SAINT LEO, Fla. —The Flagler softball team capped its final day at the Saint Leo Tournament the exact way it started it by besting Virginia Wise, 6-1, before falling in heartbreaker fashion to the host No. 25-ranked Lions, 5-4, Sunday.
 
Flagler will be back in action Wednesday when the Saints host in-state opponent Florida Southern for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. on Flagler Field.
 
In the opening game, the Saints (8-4) jumped on UVA Wise (2-4) from the get-go, scoring all six runs over the first three innings with four of them coming in the third inning. NaJah Gerrald, Natalie Murphy, Kyleigh Taylor, Maria Kappos and Morgan Murphy (2) were responsible for those runs scored, while Gerrald, Taylor and Kappos each had two hits apiece.
 
Kyra Gipson (W, 6-1) led the Saints in the circle as she allowed one run on six hits and struck out four over seven innings.
 
"I was really happy with the energy we brought today," Flagler head coach Kathryn Geouge said. "Kyra threw well and was able to keep the UVA Wise hitters off balance while our offense did some work!"
 
Game 2: Flagler 4, Saint Leo 5
The result of this game isn't one to stomach easy.
 
Flagler trailed early, but roared back to keep the home, ranked Lions on their toes. It was Kappos (2-for-3, 3 RBI) who put her squad on top with a two-out, three-run blast in the third inning to make it 3-2 in the Saints' favor.
 
The Lions knotted the score in the bottom of the third due to an untimely error, but again, the Saints didn't hang their heads. This time it was Brittney Rayfield (2-for-3, RBI) joining in on the fun as the senior sent a solo shot down the left-field line, putting the Saints up by a run.
 
Sidney Mathis (L, 0-1) worked herself out of jams time and time again, but was unable in the sixth with two outs, which lead to Madelyn Wise replacing her. The Lions' lone two-run hit in the sixth against the freshman was the one to put Saint Leo (10-3) up for good as Kayla Betts (W, 3-1) relieved Sadi Avants, after Madi Mott's five innings, to cool down the red-hot Flagler bats and keep the lead for good.
 
"In the second game, we made some huge adjustments from yesterday and just came up short," Geouge said. "We have a few things to work on and improve on before we play again on Wednesday."
 
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