The Santa Fe Sentinel

Saints Win as Season Winds Down

Chris Schnabel — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:48:20 +0000

(Starter Felix Roque went 5 innings giving up two runs)

Gainesville-Saints got back on the wining track against the Seminole State College Raiders by the score of 8-4. This puts the Saints in a nice two game wining streak with only three games left to the regular season. “I didn’t want us to be hobbling into the post season”, said coach Johnny Wiggs, “I’d like to finish on some sort of four or five games winning streak to make us feel hot going into the state tournament.”

(Garrett Greenwell had two hits and three RBI's)

The Saints offense started right out of the gate scoring four runs in the first starting with a one out single by Jacob Tillotson and followed by a base hit by Shane Kennedy. After a fly out to center by Caleb Denmark, A.J. Mazzurco hit a two run double to make the score two to nothing. After a walk to Trey Griffin, Garrett Greenwell drove in two more runs with another double pushing the score to 4-0. The Saints would pick up one more run in the bottom of the second on a RBI groundout by Tillotson making the score 5-0. The Saints would not score again until the 5^th inning. With the score of 5-2, Trey Griffin hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 6-2. The Saints would tag on two more runs in the seventh and would win by a score of 8-4.

A.J. Mazzurco finished the game 2-3 with two RBI’S and two runs and Garrett Greenwell finished the game 2-4 with three RBI’s. “We’ve been swinging the bat great” said coach Wiggs “For a few games there we haven’t been getting hits with runners in scoring position… the last couple games we’ve gotten the hits when we

(Josh Larson pitched three innings relief giving up two runs)

needed them”.

Felix Roque started the game and pitched well. He went five innings giving up two earned runs and stuck out one along with one walk. “I thought Felix did a good job” stated Wiggs, “I thought he made one bad pitch, the change up ahead in the count [up 0-2] that knocked in the only two runs he gave up, besides that I thought he threw the ball well”. Josh Larson came in to relive Roque and pitched three innings striking out four and giving up two runs. “He [Larson] came in and bridged the gap for us” said coach about Larson. The last pitcher today was Caleb Denmark who pitched one no-hit inning in the 9^thto close

(Roque Picked up the win as the Saints won 8-4)

out the game, “we defiantly wanted to get [Denmark] into the game today, he hasn’t pitched in a while, but he looked really sharp, had a really good breaking ball.” said Wiggs.

The Saints hit the road Wednesday to take on Lake-Sumter and then return home for their final games of the 2012 regular season Friday at 3 PM and Saturday at 1 PM

Saints Play Last Home Game, Sweep Lake Sumter Community College

Chris Schnabel — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:27:45 +0000

(Saints Lined Up on there last game at home in 2012)

Gainesville- As the clock struck two, the Saints lined up on Santa Fe Field’s for the last time in the 2012 season and for some of these players, it’s for the very last time. Nine sophomores played there last home game in a Saints uniform and were able to pull off victories 4-1 and 8-2.

(Pitcher Shannen Marchu Pitched Game Two)

Karla Claudio started game one and took a no hitter into the 7^th inning before giving up a hit with one out.

“I don’t think she had her best stuff today, but given the fact that she was out for a couple of weeks I think it was probably to be expected,” said Coach Chris Ahern.

The Saints started scoring right off the bat. Paige Sandiford started the game with a walk and followed by a sacrifice bunt by Ashley Holton and walk to Karla Claudio. Erika Garcia then came up to the plate and made the score 2-0 on a two RBI double to center.

After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second the Saints went back to work. Leading off the bottom of the inning, Shannen Marchu ripped a single up the middle. Marchu would end up scoring a pass ball later in the inning.

The bottom of the third would start the same way the last two did, with a runner on first after a base knock by Erika Garcia. With two outs in the inning Marchu came up with another hit while driving in Garcia and pushing the score to 4-0 going into the fourth.

Claudio would keep pitching great not giving up a hit until the 7^th inning. She would finish 6.2 innings giving up two hits and a run while striking out eight and earning the win.

The Saints only picked up five hits including two by Marchu.

“I’ve been seeing the ball very well and it just happened to work out today,” said Marchu.

(Paige Sandiford rips a single)

There were also three players with one hit, one of them being Erika Garcia, who had two RBI’s as well.

