out one and walking another. The offensive MVP for the second game was senior Jared Morello as he showcased his talents by going 3-4 from the plate with four RBIs, a double, a triple and scoring one run. Saint Leo came out of the weekend after having beaten North Greenville University Feb. 1 with a 3-1 record, and they seem to be on pace for another big season. The Lions’ next game will be home against Lee University Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9 for a three-game series. The Lions will be looking for a sweep to boost their record to 6-1 on the season. The first pitch on the eighth will be scheduled for 6 p.m., and the doubleheader on the ninth the games start at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
