Tampa, FL - On Tuesday, the Saints traveled to Hillsborough Community College in Tampa to take on the Hawks in a Citrus Conference matchup.  The Saints entered Tuesday's matchup sitting in fourth in the conference while Hillsborough is next to last, currently in eleventh place. In March, the Saints beat the Hawks in both games by the run rule at home. Tuesday's matchup, which has no bearing on the state tournament, was much closer. Santa Fe pulled out two hard-fought wins. Game 1 resulted in a 2-0 win and the Saints forced extra innings to get the win in Game 2 3-1.  The Saints record moves to 27-13 in the Citrus Conference and 36-19 overall.

How It Happened – Game One

Mallory Forrester started strong in the circle for the Saints and never looked back.  She pitched all seven innings, pitching a complete game shutout whilst striking out seven batters. Multiple players managed hits for the Saints throughout the game, but their first run came from a Hillsborough error. 

The Saints were able to add an insurance run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Alexis Daphney. Madi Conway registered a double in the game as well, and two runs is all the Saints would need to back up the stellar pitching performance by Forrester.

The Saints won Game 1 2-0 with Sydney Fowler, Ariana Wright, Madi Conway, Anna Burnside, and Daphney all collecting a hit.  Santa Fe finished the complete game shutout like Game 2 in Gainesville back in March.

How It Happened – Game Two

Santa Fe pitcher Ryleigh Bauer got the start in Game 2 and did not disappoint.  She pitched nine innings of the extra inning battle and struck out 11 batters.  Peyton Bass finished up the 10th inning for the Saints as they won 3-1.  Hillsborough led after the bottom of the first due to an untimely Saints error, but the Saints would bounce back in the top of the seventh when they tied it up 1-1 because of a Sydney Fowler RBI single.

In extra innings, both teams went scoreless until the Saints scored two in the tenth, thanks to RBI doubles from both Karris Rhine and Madi Conway and an RBI single from Juliann Smith. The Saints took the final lead 4-1 after Smith's single, giving Santa Fe the season and series sweep over Hillsborough four games to none.

The Saints are now 36-19 overall and sit in fourth place in the conference heading into a doubleheader at Miami Dade College on Thursday. The Saints have officially qualified for the FCSAA Tournament in Clearwater, Florida in May.  This will be their first appearance in three years, and they will await the seeding call to know their game time.  In the meantime, the Saints will finish the regular season at home on Saturday versus Miami Dade.

Up Next at Santa Fe at HOME

On Saturday, April 27^th, the Saints will play Miami Dade at 12PM and 2PM in their last home doubleheader of the year.