Fastpitch Opens in Clearwater on Jan. 29, at Home Feb. 4
January 29, 2011
January 28, 2011 Contact: Scott Jamison 352-395-5616 scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu
SF FASTPITCH
SANTA FE TRAVELS TO CLEARWATER FOR SEASON OPENER ON JAN. 29
Gainesville, FL – The preseason NJCAA nationally ranked #10 and six time defending Mid-Florida Conference champion Santa Fe Saints begin their 2011 campaign on Saturday, January 29 when they travel to Clearwater for the JUCO Kickoff Classic. The Saints battle Stanly CC (NC) in game one at 11:00am, play Polk State College at 1:00pm and finish up against Hillsborough CC at 5:00pm.
The first home game for Santa Fe is Friday, February 4 against St. Petersburg College in a double header scheduled to start at 2:00pm.
The Saints return both starting pitchers from last year's team and five position players.
All-American Colesa Lazar headlines the returnees having finished last year with a school record 279 strikeouts. She concluded 2010 with a 26-4 record in 200.1 innings pitched with a 1.26 ERA and four no hitters, including a perfect game. Another 20 game winner, Jasmine Warren, also returns to give Santa Fe a second ace pitcher. She finished last year with a 20-4 record and 100 strikeouts in 143 innings pitched and a 1.03 ERA.
Also returning are their two battery mates, catchers Ashley Curry and Venica Brown. Curry played in 34 games and hit .390 with nine doubles, 16 RBI, 15 runs and one homerun. Brown saw action in 31 contests and hit .259 with six doubles, 13 RBI, 13 runs and three homeruns.
Three of the four starting infielders from a year ago return to add even more stability to a veteran team. Third baseman Gia Tomossone, the team's leading power hitter, is back to man the hot corner for SF. In 2010 she hit a team high 12 homeruns to go with 51 RBI and 14 doubles.
Second baseman Jaimee Vega started every game last year and hit .318 with 10 doubles, two homeruns, 23 RBI and 38 runs scored. First baseman Colesa Lazar had a .338 batting average, six doubles, three homeruns, 32 RBI and 18 runs.
Twelve freshman round out the rest of the roster: OF Colleen Leebove (Interlachen, FL), 1B/OF Nicole Day (Belleview, FL), INF Lindsey Fisher (Alachua, FL), INF Lindsey Hamlin (Mayo, FL), OF Brittney Mayhill (New Port Richey, FL), INF/OF Bianca Torres (Kissimmee, FL), 1B/3B Jessica Threadgill (Tampa, FL), SS Ashley Holton (Macclenney, FL), P/1B Erika Garcia (Pembroke Pines, FL), 1B Alaysia Miller (Winter Haven, FL), 1B Kaylin Gulick (Ocala, FL) and P/1B Stephanie Cameron (Ocala, FL)
"We have some new talent that will hopefully help fill the big shoes left by the graduating players," said Coach Chris Ahern. "This team has a nice blend of power and speed. There is depth at each position, and we are anticipating that they'll have the chemistry necessary for a successful season."
For complete schedules and more information on Saints Fastpitch, please visit santafesaints.com. To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe College Athletics on Facebook.
-30-
