GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Santa Fe Baseball's 2022 season came to a close with a 14-6 loss at the hands of Lake-Sumter State College, as the Lakehawks hit their way to the seven-inning, run-rule result on the SF Baseball Field.

Especially for those playing in their final game in Saints' uniforms, it wasn't the outcome hoped for as the Lakehawks took the series 2-1. Despite the defeat, SF still held the 4-2 advantage in the season series after sweeping the two teams' first go around from Mar. 26 – Mar. 30.

Two big innings for the Lakehawks proved to be the difference, as LSSC scored five runs in the second frame and six in the seventh to put the run-rule into effect.

The score was tied 1-1 after the first inning, with SF scoring on an RBI single from Gabriel Esquivel after Jevin Relaford led off with a two-bagger.

Lake-Sumter claimed a 6-1 lead in the second however, getting to starter Carson Pillsbury and taking advantage of two Saint's miscues.

A run from SF in the bottom of the fourth was countered by the guests in the top of the fifth to bring the score to 7-2.

The game appeared as if it may swing in momentum towards the Saints, when Esquivel and Xavier Moronta connected for back-to-back jacks in the bottom of the fifth, bringing SF to within three tallies, 7-4.

Once again, the teams traded runs, with SF making it 8-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning with a bases loaded walk from Tyler Shelnut.

The Lakehawks batted through the order in the top half of the seventh however to break the game open. All of Lake-Sumter's five hits, three walks, and six runs were produced with two outs already on the scoreboard.

Dylan Mock had a pinch hit double in the seventh to score Moronta, but SF was unable to extend the game and get the run needed to push the contest past seven innings of play.

Key Statistics

There were 26 hits in the game, as Lake-Sumter held the 16-10 advantage.

Six of the Saints' ten hits went for extra-bases, and all six came from different bats.

Esquivel, Moronta, and Garavito had two hits apiece. Esquivel and Moronta each homered, while Garavito found a gap for a triple.

Pillsbury, Jake Blair, Lance Bolton, and Wyatt Campbell took the mound for the Saints. Pillsbury (0-1) started and was charged with the loss.

For the Season...

Santa Fe finishes the campaign with a 27-24 overall record and 15-15 mark in Mid-Florida Conference play.

Head Coach Johnny Wiggs won his 500th career game at SF with a 6-1 result over Daytona State College on Mar. 21, then reached career coaching win No. 700 in the next game with the Falcons, a 9-1 victory on Mar. 23.  

It is the first time since 2014 that SF will not be making an appearance at the FCSAA/NJCAA Region VIII State Tournament, after six consecutive seasons of doing so.  

In the Record Books

Esquivel's home run was his 19th of the season, as he tied teammate Tyler Shelnut and Santa Fe Athletics Hall of Famer Matt Armstrong for the program-record in a season.

It was quite the back-and-forth race between Shelnut and Esquivel for the team's home run lead, and each finish their prolific seasons with 19 to currently rank No. 4 in the NJCAA. The two were catalysts for the SF offense all season long, and Shelnut will continue his career at the University of Florida while Esquivel has committed to the University of North Florida.

No. 19 Esquivel matched his teammate Tyler Shelnut with his 19th home run of the season, tying the program record, but the Saints dropped to visiting Lake-Sumter 14-6 to conclude the 2022 season.

SF finishes with a record of 27-24 and 15-15 in Mid-Florida Conference play. pic.twitter.com/17UH05UeX9

— Santa Fe Saints (@santafesaints) April 27, 2022