April 2, 2018 – Devin Hemenway settled down after a rough first inning and shut out Lake Sumter State College over his final five innings, striking out 11 in the process while walking just one. The Saints won the first game of the three-game series 10-2.
SF got on the board first with two runs in the top of the first on a hit by Garrett Mathes, but the Lakehawks bounced back with a pair in the bottom of the second to even the score. That was all the Saints pitchers would surrender the rest of the way.
In the third Mathes struck again, doubling in a run and Cade Westbrook followed up with an RBI single.
SF (29-6, 10-2 MFC) added to their lead with a big fourth. Westbrook knocked in a pair of runs and Jarrod Cande plated two to make the score 8-2. In the fifth two insurance runs for the Saints made it an eight-run game and two innings later the game ended due to the mercy rule after seven complete innings.
Mathes was 3-for-3 with three RBI, Westbrook finished with two hits and three RBI, Haydn Cano had two hits and two runs scored, and Jarrod Cande was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Will Whitlock pitched two-thirds of an inning in relief and struck out both batters he faced.
The Saints and Lakehawks will battle it out again in Gainesville Monday, April 2 at 3 p.m. The game can be watched live on the Saints Sports Network.
For complete schedules, stats, and more information please visit santafesaints.com.