SF FASTPITCH
Clearwater, FL – The Santa Fe Saints started off 2014 on the right foot Saturday, February 1 at the JUCO Kickoff Classic in Clearwater, winning both games on a weather shortened day. SF was originally scheduled to play four games. The other two games will not be made up.
The FCSAA #4 Saints (2-0) matched up with Miami Dade College in their first game of the day and fell behind early 3-0 in the first inning. Sophomore catcher Yanira Sanchez came up with the big hit in the fourth inning, clearing the bases with a double to knot the score at 3-3. With one out, Caroline Whittington pinch ran for Sanchez and sophomore Erin Marsh singled to move Whittington to third base. Freshman leadoff hitter Beri Scott completed the rally with a sacrifice bunt to score Whittington to give SF a 4-3 lead.
Miami Dade tied the score in the bottom of the fourth but Santa Fe’s Rachel Hoeft played the hero in the sixth inning, knocking home Beri Scott with a two out double for the go ahead and eventual winning run.
Ashley Chapman started the game in the circle and surrendered three runs before giving way to Amber Maxey. Maxey pitched the last six innings, allowing one run with six strikeouts.
Scott finished the game 2-for-3 with a triple and one RBI, Sanchez was 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI, and Sid Masso was 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored.
Game two was all Santa Fe as they cruised past South Georgia State College 9-1 in six innings due to the mercy rule.
The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when sophomore Celeste Bradshaw broke the game open with a bases clearing single to make it 3-0. SF would add another run in the inning on a bases loaded walk to Rachel Hoeft.
Santa Fe put two on the board in the fifth on a RBI double by sophomore Geena Capitini and a sacrifice fly by Celeste Bradshaw.
In the sixth the Saints poured it on and forced the mercy rule with RBI by sophomore Megan McDonald, Sid Masso and a two run triple by Capitini.
Freshman Madelynne Peres started in the circle and picked up the win, tossing 4.1 innings with seven strikeouts. Sophomore Ashley Rey pitched the final 1.2 innings.
Megan McDonald was 3-for-4 with a RBI, Celeste Bradshaw finished 2-for-3 with four RBI and Geena Capitini was 3-for-4 with a double, triple and two RBI.
The Saints play their home opener on Monday, February 3 at 2:00 PM against Georgia Highlands CC. Santa Fe Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Naima Brown will be on hand to toss out the first pitch.
For More information on Santa Fe 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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