February 21, 2016

Photo credit: Fred Wilson, fwilsonphotgraphy.com 

Box Score

Gainesville, FL – Pitching has been the name of the game early in the season for Santa Fe, but on Sunday afternoon the Saints offense showed they are not to be taken lightly either, piling up 17 runs on 15 hits.  Ten different Saints had at least one hit, and four had multiple hits.

Not to be outdone, SF pitcher Alex Kennel (1-0), making his collegiate debut, tossed five strong innings in relief of starter Chris Hopkins to earn the victory.  Anthony Auletta pitched three innings in relief.

FCSAA #8 Santa Fe (14-3) trailed 2-0 after the top of the first, but the deficit was short lived as the Saints plated three in the bottom half of the inning on a RBI by Chad Stockdale, a wild pitch, and an error.

IRSC retook the lead in the top of the second with two runs, but that's where the scoring would stop for the Pioneers.  Santa Fe scored one in the bottom of the second, one in the third, and blew the game open with seven in the fifth on five hits and two Indian River errors.

SF added insurance runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth to wrap up the victory.

Chad Stockdale finished 3-for-5 with a double, triple, two runs and two RBI, Cole Parks was 2-for-5 with four runs scored, Haydn Cano was 2-for-4, and Brandon Hernandez was 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI.  Hugo Valdes hit his first homerun of the season pinch hitting in the seventh.

The Saints finished their home stand 4-0 and have now won six straight overall.  They will head out on the road Wednesday, February 24 for a game against St. Petersburg College at 3:00 PM.

For complete schedules, stats, and more information please visit www.santafesaints.com. 

-30-