Ex-Lions stars to give back

SAINT LEO -- Erik Shafer was passed over in last year's draft while Mike Wrenn spent three years in the minor leagues.

Both former Saint Leo baseball players will be part of the Lions' March 1 exhibition against the Philadelphia Phillies at Clearwater's Jack Russell Stadium.

On Monday, Shafer (Land O'Lakes) and Wrenn (Zephyrhills) became Saint Leo assistant coaches.

"Having both played here and experienced what it takes to win and move on to postseason play, Mike and Erik won't have any problems teaching our current players what it takes to be winners," head coach Ed Stabile said.

Wrenn will work with pitchers and catchers while Shafer is a graduate assistant in charge of strength and conditioning.

Wrenn, an All-Sunshine State Conference third baseman and catcher, was drafted by the Minnesota Twins and was a minor-league catcher for three years.

Shafer attended the University of Central Florida on a combined baseball and football scholarship and set a school record with two grand slams in one season.

As a Saint Leo senior, he made all-conference and was named SSC Player of the Week three times.

Shafer set a school record last spring for RBIs (11) in one game.

ANOTHER FLOREA HONOR: Volleyball player Cristiana Florea earned her fourth postseason award Dec. 4, being named to the Daktronics Division II All-South Region second team.

Florea was also named a second-team All-American, an American Volleyball Coaches Association second-teamer and a Sunshine State Conference first-teamer.

BACK HOME: On the heels of a three-game losing streak, the Saint Leo men's basketball team is home for the next two games.

The Lions (4-3) host Southeastern College (Lakeland) at 1 p.m. Saturday and Point Park College (Pa.) at 4 p.m. Monday.

Saint Leo lost twice last week, 68-63 to Webber International University on Tuesday and 82-78 to Rollins College on Saturday.

Frank Craig led four Lions in double figures in scoring against Rollins with 26 points. Matt Pruitt scored 12 and Kennard Orange and Jon Stolard each had 11.

Pruitt had a team-high 14 points against Webber.

LONG REST ENDS: The Saint Leo women's basketball team (2-4) plays Saturday, hosting Mississippi at 3 p.m.

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