The defending MFC champion Santa Fe Saints (12-9) ended the non-conference portion of their schedule on a high note, winning four straight, and will look to continue that momentum when they take to the road on Tuesday, March 10 at 4:00 and 6:00 PM for their first Mid-Florida Conference double header of the season. Awaiting the Saints will be Daytona State College. The Falcons were 9-10 through their first 19 games and were 2-2 over their last four contests. Santa Fe are winner of nine of the last 10 MFC titles.
While the 12 wins may not have been the amount the Saints were looking for, Coach Chris Ahern thinks she has a group that can continue to get better and hit their stride at the right time.
The team has been working to be firing on all cylinders,” said Ahern. We are a very young team, but very energetic. With the combination of defense, some speed, some power and a good pitching staff, the team is looking forward to continuing to get better, and to peaking at the right time. They are a good group and the coaches enjoy working with them very much.”
Leading the team offensively through the first half of the season was one of the aforementioned young players, freshman Sarah Ortiz. Ortiz hit .400 with four homeruns and 13 RBI in 21 games. Maddy Peres led the team in the circle, going 4-5 in 11 starts, striking out 52 in 61.1 innings pitched. Freshman Kayla Taylor and Chelsea Malcolm, and sophomore Jessica Castiglione also saw significant time in the circle and will be expected to contribute through the 24 game conference schedule.
The Saints first home conference double header will be on Thursday, March 12 at 2:30 and 4:30 PM against the #1 team in the nation, the College of Central Florida.
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