Santa Fe College Gets Their First Conference Win of the Season

The Santa Fe Saints softball team got their first conference win of the season against the Daytona State Falcons as they won 3-0. The Saints were coming off a three-game losing streak after the College of Central Florida swept them in their three-game series. After this win, the Saints improved to 1-3 in conference play and 24-14 overall. Meanwhile, the Falcons dropped to 0-4 in conference play, 24-22 overall, and are now on a five-game losing streak.

Santa Fe Stepping Up to the Challenge

Heading into this game, the Saints needed to prepare for more than just the Falcons. They were without head coach Savanah Webster. Coach Webster was ejected from their previous game and was serving a one-game suspension. Saints assistant coaches Katie Chronister and Makenzie Allen stepped up to the challenge and helped lead their team to a win. 

Scoring Summary

The first run came from the Saints’ Jayelyn Carter as teammate Abrianna Hickox hit a sacrifice flyball with bases loaded and no outs at the bottom of the first inning. Unfortunately for the Saints, with a batter on first and second, Falcons pitcher Emma Ream went on to strikeout the next two batters, ending the first inning. The Falcons continued to struggle at the plate, leading straight into the bottom of the second with the Saints up one.

At the bottom of the second Lily Garnett-Brown was at bat with one ball and two strikes. With two outs, the Falcons were one pitch away from closing out the inning. However, as Ream let the pitch go, Garnett-Brown hit it over left field for a home run making it her second one in two games. Over the next few innings, both teams were able to get on base but neither were able to get a run.

While the Saints were up to bat in the bottom of the fifth, Carter hit the ball into a gap in left field getting a single. She proceeded to steal second and tagged up to third. Hickox then hit a double far into left field. This would allow Carter to run home for the Saints’ third run of the game. Both teams, for the rest of the game, would get baserunners, but no one would be able to score as the game ended 3-0 in favor of the Saints.

Saints softball claims Game 1 with Daytona State, as Abrams tosses a complete game, three-hit shutout to help SF pick up Mid-Florida Conference win No. 1! #SicEmSaints pic.twitter.com/FNMYPQtfD0

— Santa Fe Saints (@santafesaints) March 23, 2023

Falcons Troubles

The Falcons made too many critical mistakes that the Saints took advantage of throughout the game. Multiple drops and slow decision-making allowed the Saints to get on base throughout the game. Although the Saints made a few similar mistakes throughout the game, they stayed strong and made the right plays in the game’s biggest moments. The Falcons biggest struggle seemed to be Saints pitcher Sophie Abrams as she pitched for all seven innings. Abrams only gave up three hits, one walk, and no runs while also recording five strikeouts.