January 28, 2012 Contact: Scott Jamison 352.395.5616 scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu SF FASTPITCH
SAINTS FINISH 2-1 AT JUCO KICKOFF CLASSIC Clearwater, FL – The FCSAA #5 Santa Fe Saints (2-1) played three top ten FCSAA teams on Saturday at the JUCO Kickoff Classic and came out on top of two of the contests, defeating #9 Polk State College and #7 Gulf Coast State College. The loss came at the hands of the defending state champion #6 Miami-Dade College Sharks.
Errors doomed the Saints in their first game of the day against Miami-Dade and Karla Claudio-Rivera was the tough luck loser in the 6-1 loss.
In game two against Polk State, Santa Fe needed eight innings to secure the 6-3 win. Amber Richardson started in the circle for SF, Erika Garcia pitched in relief and Claudio-Rivera pitched the final two innings to earn the win. The game was tied 3-3 at the end of seven innings but the Saints pushed three across in the top of the eighth to seal the victory.
Vanessa Ortiz finished game two 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI, Shannen Marchu was 3-for-3, Claudio Rivera 2-for-4, and Brittney Mayhill was 2-for-4..
The final game of the day was another extra inning affair with the Saints needing nine innings to get past Gulf Coast State College 3-2. Ashley Holton knocked in the game winner in the bottom of the ninth with a hot shot to second that was miss played by the defender, scoring Claudio-Rivera from third base. Claudio-Rivera (2-1) pitched all nine innings for her second win of the day.
Kimberly Booker finished game three 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, Claudio-Rivera had a double and an RBI and Ortiz was 1-for-4.
The Saints travel to Plant City on Thursday, February 2 for a double header against Hillsborough CC at 4:00 and 6:00 PM.
For complete schedules and more information on Saints Fastpitch, please visit www.sfcollege.edu/athletics. To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe 7 College Athletics on Facebook. -30-