March 20, 2014
SF FASTPITCH
Gainesville, FL – The Santa Fe Saints pulled off two come from behind victories on Thursday afternoon, defeating the #6 ranked team in the country College of Central Florida, 10-6 in game one and 4-3 in game two. Santa Fe (16-14, 5-1 MFC) broke out offensively, collecting 25 hits and 14 runs in the double header.
Central Florida (23-10, 4-4 MFC) struck first, scoring a run in the top of the first with the help of a Santa Fe throwing error for the early 1-0 lead. It was short lived as SF third baseman Sid Masso nailed the first pitch of the game out of the park to knot it up at 1-1. Santa Fe added another run in the inning on a Megan McDonald single to go ahead 2-1.
In the third the Patriots retook the lead with a three run homerun. SF pitcher Maddy Peres helped her own cause with a blast over the left field fence to cut the deficit to 4-3.
In the sixth, the Saints exploded for seven runs on seven hits, including RBI from Geena Capitini, Masso (2), Amber Maxey, Rachel Hoeft, and Caroline Whittington. The Saints sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning and led 10-5 heading into the seventh.
CF scored on in the seventh on a homerun, but couldn’t muster anymore as the final hitter struck out looking.
Maddy Peres started in the circle for SF and went 3.1 innings, allowing four runs with five strikeouts. Amber Maxey earned the win with 3.2 innings of relief work.
Masso was 2-for-3 with a homerun and three RBI, Megan McDonald was 2-for-2 with a double and a RBI.
Game two saw the Saints take an early 1-0 lead after one inning, but after four Central Florida pulled ahead 2-1.
In the sixth Santa Fe trailed 3-1 but tied it up on an RBI hit by Amber Maxey and a wild throw scored the tying run.
In the seventh SF pitcher Ashley Rey shut down the Patriots to keep the score tied. Sid Masso reached base on a fielder’s choice with one out and the next batter Beri Scott singled to move Masso into scoring position. One batter later Rachel Hoeft played the hero, knocking Masso in for the walk off win.
Rachel Hoeft finished game two 2-for-4 with a RBI, and Amber Maxey was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
The Saints have now won seven in a row and four straight in the Mid-Florida Conference. They sit in second place behind Daytona who is 7-1 in MFC play.
Santa Fe will look to build on their winning streak with Lake Sumter State College comes to Gainesville for a double header on Saturday, March 22 at 1:00 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.
-30-