“We worked so hard for that win, all and all it was a good team effort,” said Ahern. “We put it together finally when we needed to.”

Game two would not be as close of a finish as the Saints really pulled away late. The first couple innings would go run for run as the Saints and the Lakers went back and fourth.

After a lead-off double by Paige Sandiford, Garcia would drive her in tying the game at one in the first. The Saints would take the lead in the bottom if the second.

Bianca Torres led off the bottom of the second with a double and ended up scoring on a RBI ground out by Kimberly Booker. The Lakers would score a run in the top of the third tying the game at two and it would stay that way until the fifth when the Saints would pull away. Garcia started the inning with a single up the middle and Claudio followed that with another hit. With one out in the inning Bianca Torres hit a two RBI single down the left field line scoring Day (Who ran for Garcia) and Claudio and then Torres would score on a RBI triple by Marchu.

(Pitcher Karla Claudio Pitched Game One)

In the sixth inning, while pitch hitting for Sandiford, Stephanie Cameron knocked a base hit to left that followed by a hit by Garcia and one by Claudio and then while pitch hitting Layne McDermond, Jessica Threadgill singled past second base scoring a run. Then after a walk that scored a run to Marchu, Kim Booker hit a RBI single pushing the score to 8-2, which would be the final score.

The Saints had 14 hits this game with five players having multi hit games including Torres who was 2-4 with two runs and two RBIs.

“I wasn’t trying to think hard about hitting the ball,” said Torres. “I was just trying to do my job.”

Sandiford also had a multi-hit game; she was 2-3 with one run and a walk. “Practicing and concentrating on what I have to fix in my swing,” said Sandiford. “It was a little slower today and it’s a little bit tougher to adjust to something like that but we practice it and we had it coming.”

That was the last game for nine Sophomores which included #1 Lindsey Fisher, #2 Nicole Day, #7 Brittney Mayhill, #8 Bianca Torres, #9 Jessica Threadgill, #10 Ashley Holton, #11 Erika Garcia, #14 Alaysia Miller, and #24 Stephanie Cameron. I asked sophomores Ashley Holton and Erika Garcia about their time at Santa Fe College. “They have a really good record in conference so I think if you play here your pretty good” Said Garcia about what it means to play for the Saints. How good they were also appealed to both of them on wanting to come to Santa Fe. “I like our sophomores this year, there defiantly team people… There great leaders.” Said Garcia about the sophomore class. When asked about the goal of the sophomores this year, Holton and Garcia both said “Conference”. “That’s out main goal because we don’t want

(Ashley Holton playing her last home game a Saint)

to be the ones to break the tradition, seven years in a row now, we don’t want to be the one to break it” Stated Holton. Ashley Holton after this year will be heading off to North Florida, “I think (Chris) Ahern got some good ties with that coach over there so I pretty sure that helped me out a little bit, and then us playing them in the fall, them being able to see me, I feel that help a little bit too” Said Holton about how Santa Fe helped her. Garcia, Although not sure if she is going, Is thinking Nova this fall. “I’ve gotten a lot better since I’ve gotten here” Stated Garcia, “I’ve matured a lot with softball and more composed on the field and you have to be that way in college”

The Saints play two more double headers this week before the post season starts.

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(The Nine Saints Sophomores)

Saints Take Two from Coastal Georgia

Chris Schnabel — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:33:10 +0000

Gainesville- After a long Saturday afternoon, The Saints came back out to take on Central Georgia and they didn’t show any exhaustion at all rolling past Georgia 9-1 and 14-3.

Brittney Mayhill (Photo Santa Fe Athletics)

