Marchu and the Saints Move into First Place with Sweep of CF

March 27, 2012

March 27, 2012 Contact: Scott Jamison 352-395-5616 scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu

SF FASTPITCH

MARCHU AND THE SAINTS MOVE IN TO FIRST PLACE AFTER SWEEP OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

Gainesville, FL – The seven time defending Mid-Florida Conference champion Santa Fe Saints are back in familiar surroundings atop the MFC standings after a two game sweep of rival College of Central Florida Tuesday afternoon. The Saints (21-18, 8-3 MFC) took game one 6-5 on a walk off hit by Bianca Torres and game two 2-0 on a sixth inning homer by Erika Garcia.

Cierra Miller earned the win in the circle game one, pitching in relief of starter Amber Richardson. Shannen Marchu went the distance in game two allowing just three hits to pick up the victory, her second in as many days.

Santa Fe trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the sixth in game one and exploded for four runs one three hits. The first two runs of the inning scored on a fielder's choice and a groundout. Brittney Mayhill delivered the big hit when she lined over the centerfielder's head for a two run double to put SF up 4-1.

Central Florida did not go away and retook the lead in the top of the seventh with four runs.

The Saints needed more late game heroics and got them, coming in the form of a CF error for the tying run and a game winning RBI single by Bianca Torres for the walk off win.

Torres finished game one 3-for-4 with an RBI and Mayhill was 1-for-2 with two RBI and a double.

Game two was a pitcher's duel through the first five and a half innings before SF finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Erika Garcia stepped up to the plate with a runner on second and delivered a deep homerun to give the Saints a 2-0 lead.

Marchu forced a fly out and two ground outs to put the game away in the seventh.

Garcia finished game two 2-for-3 with a homerun and two RBI. Patriot hitters were just 3-for-24 against Marchu.

The first place Saints continue their home stand on Thursday when St. John's River State College makes the trip to Gainesville for a double header scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM.

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-