CLEARWATER, Fla. – The 2023 Santa Fe College Softball season got underway on Friday afternoon. The Saints split their two games, first with a 3-0 loss to the two-time defending NJCAA Champion and No. 1 ranked Florida Southwestern, then ending the day with an 8-4 victory over Indian River.

Game 1 - No. 1 FSW 3, SF 0

The Saints squared off with the powerhouse Buccaneers in the season-opener and did well to put themselves in contention.

Single runs in the first, third, and sixth innings proved to be all that FSW would need, however, as the Saints were unable to push a run across.

A GAME-CHANGING PLAY

In the top of the fifth inning when trailing 2-0, the Saints loaded the bases with just one out.

FSW struck out the next two batters to escape the threat, however, and the best chance for SF to get on the scoreboard went astray.

TEAM COMPARISON

FSW had seven hits to five for SF, but all of the Saints hits were singles.

It was a cleanly played defensive game, with only one FSW error.

SF BATTING LEADERS

Sydney Fowler - 2-4

Keeli Zingaro – 2 BB

SF PITCHING STATS

Kensley Durrance (0-1) – 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Game 2 - SF 8, IRSC 4

The Saints scored their first runs in 2023 with a five-run first inning, and although Indian River started to work their way back into it to draw within a single run, SF produced the game's final three runs to hold off the Pioneers.

A GAME-CHANGING PLAY

Lily Garnett-Brown crushed a three-run homer in the opening inning to help SF establish a cushion, and then Kayla Alexandre went to left field as well for a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth to help the Saints stay in front and extend their lead.

TEAM COMPARISON

Each team had 11 hits, but only one for the Pioneers was of the extra-base variety, while Santa Fe was able to take advantage with runners in scoring position.

BATTING LEADERS

Sydney Fowler – 2-4, R, 2B

Kayla Alexandre – 2-3, HR, 2 RBI

Lily Garnett-Brown – 1-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

Riley Schnyder – 2-3

PITCHING STATS

Sophie Abrams (1-0) – 5 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Kensley Durrance (SV) – 2 IP, 1 H, 1 K

UP NEXT

The Saints (1-1) will play two more tomorrow in Clearwater, beginning with Parkland College at 1:30 p.m. and South Georgia State College at 4:00 p.m.