Game one was a hitting clinic by the Saints, posting 16 hits in the shortened game. Georgia scored first in the first inning to go up 1-0 and would take that score to the bottom of the second after that, they would not see a lead for the rest of the day. McDermond started the second with a single, a Torres single to put two runners on. After a sacrifice bunt by Marchu and walk to Mayhill, Paige Sandiford hit a fielder’s choice (which did not record an out), scoring McDermond. Holton also hit into a fielder’s choice with Torres being thrown out at home. So with two outs, Erika Garcia came up with the bases loaded. She would come through for the Saints and hit an RBI single and score another run putting the Saints up 2-1. The bottom of the third would be even more productive for the Saints. McDermond came up with one out to start it up for the Saints with a double to deep right center. Torres followed up the double with a bunt single and McDermond scored on an error by Georgia. After a stolen base by Torres, Shannen Marchu singled up the middle and reached second on a throw in. With runners on second and third, Brittney Mayhill grounded out to first, scoring Torres. Paige Sandiford then came up and ripped a double to shallow right center scoring Marchu, making the score 5-1. The fourth inning, like every inning, would be productive for the Saints as well. After a walk to Nicole Day to lead off the inning, Kim Booker placed down a sacrifice bunt. Next up was Layne McDermond, who was already 2-2 on the day. After a pass ball by the pitcher, McDermond gets another hit, scoring Day and pushing herself to 3-3 on the day. Torres again reached first on a bunt and Marchu singled bring up Brittney Mayhill with the bases loaded. She would come through and single up the middle, scoring McDermond. The Saints, after four innings, would be up 7-1 and running away with the game. Neither team would score in the fifth inning but the game would end early with two outs in the sixth. To lead off the sixth, the red-hot Layne McDermond would lead off with a base hit, making her 4-4 on the day followed by two consecutive outs. Then with McDermond on third, Brittney Mayhill would smack a base hit, scoring McDermond. After Miller was sent in to hit for Sandiford, she hit an RBI single, ending the game on a mercy rule with a final score of 9-1.

The second game would be all Saints. The Saint jumped out early with a solo home run by Ashley Holton in the first inning.

Lanye McDermond (Photo Santa Fe Athletics)

In the bottom of the second, the Saints would send up 11 batters and score seven runs, starting with a one out single by Bianca Torres. After a bunt by Mayhill lead her around all of the bases Aileen Fiallo doubled deep to left center. Paige Sandiford came up after and walked then Holton bunted for a base hit bringing up Kayla Claudio-Rivera with the bases loaded. She would end up singling to shallow left, scoring Fiallo and keeping the bases loaded. Kim Booker would pop out to short leaving the bases loaded for Erika Garcia who would hit a 3-2 pitch over the wall for a grand slam. After a McDermond single, Torres would get out ending the seven run inning for the Saints. The bottom of the third the Saints would keep on rolling. After a leadoff walk to Mayhill and a ground out by Fiallo, Marchu came up and singled, scoring Mayhill bringing up Ashley Holton who for a second time in the game, homered, continuing her hot streak and pushing the score to 11-0. The Saints would continue to pound on Georgia in the bottom of the fourth. After two walks and a strikeout, Aileen Fiallo gets hit by a pitch scoring a run and leaving the bases loaded for Marchu. She would come through for the Saints hitting a single to right center scoring two and pushing the score to 14-0. The final score would be 14-3 as Georgia would score three runs in the top of the seventh but no matter the Saints would improve to 27-21.

The Saints play their last home game Tuesday April 10^th.

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Simpson Struggles, Saints Fall to Lake Sumter Community College 7-3

Chris Schnabel — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:27:46 +0000

Gainesville-“You got to be kidding me,” said second baseman Shane Kennedy as a blooper dropped right on the line in the 7^th, which ended in a triple. That was the kind of game it was. The Saints played very unlike themselves in the loss today, committing 3 errors as a team and only picking up six hits. “Off-speed lefthander, frustrated us today… we weren’t very good in all aspects of the game” said Coach Johnny Wiggs.

(Simpson has been good of late, but struggled in this game)

JT Simpson started the game for the Saints, but he didn’t look like himself. “JT’s had a really good string of starts lately, but today wasn’t one of them… he’s a guy that throws a lot of strikes, today he just threw to many strikes” stated Wiggs. The game started off wrong with an error by Caleb Denmark at first base. After a strike out and a ground out, Simpson gave up three straight hits, but only surrendered one run. The Saints went down one, two, three in the first bringing Simpson back out to the mound. He started the second with a hit by pitch. After an unassisted ground out by Denmark, an error by Second Baseman Shane Kennedy put two runners on. An RBI single followed that up. With two outs in the second, Lake Sumter got a two RBI double putting them up 4-0. Santa Fe got a hit in the bottom of the inning but did nothing with it. Simpson’s last inning of the game started off like all the others, bad. He gave up a lead off solo home run, pushing the score to 5-0. It wasn’t until the 6^th inning that the Saints would get on the board. In a 6-0 game, AJ Mazzurco hit a two run double off the wall in center making the score 6-2. Both teams scored a run in the seventh and that would wrap up the scoring with the final being 7-3.

