The Santa Fe baseball team controlled all aspects of the game in a face off against Tallahassee Community College on Friday, February 26, 2010. The competitive Tallahassee (TCC) team came with ambitions to dampen the Saints’s hopes but the Saints demonstrated that they were in control of their jurisdiction, embarrassing the TCC Eagles 12-5.

Ken Wise#28 pitching against TCC on Friday

Ken Wise was given the nod for being the starting pitcher for the Saints and had a solid game. However, Wise had some trouble taking command of his hitters.

“Wise didn’t have command in today’s game. He walked six which resulted in his high pitch count. On the other hand, he had only two hits in the five innings that he pitched which helped him and his teammates today,” said Head Coach Johnny Wiggs.

Right handed pitcher Tommy Goodman ended the game with an unbeatable performance, only allowing one run in four innings. The Saints have struggled with relief pitching this season, so seeing Goodman step up the mound and defend the plate was an encouraging thing for Coach Wiggs to see.

Offensively, the Saints destroyed all hopes of success for TCC. The Saints hitters recorded three doubles and three home runs on the night. T.J Spina slammed the ball beyond the fence in the first inning for the first home run of the game. Both Brett Bozeman and Zach Floyd followed in suit by recording a home run  each later in the game.

Coach Wiggs shared many complements about his team’s performance after the game but the most important aspect that he capitalized on was the well rounded performance from his hitters.

“As the guys showed tonight, we were very productive offensively and displayed good hitting discipline. We had some injuries in  the preseason, like Bozeman and his hand, and it was really good to have Bozeman return to play today. It made our lineup deeper,” said Coach Wiggs.

Bozeman’s return has been a blessing for the Saints. He is the starting catcher and was named the Mid-Florida Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season.

“It feels great to be back. It was hard to sit and watch and not be able to play. I’ve been back for four games as the DH but tonight was my first night back catching,” said Bozeman.

#21 Cory Elasik hit 3-for-4 against TCC and helped his teammates advance bases on Friday

In addition to Bozeman, DH Cory Elasik had an exceptional game. Elasik batted eighth in the lineup but showed his strength by going  3-for-4.  Coach Wiggs pointed out that Mike Miranda and Jeff Moyer had been carrying the team at the plate all season. With Elasik’s paramount performance, it made the Saints’s lineup even deeper.

“My goal tonight was to turn the lineup over and get it back to the top to give us more opportunities to score. For me to get on base is something I see as a positive thing. We never stopped swinging the bats and that was really encouraging for me and for the rest of the guys to experience before going into Conference play next Wednesday,” said Elasik.

Mid-Florida Conference play starts for the Saints on Wednesday against St. John’s River Community College in Palatka at 6pm. Their next home game is against St. John’s River CC again on Friday at 3pm. Pictures from Friday’s TCC game are available in the photo gallery on santafesentinel.org.