LACEY, Wash. – Opening up GNAC action against top ranked Simon Fraser, the Saints began the series with a doubleheader sweep, edging Simon Fraser 11-9 and 9-0.
 
In the opener, the Saints struck first with a four run first inning, scoring all their runs with two outs. After Simon Fraser struck right back with four of their own in the second, the Saints regained the lead. In the bottom of the second with two outs, the Saints tacked on another three runs.
 
Simon Fraser once again tied up the game at 7-7 in the fourth but a two RBI double from Shay Lopes resulted the Saints in taking back the lead. In the fifth, a solo home run from Vanessa Smoke, and an RBI double from Olivia Schmidt gave the Saints a 11-7 lead. SFU attempted to rally back in the seventh, scoring two but the Saints closed out the game with a groundout.
 
The offense continued for the Saints in the second game with two runs in the second, before blowing it open in the fourth with a seven-run frame. Natalie Zender drove in three runs, while Lopes, Schmidt, Malia Pinder added to the runs. Britney Patrick started the fourth inning with an RBI single, highlighted by Devyn Connolly's two RBI triple.
 
Despite all the offense, it was the effort in the circle by Chloe Leverington that stole the show. Leverington went all five innings, silencing the Simon Fraser bats to only three hits, with no runs, along with five strikeouts and zero walks.
 
The Saints and Simon Fraser conclude the series with a doubleheader tomorrow, Sunday, at noon. Live stats and video will be available on smusaints.com.