Six Saints had a hit in the game, each accumulating one hit. Even in the loss, Reliever Trevor Berry had an outstanding

(Berry dominated the last four innings of the game, the Saints just couldn't score for him)

game, being the only shining point in the game. He kept the Saints in the game late but they just couldn’t string anything together, going four innings of shut out ball, giving up five hits in that span and striking out two. “He [Berry] did a great job the last four innings giving us a chance, but we just didn’t swing it well enough to make that come back” said Wiggs.

The Saints hit the road Friday to play College of Central Florida. There next home game is Monday April 16^th at 3 PM.

TAKE YOUR PICK!

Chris Schnabel — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:53:55 +0000

TOP 10 MOST UNDERRATED PLAYERS FOR YOUR MLB DRAFT

(Josh Johnson is going as late as 18th round)

4-4-12 Baseball season is right around the corner (technically it already started in Japan) and that means people are starting to jump into fantasy baseball. The first couple of rounds are easy but it’s when you get deep into the late rounds it starts getting hard to pick. Well, me being a four-year running champion on CBS Sports and a one-time champ on ESPN, I thought I’d help with a list of underrated players that will be there when you hit the late rounds of your draft. So, here is a nice list of players that will more then likely be out there once you start getting to that 6^th round and higher:

Honorable Mentions:

Dan Uggla, Second Baseman for the Atlanta Braves.

He’s a tough one. He can go on the hottest streak of anyone, like we witnessed last year, or he can be as cold as the freezer, again, as we witnessed last year. But as far as production goes he’s a can’t miss. He will give you 30+ home runs and 80+ RBI’s. The biggest reason he’s not on my top ten, a .233 batting average, that won’t cut it, unless your Mark Reynolds of course.

Paul Konerko, First Baseman for the Chicago White Sox.

(Konerko had had career years the last two years)

One of those players I just feel is completely underrated. He hit 31 home runs last year, .906 OPS, 105 RBI’s and he batted .300. So what’s keeping people until the 8^th round to take him? It’s not like he had a down year in 2010, he hit 39 home runs and batted .312, must be cause he had a “down” year in 2011.

Jay Bruce, Outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds.

People don’t like taking Bruce because he’s not a talked about guy. What people are missing is that he

can hit 30+ homers, drive in 100 RBI’s and score 80+ runs. He has to bring that average up though, .250 isn’t cutting it.

Yadier Molina, Catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Yadier has always been the pedicle of defensive catchers, but don’t sleep on his offense. He batted .305 last year with 14 home runs. He doesn’t strike out a lot either (44) and his OPS is very good at .814. People just don’t look at him for his offense, so he’ll be there late.

TOP 10

10. Andre Ethier, Outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He can get overlooked because of his outfield counterpart Matt Kamp, but he is no slouch. A .292 hitter, not a lot of power

(Ethier has been underrated by fantasy owners his whole career)

or speed but will hit doubles (30). He’s going in the 13^th and 14^th rounds average.

9. Alex Avila, Catcher for the Detroit Tigers.

He was an all-star; He hit 19 homers, he batted .295. So why is he going into the 17^th round? No one can answer this but it works for you! He is a perfect steal late into the draft, so it makes it easier to focus on other positions that seem to go a lot quicker (first base, shortstop)

8. Michael Morse, Outfielder for the Washington Nationals.

.303 Batting average 31 home runs 95 Runs Batted In and 73 runs. You

(Michael Morse hit .303 with 31 Homers last year and still gets picked late)

here those numbers and big player names like Joey Votto and Robinson Cano, but in fact those where Michael Morse numbers from a year ago. People over look Morse because they don’t know who he is, and this will work out in your favor. Be warned, he is going to start on the DL, again helping you seeing as he will go even later.

