Santa Fe College Softball Dominates In Doubleheader Sweep Of Hillsborough

The Santa Fe Community College Saints softball team swept a doubleheader against the Hillsborough Community College Hawks on Tuesday in dominant fashion, winning game  one 7-2 and 16-3 in the second game.

The sweep extended Santa Fe’s winning streak to five games, while extending Hillsborough’s losing streak to 15 games.  Hillsborough (1-15, 0-6 Mid-Florida Conference) has not won since its first game of the season in January.

Game One

The Saints (15-10, 5-5) got off to a slow start in game one when they had no baserunners during the first two innings before waking up in the bottom of the third. Infield hits from Tegan Grizzard and Camryn VanGalder led off the inning.  The two baserunners then pulled off a double steal, which set up Karris Rhine‘s two-run double that gave the Saints a lead that they never gave up.

Karis Rhine rips one down the left field line for a 2-rbi double. Santa Fe takes the 2-0 lead over Hillsborough CC. @sfsaintssb @santafesaints @jonathandjamess @ESPNGainesville pic.twitter.com/7oI0eqi9Iy

— James McDonald (@ImJamesMcDonald) March 4, 2025

Rhine scored later on a sacrifice fly by McKenzie Jewell and the Saints tacked on four more runs in the sixth to damper any hopes of a comeback from Hillsborough.

Saints starter Ryleigh Bauer got off to a rocky start.  She allowed runners in scoring position in three of the first four innings, loading the bases in two of them. Bauer was able to escape each of these jams to make it through the first four innings without allowing a run. However, Bauer was pulled after allowing back-to-back home runs to the first two batters she faced in the fifth. Saints coach Savanah Webster called on Belle Mancillas to close out the remainder of the game.  Mancillas delivered by pitching three scoreless innings to secure the 7-2 win.

Mancillas goes 1-2-3 to close it out. Santa Fe takes game 1 of today’s doubleheader. @santafesaints @sfsaintssb @jonathandjamess @ESPNGainesville pic.twitter.com/GbOUSreVeI

— James McDonald (@ImJamesMcDonald) March 4, 2025

Game Two

The Saints got to work quickly in game two by putting up five runs in the first inning. It would only get worse for Hillsborough from there when the Saints scored two more runs in the second, four runs in the third and five runs in the fourth for a total of 16 runs.  Sydney English and Olivia LaMeau, who each had four RBIs, headlined the offensive showcase.

Sydney English answers with a towering 2-run no doubter to right centerfield. 9-3 @sfsaintssb @santafesaints @jonathandjamess @ESPNGainesville pic.twitter.com/Hzzo7aXtIx

— James McDonald (@ImJamesMcDonald) March 4, 2025

“It feels good,” English said. “I’m starting to see the ball a little better and everybody’s making adjustments at the plate.”

Saints starter Alexis Daphney put together a quality start by throwing four innings while allowing three runs, with only one of those runs earned. Daphney’s day was over after four innings and Ryleigh Bennett, who started the game in left field, came in to throw a 1-2-3 fifth inning to close out the run-rule victory.

Bennett gets the job done 1-2-3. Sabre Fe dominates Game 2 16-3 and sweeps the doubleheader, proving why they are in contention for a national ranking. @santafesaints @sfsaintssb @jonathandjamess @ESPNGainesville pic.twitter.com/vb5UDrmCOv

— James McDonald (@ImJamesMcDonald) March 4, 2025

Up Next

Santa Fe plays at Florida SouthWestern State College (22-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Fort Myers. Webster said her plans are to keep up the team’s momentum.

“We’ve got to hit the ball hard,” she said.  “They’re a good team … so we have to jump on them fast and lock in.”

Postgame interviews with Coach Webster and Sydney English by @oliviabass05 pic.twitter.com/kPTyiG6u4o

— James McDonald (@ImJamesMcDonald) March 4, 2025

Santa Fe has never beaten Florida SouthWestern and looks to break that streak Saturday.