Gainesville, FL - On Thursday afternoon, the Santa Fe Saints hosted State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota for their final doubleheader of the season with the Manatees. The Saints topped State College of Florida back in March and matched that today by beating them twice at home. Today, the Saints won Game 1 by three runs with a final score of 8-5. In a much closer pitchers' duel, the Saints were also victorious in Game 2 1-0. Their record advances to 25-11 in the Citrus Conference and 34-17 overall.

How It Happened – Game 1

Santa Fe pitcher Mallory Forrester started the first three innings off holding the Manatees to no runs. The bats for the Saints also came alive in the first and second innings, registering two runs each. 

Forrester ended up recording seven strikeouts while her Saints' teammates were steady behind her in recording only one error. The bats were led by Madi Conway and Sydney Fowler, who each had three hits. Conway and Karris Rhine each had a single scoring runners in the first two innings, contributing to a quick 4-0 lead for Santa Fe.

The Saints continued their strong offensive game into the fifth and sixth innings. Alexis Daphney homered in the fifth with a runner on base and Fowler then doubled with a runner in scoring position, giving the Saints a three-run fifth. Conway finished the scoring for the Saints with a homer to left field in the bottom of the sixth.

How It Happened – Game 2

Santa Fe pitcher Ryleigh Bauer was spectacular in Game 2 as she pitched a complete game shutout for the Saints. She struck out seven and gave up only three hits, none of which resulted in a scoring threat. The Saints played strong again behind their pitcher, committing just one error in Game 2. In the Game 2 pitchers' duel, Bauer came up strong and Ariana Wright helped the Saints get the one run they needed.

Julianna Stachowicz from State College of Manatee had a solid game in the circle as the Saints struggled to connect and only had one hit in Game 2. The hit was a homer though, by Ariana Wright. In the bottom of the fourth, Wright nailed a solo home run over the center field fence for the eventual game winner. It ended up being the only hit the Saints recorded on the day, and the only hit they needed after the outstanding performance by Bauer.

The Saints finished the day 2-0 and capped the season series with Manatee by winning both doubleheaders. The Saints are now 34-17 overall and 25-11 and in fourth place in the conference heading into a weekend doubleheader at Indian River State College, who is one game out of first place in the conference. 

Up Next

On Saturday, April 20^th, the Saints will play Indian River at 1:00PM and 3:00PM EDT in Fort Pierce.