7. Howard Kendrick, Second baseman for the Los Angeles Angels.

Second Baseman go very fast, and not everyone can get a Cano, so what do you do? Go with Howard! He batted .285 last year, which was 4^th best among all second baseman in baseball. He also slugged 18 homers and drove in 63 people. He ranks in the top 10 in every category among second baseman. On the topic of second baseman, I’m also having along with Kendrick, Ian Kinsler at number 7, who is going very late in drafts. He scored 121 runs while hitting 32 homers and 77 RBI’s. He is a top five second baseman in the league!

6. Johnny Cueto, Pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.

(Cueto did not qualify for a lot of stats last year as he was injured)

Cueto is going too deep for the year he put together last year. He posted the second lowest ERA in the majors, but did not qualify because of an injury in the beginning of the 2011 season. He still finished 9-5 with a 2.31 ERA and 104 strikeouts, but those stats don’t seem to impress fantasy owners. This guy can be picked as late as the 18^th round and can be an ace on your staff.

5. Justin Morneau, First baseman for the Minnesota Twins.

I saw this guy go in the last round of a draft; did I mention he’s a former most valuable player? He has had concussion problems for the last two years and if they come back, he’ll be a complete bust but, if he’s healthy, your looking at big numbers, and sad faces for letting you get him so late.

4. Starlin Castro, Short Stop for the Chicago Cubs.

He’s young but he’s good. He will end up being one of the best Short Stops in the majors this year, but he still is going in the

(Shortstop Starlin Castro is one of the better going shortstops in the league)

7^th or 8^th rounds. This guy is a .300 hitter that will give you about 10 homers and 20 steals. The best part though is he will get you runs, and lots of them. Good guy to look into.

3. Michael Young, Designated Hitter for the Texas Rangers.

Always underrated in his career. He’s a top 10 guy when it comes to batting average, and he has a little pop in that bat as well. 100+ RBI’s and 90+ runs to go with 15+ homers and a .338 average, you’ve got to like your chances. He is going in the 7^th and/or 8^th rounds so make sure you get him, he’s a good guy to have late in the season.

(Hunter Pence has been underrated his whole career)

2. Hunter Pence, Outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.

The guy’s a .314 hitter. He hits 20+ home runs and drives in 95+ RBI’s. Did I mention he could score 80+ runs and give you 10-15 steals as well? He has always been, in my eyes, the most underrated player in baseball. No matter how many times he proves himself people still doubt him. If he’s there in the 6^th, 7^th round, and he will be, make sure you snatch him up, he’s going to make you one happy camper.

1. Josh Johnson, Pitcher for the Miami Marlins.

This is hit or miss. If he’s healthy, you will have the best pitcher in baseball! If he gets hurt, oh well you took him late anyway. He is going in the 15^th and/or 16^th round which is just ridiculous. This pitcher, when healthy, is the best money can buy. So why is he going so late? People are scared of the injury. Don’t be scared; take the risk, because if you do, you are going to love him!

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Saints Sweep, Stay atop the Division

Chris Schnabel — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:08:01 +0000

(Saints gather around the mound before game one)

Gainesville-Saints stay in first place after a sweep of conference rivals St. John River State College Vikings by the scores of 4-3 and 6-5. Both games were started by freshman Starter Shannen Marchu. She was pitching a no hitter up until the 5th inning where she struggled slightly but overall had a great outing. “You can’t be perfect everyday, but I went out and did my best” said Shannen about her outing. Marchu finished the day going 4.1 innings walking two batters and giving up three runs as she earned the win. “She sort of lost a little bit of her groove and was feeling a little bit of pressure but I think she

(Pitcher Shannen Marchu, who started both games)

was ok” stated Saints Coach Chris Ahern, “I think at that point she started to feel like she wasn’t in her stride and the pitches may not have been where she wanted them, Or maybe she didn’t get one pitch and got a little bit out of it mentally, but she was ok… She did a great job for us”. The hitting hero of the game was second baseman Bianca Torres who went 3-3, all base hits, and scored once. “I was ready to play” stated Torres. Two other big performances came from Alaysia Miller and Erika Garcia who both finished with two hits each and Miller had an RBI. “Amazing” said Ahern when asked about the three; they put the ball in play when we needed it to be there” After Marchu came out in the 5th, Cierra Miller came in and really shut down St. John River. She ended up with 1.2 shut out innings giving up only a lone hit in the 7th. “I needed to get the job done… and I knew my defense had my back, I wouldn’t doubt any single player out there, I’ll let them put the ball in play and let the defense work hard for us.” stated Miller about her performance. “She’s one of those girls that has all the pitches, so it’s just a matter of getting her a little more

