Softball Prevails over Pensacola State in FCSAA Tournament Thriller

Softball Prevails over Pensacola State in FCSAA Tournament Thriller

Team Stats

May 8, 2021
LONGWOOD, Fla. - Santa Fe softball advanced past No. 15 Pensacola State College in an unbelievable, back-and-forth FCSAA State Tournament opener, 11-10 in nine innings. 
 
Both teams were able to erase deficits as large as four runs in the contests, but it was the Saints that held on to stay in the winners bracket after getting past the Pirates.
 
TOP OF 1ST - SF 2, PSC 0
Jayelyn Carter had a single and Neely Peterson had a double, before Story Giebeig drove each of them home with a double of her own.
 
TOP OF 3RD - SF 4, PSC 0
The Saints staked claim to a 4-0 lead, once again spearheaded by the bats of Peterson and Giebeig. Peterson led off with a single, then Giebeig doubled for a second time. 
 
After a walk from Criis'Deona Beasley, Ashlyn Rogers and Brianna Arsenault each had fielder's choice RBI to push the score to 4-0. 
 
BOTTOM OF 3RD - SF 4, PSC 3
The Pirates cut their deficit to a single run, 4-3, following a three-run homer from Maddy Childs off Saints' starter Taylor Barrett. 
 
BOTTOM OF 5TH - PSC 8, SF 4
Both sides posted zeros until the bottom of the fifth frame, when PSC was able to establish their first lead of the game with five runs.
 
The Pirates loaded the bases with no outs. On a hard-hit ball to left field, Beasley nearly made an outstanding catch, but instead it found the ground and scored two baserunners. 
 
Back-to-back RBI singles pushed the Pirates lead to 7-4, and the eighth run came on a deep sacrifice fly. 
 
TOP OF 6TH - PSC 8, SF 6
The Saints cut the deficit in half. The first run came from Carter's RBI single to bring Riley Schnyder across, then Giebeig came through with a timely hit once again, this time with a single. 
 
TOP 7TH - SF 8, PSC 8
After Beasley evaded some trouble from the circle in the bottom of the sixth, the Saints offense needed to produce to stay alive.
 
SF did just that, led-off by a Rogers double. Arsenault singled and put runners on the corners. 
 
Isabella Santiago pinch ran for Rogers and scored on a wild pitch. After a Morgan Lebeda walk and error from the Pirates, the bases were loaded with no outs. Grace Prom tied the game in the next at-bat with a single up the middle, but Pensacola State was able to somehow keep the Saints from gaining the upper hand. 
 
TOP 9TH  - SF 11, PSC 8
After each side went scoreless in the eighth frame, the Saints seized control with three runs in the ninth. 
 
The Pirates looked like they were perhaps going to escape a bases loaded, no-out jam once again, but Beasley came through with a two-out double to empty the bases.
 
BOTTOM 9TH - SF 11, PSC 10
Pensacola State made it even more interesting with consecutive solo home runs in their at-bats, and had a baserunner at second base with just one out.
 
The final batter, however, lined out to Carter in center field who flipped to Prom at second base for an improbable double play to secure the Saints win. 
 
Key Statistics
Beasley was the winning pitcher and the hero with the bat with her three-RBI double in the ninth. She pitched the final four innings in relief of Barrett, allowing four hits, two runs, and one walk while striking out four. 
 
Barrett threw the game's first five innings, conceding eight runs (six earned) with five walks and eight strikeouts.
 
SF had 16 hits to Pensacola State's ten. Nine different players produced hits for the Saints. 
 
Giebeig finished 3-of-6 from the cleanup spot with two doubles and three RBI. Prom, Carter, Peterson, Arsenault, and Schnyder each contributed two hits. 
 
Fico's Focus
"Last night's game is what you dream about as a little girl playing softball. I have never had more fun on a field and am so proud of what the team overcame to get the win. It was a total team effort! There were so many great at-bats, big plays, lead changes...the game had everything! Our dugout and fans were amazing. The atmosphere was electric. I'm just glad I got to be a part of it. I'm so proud of our girls. Just gotta keep it rolling!"
 
Up Next
Santa Fe (31-14) will play at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 against No. 12 Indian River State College. 
 
All tournament games will be streamed live via the FCSAA Digital Network.