Saint Leo University won its first national championship in program history, defeating sixth-seeded McKendree University 5-2 in the NCAA Division II softball title game Wednesday afternoon in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Izzy LaRoche’s two-run triple to left-center field in the top of the seventh inning drove in two key insurance runs to help the Lions win the championship and finish with an outstanding 54-3-1 record.
The championship is the first for a Florida school since Florida Southern College won the title in 1993.
“They are one heck of a group,” said head coach Erin Kinberger. “They are built for this. Thank you for letting me be tough on you, and being gritty, and believing in each other and yourselves.”
Saint Leo pitcher Alex Wright relieved starter Tierney Hocquard in the fifth inning and worked the last three innings to secure the victory.
Strong defense also punctuated the Lions’ championship, with center fielder Sydney Cline saving two runs with a head-long diving catch in left-center field to keep the game tied at 1 after four innings. Second baseman Briana Neal made several excellent plays, including a diving stop for a putout in the bottom of the seventh inning after McKendree started the inning with a double.
Top-seeded Saint Leo advanced to the championship game of the best of three finals with a 15-4 victory against McKendree (51-17) on Tuesday.