BRADENTON, Fla. – No. 16 Santa Fe Baseball's offense exploded for a season-high 13 runs at the State College of Florida, helping the Saints get past the Manatees by a 13-4 score.

By the end of four innings of play, SF had blown the game open and taken an 11-0 lead.

The Saints took advantage of an error from the Manatees to score the first run, then went ahead 2-0 on an RBI single from Xavier Moronta. With two baserunners still on, Gabriel Esquivel stepped into the box and did what he has done often so far this season, crushing a pitch over the fence for a three-run homer, It was Esquivel's fifth long ball of the season. Jake McKee had an RBI single to account for the sixth run.

Five more runs were manufactured in the fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run fron Tyler Shelnut.

Although the Manatees scored three in the fourth and one in the fifth, the Saints remained in total control and tacked on two more runs in the final inning to take the 13-4 victory at Robert C. Wynn Field.

Key Statistics

The 14 hits and 13 runs were both season-high totals for the Saints.

Every starter in the batting order had a hit, with Esquivel and Shelnut doing the most damage with their three-run homers.

Esquivel led the team with four runs driven in. Wyatt Campbell and Jake McKee accounted for the other two extra-base hits, both connecting for doubles.

Tobin Moran was the story from the mound, earning his first collegiate win. In seven innings, he gave up four runs, with just one being earned. He had good command, walking just one while striking out three.

Jake Blair tossed the final two innings, keeping the Manatees off the scoreboard.  

Up Next

No. 16 Santa Fe (5-3) travels to play Polk State College on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 4:00 p.m.