State Tournament Recap: SF Softball

State Tournament Recap: SF Softball
May 14, 2021

GAINESVILLE, FLA. - Santa Fe softball's 2021 season concluded on Sunday, May 9 in the FCSAA State Tournament. The Saints faced three teams ranked inside the NJCAA Division I Top-20 poll, and were able to get past No. 15 Pensacola State College 11-10 in their first game in a thrilling, back-and-forth extra-inning contest. Santa Fe then bowed out with losses to No. 12 Indian River and No. 5 College of Central Florida 

In Context

The Saints berth into the FCSAA State Tournament represented the program's 16th appearance all-time, first since the 2017 season, and first under Head Coach Lindsay Fico in her third season. The Saints have improved their record in all three seasons under her direction.

SF Results

5/7 - vs. No. 15 Pensacola State College, W (11-10, 9 inn.) - Recap | Box Score | Photos

5/8 - vs. No. 12 Indian River State College, L (5-1) - Recap | Box Score | Photos 

5/9 - vs. No. 5 College of Central Florida, L (5-2) - Recap | Box Score | Photos

Here are some of the additional highlights for the Saints from the tournament, which was played at Boombah Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, Fla.

All-State Honorees

Santa Fe had three players earn FCSAA All-State/All-NJCAA Region 8 honors, which was announced near the start of the tournament. Story
 
Pitcher Taylor Barrett joined catcher Neely Peterson and infielder Grace Prom on the Second Team. 

   

All-Tournament Team 

The Saints' infielder Story Giebeig was selected to the FCSAA State All-Tournament Team. 
 
Giebeig went 6-12 with three doubles and three RBI in the Saints three games, and went 3-of-6 with two doubles, three RBI, and a run scored in the opening game, an extra-inning victory over No. 15 Pensacola State College.  
 

  

A Key Moment

Saints Down No. 15 Pensacola State College in Extra-Inning Thriller

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.

Fico's Focus

"I'm so proud of what this team has accomplished this year! They are a very special group of athletes who have worked hard to put themselves in a position to compete for a championship. I believe we made Santa Fe proud. We competed and did it the right way, day in and day out. This group has not only made their mark and put Santa Fe back on the map, they have left an everlasting impression on me and made me a better coach!"
 
"I would like to thank Mr. Keites and our administration for working so hard to make sure this season happened. I would also like to thank someone who definitely doesn't get enough credit...my right hand, the person who makes it all go...my assistant, Cara Parker. She does so much with our team behind the scenes and I couln't ask for a better person to go to battle with. The future looks very bright for Santa Fe Softball and I'm just glad to be a small part of it."
 
Santa Fe concluded the season with a record of 31-16, went 20-1 at home, finished second in the Mid-Florida Conference standings (14-7), and won the MFC Tournament on their home field on Thursday, April 22 with two wins over Daytona State.