(Catcher Layne McDermound hits a single in the 8th inning of game two)

experience” stated Coach Ahern. Game two of the double header was another nail biter, and needed extra frames just to get it done. The Saints would come out strong scoring three runs in the third to take a 3-0 lead into the 4th where St. Johns River would make a comeback. St. Johns scored two runs in the 4th to cut it to 3-2 but after an RBI double by Brittney Mayhill, the Saints lead was extended to 4-2. “In this game you have to step up, and with our team everybody steps up, I just felt like that was my time.” stated Mayhill about her RBI double. After a St. Johns home run in the 5th it was a one run game. The game would stay that way into the top of the 7th where St. Johns would score the game tying run and the go ahead runs to take the lead into the bottom of the 7th. The Saints came out on all cylinders and after a lead off single by Mayhill and a sac bunt by Paige Sandiford, all eyes where on short stop Ashley Holton, who made a crucial error in the top of the inning that lead to the Vikings lead. “I know lately I wasn’t doing my best at the plate so today I knew we had to come out on top.” said Holton. After a 1-1 count, Holton would rip a base hit, driving in Mayhill and tying up the game, sending it into extra innings. “I knew I had to come through for my

(Brittney Mayhill had a could of big hits throughout both games)

team and I felt I wasn’t doing at the time so at that moment I had to come through” stated Holton. After a one, two, three inning by Miller, the Saints came back to the plate. The first pitch of the bottom half of the inning was almost a walk off as it just missed a home run by Layne McDermound ending in a single. After an error by the pitcher, walk to Shannen Marchu followed by two outs, it came down to Holton again, this time in the bottom of the 8th with a chance to win it. She would end up drawing a game-winning walk; with the final score Saints winning 6-5. “I knew at that moment I also had to come through, with not doing it in the field and I knew that whatever was going to happen I was going to come through for my team”. Holton said about the walk. The Saints next home game will be this Saturday against Seminole State College at 1:00 PM.

Video of the 8th inning Click Here

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Saints Come From Behind, Win 11-6

Chris Schnabel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:37:56 +0000

(Saints swarm Caleb Denmark After his Home Run)

Gainesville-After an early 1-0 lead over Florida State College of Jacksonville, the Saints fell behind big time in the third, 6-1. Starting pitcher Lawrence Pardo struggled in this game going only 2.1 innings giving up five runs (four earned) while walking three and giving up four hits. “He’s had a couple of rough outings” said Coach Johnny Wiggs about Pardo’s outing. “He’ll continue to work, if were going to do what we want to do [in terms of post season] you’ve got to use a lot of pitchers, there comes a time you play 5 straight days. If we ever get to the World Series again you have to play around 10 straight days, if

(starter Lawrence Pardo struggled going only 2.1 and giving up 4 runs)

were going to be a championship caliber club you have to use all of your pitchers.”

When it got to the fourth inning, the Saints were able to cut the lead down to three starting with a lead off solo home run by third baseman Caleb Denmark. “Before the home run I actually felt like a home run would be good right now, but I was just trying to make good contact and look the other way but he happened to throw a fastball in.” said Denmark. “I keep getting on [Caleb] Denmark for fun telling him he needs to start swinging like a four hole hitter [only having one or two home runs going into the game] but he’s a really good hitter, he’s hitting .370 or something but I’ve been teasing him that he needs to hit for more power.” stated Coach Wiggs. Denmark would finish the game 2-4 with two RBI’s. The biggest hit of the game belonged to second baseman Shane Kennedy, who finished the game 2-4 with a double and a RBI, drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to help cap off a remarkable comeback. “Kennedy has been good all year for us” stated Wiggs about Shane, “He had a couple of tough at bats during the game, I always tell guys even if they strike out there first three times there biggest at bat may come in there fourth at bat just stay focused and concentrate.” Trey Griffin and Mallex Smith both finished with two hits and a RBI each.

