Bradenton, FL- On Friday, the Santa Fe baseball team traveled down to Bradenton to face the State College of Florida Manatees for the first of a three-game series.  In a high scoring affair that included twenty-four hits, the Saints prevailed to win the first contest (10-9).

How It Happened

The Saints used a three-pitcher rotation of Colby Rice, Matthew Jenkins, and Nick Davidson.  They recorded a total of nine strikeouts.  The pitching combo of Brandon Clarke and Daniel Hartley recorded nineteen strikeouts and two walks.  

AJ Barrios led the Saints offensively going two for four at the plate with one homerun and two RBI's.  Other offensive standouts for the Saints included BJ Graham who went two for four at the plate with one RBI and Grant Gallagher who added a homerun.

Left fielder Allen Gil-Fernandez led the Manatees at the plate with three hits on six plate appearances.  Erick Almonte and Mario Trivella both went two for four at the plate.    

Santa Fe started out fast by scoring five runs in the first three innings.  In the top of the 2nd inning AJ Barrios singled on a line drive to left field.  Wyatt Campbell hit a single to left field.  BJ Graham followed up with an RBI single to score the first run for the Saints.  AJ Barrios hit a homerun in the 3rd inning to put the Saints up 5-0. 

The Manatees had their biggest inning in the 5th scoring a total of six runs.  Allen Gil-Fernandez hit a two-run homer scoring Pip Smalley.  Mario Trivella hit an RBI single on a hard ground ball to left fielder Landon Rogers scoring Santiago Ordonez (5-4, Saints).  Erick Almonte hit a two run RBI double to score Mario Trivella and Luke Boykin giving the Manatees their first lead of the game (5-6, Manatees).  Later in the inning the Manatees scored another run on a passed ball (5-7, Manatees). 

In the 6th inning Walker Vanacek hit a one run homer (5-8, Manatees).  Grant Gallagher homered in the top of the 7th to cut into the Manatees lead (6-8, Manatees).

After tying up the score up (8-8) the Saints regained the lead after a two run RBI single (10-8, Saints) by Corey Filley.  Santa Fe held on to take the win against the Manatees (10-9)

Up Next

On Sunday the Saints will continue their series against the Manatees at home at Harry Tholen Field.  The first pitch is scheduled for 12PM and 2PM.