GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Ashliegh McLean era of UWF softball got off to a strong start on Friday, with the Argonauts taking a 9-2 win over No. 5 Saint Leo to open the season at the Gulf Coast Invitational.
 
West Florida wasted little time offensively, putting a three-spot on the board in the second inning to take a quick 3-0 lead over the reigning South Region Champions.
 
With the bases loaded after the first of Mika Garcia's three hits, Jibrasha Moore put a ball in play to score Callan Taylor, before Rachel Wright singled through the left side of the infield to plate two more runs.
 
It was more small ball in the fourth, when the Argonauts used three hits, two walks, and some heads-up baserunning to stretch the lead to 7-0.
 
Wright tallied her third RBI of the afternoon with a fielder's choice to bring in Sara Spears, and Moore came around on a wild pitch to make it 5-0. The final two runs of the inning were driven in by Kathleen Smiley, when she drove a single into right field to plate Wright and Rhiannon Sassman.
 
Jacquelynne Poling lifted an RBI single into left field in the fifth, and Taylor brought in West Florida's ninth run of the afternoon with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
 
Grace Gilbert picked up the win in the circle for UWF, after going five innings and allowing two runs. The sophomore walked only two batters and allowed five hits, retiring eight Saint Leo batters with groundouts.
 
She cruised through the first few innings of her start and retired the side in order in the first and third innings. It looked like Gilbert could be in trouble in the second, but the UWF defense stepped up and got out of the jam by catching a Lions runner trying to steal home.
 
After Kayleice Hooks homered to start the sixth against Gilbert, Kelsey Sweatt made her Argonaut debut in the circle and struck out four batters in two innings in a scoreless outing. The sophomore allowed just one hit.
 
Wright led all players in the game with three RBIs, Garcia led all with three hits, and Sassman drew a pair of walks and scored two runs.
 
UWF dominated on the basepaths on Friday, catching Hooks stealing on the Lions' only attempt and going a perfect five-for-five in steal tries. Sassman had two, Gilbert had one, and freshmen Teala Howard and Mallory Vining each had one.
 
West Florida will play a pair of games in Gulf Shores on Saturday, with an 11:30 am start against Lander and a 7 pm first pitch against Eckerd.