BOCA RATON, Fla. –Lynn University's softball team split a Sunshine State Conference doubleheader with Saint Leo University Saturday afternoon at McCusker Sports Complex.  The Fighting Knights outscored the Lions 9-8 in the first game before falling 14-2 in the second.  LU is now 5-17 on the season and 1-5 in the SSC while SLU goes to 13-14 and 2-1 in conference play. 

Jordan Angel, Mandi Brown and Carisa Cook all had three hits in the twinbill but it was Angel's performance in the opening game which stole the show.  The senior utility player, who is now playing her eighth different position in her third season for the Knights, went 3-3 with four RBIs in game one, finishing just a single away from the cycle.

After giving up three runs in the top of the first, Lynn cut that lead to 3-1 after its half of the first on an RBI double by Anne Marie Van Casteren.  Her two-bagger down the left field line scored Brown who walked just prior. 

Saint Leo got another three runs in the second but the Blue & White fought right back with four of their own to cut the lead to one.  Cook led off the rally with a double to the gap in right center and with one out Angel smoked her first career home run over the fence in dead center.LU was not done there as Gross beat out a bunt single and was followed by a free pass issued to Katrina Lavadan.  Brown then continued her hot hitting with a shot to left center which scored both Gross and Lavadan  to make the score 6-5 in favor of SLU. 

Once again the Lions scored in the third to double their lead to 7-5 but the Fighting Knights took the lead in their half with three runs of their own.  For the second straight inning, Cook reached to start the rally before Kasey Murray advanced her to third with a double to right center.  Angel then smacked her first career triple to score both runners.  With just one out, Megan Mayfield hit a roller to short which scored Angel to give Lynn the 8-7 lead. 

Lynn added a much needed insurance run in the fourth on a pinch hit RBI single up the middle by Marcella Carrozza to score Brown.  Brown had reached earlier in the inning on a single and stole second before advancing to third on a ground out by Van Casteren.

With the Lynn now 9-7 in favor of the Knights, starting pitcher Marianne Johnson allowed just a run in the fifth before blanking the Lions in the final two innings to earn her second win of the season. 

The Fighting Knights could only muster two runs in the second game which came on a three-base throwing error by Saint Leo.  Mayfield reached first on a walk and Brittany Gross hit a shot to third who then threw the ball wide and rolled all the way to the fence allowing both Mayfield and Gross to score.

Brown and Johnson collected the only two hits on the day for Lynn.  It was the first plate appearance of the season for Johnson and the second hit of her career in limited at bats.  Johnson also pitched the final three innings in the second game in relief of Murray.

LU is back in action next week when they travel to Georgia for eight games from Wednesday to Saturday.  First on the agenda is Georgia College & State for two on March 9 at 2 pm followed by a 1 pm doubleheader at Augusta State on March 10. 

On Friday Lynn will take on Georgia Southwestern for a 2 pm twinbill followed by Columbus State on March 11 at 11 am.  The Cougars of CSU defeated the Knights in a pair of games earlier this season in Columbus.

Fans can follow the action by logging onto www.LynnFighting Knights.com.