(Reliever Berry helped the Saints to the win with over 2 scoreless innings)

Even with Pardo’s slow start, relievers Trevor Berry and Felix Roque really picked up the Saints. Trevor Berry threw 1.2, giving up just one hit and Felix Roque pitched the final 3.1 only giving up three hits and picking up the win. Both gave up no runs. “Your middle reliefs are under-appreciated at times, but not in a game like this where they come in and hang all those zeros… there very important.” said Wiggs on his middle relievers; “I told the guys on the bench if we got out of that inning [sixth] we were going to win the game, they made me look good.”

The Saints will be back at home this Saturday to take on Saint John River State College at 1 PM.

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Saints Sweep Central, Move Into First

Chris Schnabel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:05:29 +0000

(Saints Swarm Erika Garcia after her 2-run home run in the 6th)

Saints came into game one of today’s series against the College of Central Florida, and even though there was sloppy play, they would come away with the victory. It was a back and fourth effort but a big game tying hit by Alaysia Miller and the eventual game winning hit by Bianca Torres would make up for the four errors on defense and help win the game 6-5. “We let the game get out of control there with a couple errors (4)” said Coach Chris Ahern on today’s game. Alaysia Miller had

(Erika Garcia hits her 2-run home run in the 6th to give the Saints the lead)

two big game tying hits this game, one crucial one in the seventh. “I was thinking I have to help my team out, I have to tie this game up going in with 100% confidence and I just pulled it through every time” said Miller about the clutch hits. “It was pretty awesome” Said Ahern, “She’s been doing that a whole lot lately… where hoping that’s something that can stay that way for the rest of the way out.”

Starter Amber Richardson went 6.1 innings before coming out with an injury. She gave until the eventual go ahead run after going 6 innings without giving up a run. “She might have kicked the rubber a little bit on a pitch delivery, we’re going to play

(Pitcher Shannen Marchu shows the outs)

it safe and have the staff take a look at her and hope she’s fine” stated Ahern.

Game two was another barnburner. Starter Shannen Marchu made her first career start, and it couldn’t have been in a bigger game as the Saints went onto win 2-0. “I walked onto the field and team looked at me and said I got your back, so I wasn’t really worried about it because I know my team always has my back”. She went the full 7 innings and pitched a one hit shutout. “I think she did a really good job controlling them [Central]… That’s amazing for her on her first college start, she did a really good job, she stepped up and gave us a great game” said Coach Ahern. The Saints came through with clutch hits

(Shannen Marchu went all 7 innings in her first college start)

again, this game it was Erika Garcia, as she hit a two run home run in the sixth inning which would go on to be the deciding runs in the game. “I didn’t want to go into extra innings and we needed a hit so, just trying to do what I can” said Garcia about her go-ahead home run. “She’s amazingly valuable, she’s a kid that came through a whole lot for us last year, she’s a staple at first base… she’s got a bat that if you put it in the wrong place, she going to do that [hit home runs] often.” said Ahern about Garcia.

This win moves the Saints in to first place in the Mid-Florida Conference, and after a rocky start to the season, it’s abigaccomplishment. “It feels good, we had a rocky start this season, but it’s starting to come together” said Garcia about being in first. “It feels pretty good [to be in first]. Nobody thought we would be here after how we started so it feels really good” stated Marchu, who won today’s game.

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Saints Induct First Hall of Fame Class

Chris Schnabel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:00:10 +0000

(Former Head baseball coach Harry Tholen accepting his Hall of Fame trophy, Tholen won 526 games in his storied coaching career)

3-24 Gainesville- Before the Saints threw a pitch Saturday after noon; Santa Fe inducted 13 members into their newly

(Hall of Fame Inductee Laura "LJ" Johnson)

established Hall of Fame. These inductees are baseball player Matt Armstrong who is the all time Santa Fe home run leader with 33 home runs. “A lot of mixed emotions, happy, excited, a little old, but it’s a great achievement, I can’t say enough good things about this school” said Matt Armstrong about being inducted. Long time baseball coach Harry Tholen, who won the first state title with this baseball team and is a part of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2011, was also one of the 13 inductees today. “My family and I spent 30 years here and these were very special years because of the relationships. All of the other honors or awards that I received would not have been possible if not for my relationships with the student athletes and faculty.” Tholen is now an assistant coach for head coach Johnny Wiggs. Another baseball inductee was Marshall McDougall, who played for the Saints from 1996-1998. He holds the Saints all-time batting average record for a career with a .428 average. The last baseball inductee was Hank Woodman who played for Santa Fe in 1994-1996. Woodman holds the Saints all-time wins in a career record of 15 wins in his two seasons.

