March 6, 2012
Contact: Scott Jamison
352.395.5616
scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu
SF FASTPITCH
SANTA FE DROPS TWO CLOSE GAMES TO ST. PETE, 6-5 AND 3-2
Gainesville, FL – The Santa Fe Saints nearly pulled off a stunning come from behind victory in game one of a double header at St. Petersburg College, but came up just short after fighting back from a 5-0 deficit in the seventh inning. In game two, SF carried a 2-0 lead into the seventh, but a late rally by the Titans gave St. Pete a 3-2 victory.
St. Pete jumped on the Saints (9-13) in the first game of the double dip, scoring five runs through the first five innings. Santa Fe flipped a switch in the seventh and plated five runs on six hits to tie the game. Bianca Torres started the rally with a lead off infield single and Ashley Holton doubled to put runners on second and third.
Erika Garcia hit a single into the left centerfield gap to cut the margin to 5-2. Shannen Marchu stepped to the plate and nailed a pinch hit single to left field. Layne McDermond followed Marchu and reached on an error to load the bases. Paige Sandiford singled down the left field line and Vanessa Ortiz hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-4.
Karla Claudio completed the comeback with a single past the short stop to tie the score at 5-5.
The Titans answered in the seventh with a walk off hit for the 6-5 victory.
Claudio finished game one 3-for-4 with a RBI and Erika Garcia was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Claudio started the game in the circle but gave way to Amber Richardson in the seventh.
Santa Fe took early control of game two but failed to hold on in the seventh. Richardson pitched six shutout innings before SPC finally got to her in the seventh for three runs.
The Saints first run came in the fourth on a pass ball and Claudio knocked in the second in the seventh. St. Pete refused to give up and fought back in the bottom of the seventh for three runs and the walk off win.
Paige Sandiford finished 2-for-3 and Claudio was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
The Saints open defense of their seven straight Mid-Florida Conference championships on Thursday when they travel to Sanford to battle rival Seminole State College at 2:00 PM and 4:00 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 College Athletics on Facebook.
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