Lynn University

SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Lynn University softball team battled but came up short against top-ranked Saint Leo on Friday, dropping both ends of a doubleheader by scores of 4-0 and 5-1. The Fighting Knights were limited offensively throughout the day, managing just six total hits across the two games, while the Lions capitalized on early scoring in game one and a decisive fourth inning in game two to secure the Friday sweep.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED (Game #1):
- Saint Leo struck early in the first, capitalizing on two walks and a hit-by-pitch before a two-run single gave Lynn an early 2-0 deficit
- The Fighting Knights were unable to generate early offense, going hitless through the first two innings while Saint Leo controlled momentum
- Lynn's defense and pitching settled in after the opening frame, holding the Lions scoreless from the second through the fifth innings despite scattered baserunners
- Aiyana Hicks and Marina Goins each recorded singles in the middle innings, but Lynn was unable to string together hits to break through offensively
- The Blue and White threatened in the fifth as Goins reached and advanced into scoring position, but the inning ended with back-to-back strikeouts
- Saint Leo added insurance in the sixth, taking advantage of a Lynn throwing error and a misplay in the outfield to plate two unearned runs and extend the lead to 4-0
- The Fighting Knights were held in check late, unable to mount a rally in the sixth or seventh innings
- Lynn was retired in order in the seventh, sealing the 4-0 loss in game one of the series
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS (Game #1):
- Lynn was held to two hits on the afternoon, coming from Hicks and Goins
- Kylie Burden recorded the team's lone sacrifice bunt to move a runner into scoring position
- The Fighting Knights turned one double play to help limit further damage defensively
- Gabriella Lindsey went the distance in the circle, allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits with 3 walks
- Lynn pitching did not record a strikeout but generated 16 combined flyouts and groundouts to work through innings
 

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HOW IT HAPPENED (Game #2):
- Lynn opened the game with a quick first inning on both sides, as the Fighting Knights and Saint Leo were both retired in order
- The Blue and White struck first in the second, as Aiyana Hicks doubled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and came around to score on a passed ball to give Lynn a 1-0 lead
- Lynn carried the lead into the middle innings behind steady defense, working out of traffic in the second and third to keep Saint Leo off the board
- The Lions broke through in the fourth, capitalizing on an error and a string of hits to plate four runs and take a 4-1 lead
- The Fighting Knights were unable to respond offensively, going down in order in the fifth and sixth innings as Saint Leo maintained control
- Saint Leo added an insurance run in the sixth on a two-out RBI single, extending the lead to 5-1
- Lynn attempted to rally in the seventh with a two-out single, but the threat was cut short to end the game
- The Fighting Knights were held to just one run, falling 5-1 in game two of the doubleheader
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS (Game #2):
- Lynn was held to 1 run on 4 hits, with the lone run coming on a passed ball in the second inning
- Hicks led the offense, going 1-for-3 with a double and scoring the team's only run
- Kyleigh Hope, Marina Goins and Kylie Burden each added one hit for the Fighting Knights
- The Fighting Knights were aggressive early, using a sacrifice bunt from Savannah Ellis to move a runner into scoring position
- Kayley Zazzali went the distance, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 10 hits with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts
 
UP NEXT:
Lynn will close out the series with the top-ranked Lions on Saturday morning with a start of sometime between 10-11 am with bad weather lurking in the afternoon forecast.