Another sport that gained a lot of attention at the hall of fame ceremony was women’s basketball with the inductions of

(Hall of Fame inductee Matt Armstrong)

coaches Sandy Miller and Paula Edney and stand out player Laura Johnson, who played under both coaches. “Its an exciting and humbling experience, its been a long time since I was coaching at Santa Fe, 33 years ago, you never realize what it is and what it might mean to you” said inductee and former coach Sandy Miller, who was the first Women’s basketball coach back in 1979. She started the basketball program from nothing and was state runner-ups in her first season as a basketball coach. “The coaches that followed me, they were just great coaches and they built the program, we established the program in the first two years of it, and we were winners” stated Miller about the program.

There were also two more athletes there to accept their award to the Santa Fe Hall of Fame, Fast pitch softball pitcher Rachael Foster who played for the Saints from 2004-2006. She had 48 wins in her career and is tied for 3^rd all time, she is second all time in strike outs as well. “I’m so excited and honored; I never would have believed it… It’s a dream come true,” said Rachael Foster. “I always wanted to be in a Hall of Fame”. The last athlete there to accept his award to the hall of fame is Track and Field star Octavius Clark. Clark help Santa Fe win three National titles; he also went on to win the Pan – American 800 meter in 1991 and placed second in the United States

(Hall of Fame Inductee Rachael Foster)

Nationals 800 meters. “I just have to again reflect back to the time when I first arrived here on this campus September of 1982 after getting out of the navy” Said Octavius. “I was a young kid and I grew into a man here at Santa Fe College.”

There were also two teams inducted into the Hall of Fame, these teams were the 1985 Baseball team coached by Harry Tholen and the 1983-1984 women’s basketball team coached by Paula Edney. The 1985 baseball team was the first team to win a State tournament. It would be one of only two that Santa Fe baseball would win. The 1983-1984 women’s basketball team would go 28-2 and win the state tournament for the second time in school history. That would be the last one won for the lady Saints.

There were five athletes that were inducted that could not make it to the induction ceremony; those players were Fast pitch softball players Trisha Davis, who played 1996-1998, and Stacie Pestrak, who played 2002-2004, Men’s basketball player George Gilmore, the two for mentioned baseball players Marshall McDougall and Hank Woodson. Last to be inducted was Kenny Drost, who coached and was athletic director from 1979-2000, He passed away in 2007 so in his honor his son gave a speech and

(Hall of Fame Inductee Octavius Clark

accept his award.

The games scheduled to be played in both softball and baseball were rescheduled due to rain. Baseball will be Sunday, March 25^th and softball will be Tuesday, March 27^th.

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Yarbrough Dominates as Saints Win 8-0

Chris Schnabel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 02:55:09 +0000

Fri Feb 17, 2012-Santa Fe started its five-game home stand on Friday, and first-game pitcher Ryan Yarbrough took the

Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough Went seven innings and stuck out seven as the Saints won 8-0

mound. After dominating games against South Georgia College and South Florida Community College, he continued against Indian River State College.

Yarbrough went seven innings, struck out seven and did not give up a walk (he hasn’t given one up all season). He also hasn’t given up any runs this season.
“He couldn’t have been any more dominant than he was last weekend in his five innings down in South Florida, but he was super again,” said Coach Johnny Wiggs about Yarbrough’s performance.
“They’re [the runs] about the defense behind me, which did incredible today,” said Yarbrough. “The defense behind me is incredible, I give everything to them.”
To go along with the pitching and defense the Saints put up eight runs. The attack was lead by Shane Kennedy who was 3-4 with a home run and was a double away from the cycle (a single, double, triple and home run in one game).
“I felt like I was seeing the ball well today,” said Kennedy. “I just kept swinging the bat.”
The Saints take on South Florida in a double-header Saturday, continuing the home stand.

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