Saints Rally in the Ninth for Win Over CFCC, 4-3
April 10, 2010
For Immediate Release April 10, 2010 Contact: Scott Jamison 352-395-5616 scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu
SF BASEBALL
SAINTS RALLY IN THE NINTH FOR WIN OVER CFCC, 4-3
Ocala, FL – The Santa Fe offense was stifled for most of the day with runners in scoring position, but came through when it mattered, scoring two in the top of the ninth to overcome a 3-2 deficit to pick up another Mid-Florida Conference win over rival Central Florida CC (24-17, 9-9 MFC). The Saints currently hold a two game lead over St. John's (10-8 MFC) and three games over CFCC, Daytona and Seminole, all 9-9.
Gary Merians pitched all nine innings for Santa Fe (21-13, 12-6 MFC), turning in his twelfth quality start of the season. He scattered nine hits and gave up three earned runs, striking out six.
The Saints had early scoring opportunities but failed to cash in, leaving a runner on third in the first inning and the bases loaded in the second.
The Patriots scored one run in the first inning and another in the second. Left fielder Jardian Thomas kept the deficit at two when he threw out a CF runner trying to score from second on a single with two outs in the second inning.
In the third inning, the Patriots helped SF out, committing three errors on one play, leading to the first two Santa Fe runs.
With TJ Spina on first, Mike Miranda hit a one hopper to the pitcher who turned and threw it over the first baseman's head. The CFCC right fielder over threw the catcher, allowing Spina to score and the catcher, trying to throw Miranda out at third, threw the ball into left field, allowing Miranda to score.
Both teams went scoreless over the next two innings, but in the sixth, CFCC first baseman Hunter Smith broke the 2-2 tie with a homerun to right.
The Saints went into the top of the ninth trailing 3-2. Spina led the inning off with a single, Jeff Moyer walked and Miranda singled up the middle to send Spina home with the tying run. With one out, Ricky Claudio hit a fly ball to right field and Moyer tagged from third, and slid under the tag of the catcher to give SF the 4-3 lead.
The Patriots had no plans of giving in and started the bottom of the ninth with a single off of Merians. With one out and a runner at first, Jordan Zech doubled down the left field line. Jardian Thomas chased the ball down in the corner, hit the cutoff man, Jeff Moyer, who turned and threw a strike to catcher Brett Bozeman who placed the tag on the Patriots runner just before he touched the plate, cutting down the tying run.
The final batter hit a sharp line drive right into the waiting glove of Austin Lawrence, preserving the win for the Saints.
Spina, Miranda and Bozeman had two hits apiece and Claudio, Lawrence and Moyer had one hit each. Jardian Thomas finished with three outfield assists, one to second base and two that cut down runs at the plate.
The next game for the Saints is a MFC match-up at home against St. John's River CC on Monday at 3:00pm. The Vikings are currently in second place, two games behind Santa Fe in the conference standings.
For more information and a complete schedule, please visit santafesaints.com. Join the Santa Fe College Athletics Facebook Fanpage for game photos, up to date info and more.
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