Fastpitch Gears Up for NJCAA Region VII/FCSAA State Tournament

April 29, 2013

April 29, 2013
Contact: Scott Jamison
352-395-5616
scott.jamison@sfcollege.edu

SF FASTPITCH

Gainesville, FL – The Mid-Florida Conference champion Santa Fe Saints (37-16, 20-4 MFC) are headed to the NJCAA Region VIII/FCSAA State Tournament in Pensacola on May 3-5 and begin their title quest on Friday, May 3 against Daytona State College at 2:00 PM CST.  Regardless of the outcome, SF will play again later that night at 7:00 PM CST against either Indian River State College or the College of Central Florida.  Atlantic District Bracket

The Saints first round match-up with Daytona will be the team's fifth meeting this season. Santa Fe won the first four games by scores of 5-2, 3-0, 7-2 and 12-4.

"It's always exciting for the team to participate in the State tournament," said SF Coach Chris Ahern.  "They enjoy being back in a tournament environment after playing so many doubleheaders.  We will face some tough competition, beginning with our own conference.  Having played every team in conference four times, we've seen a lot of each other.  So everyone is going to try to be at their best for the fifth time through."

Santa Fe enters the tournament hitting .282 as a team and are holding their opponents to just a .193 average.  First Team All-State selection Karla Claudio leads the way hitting .434 with 12 homeruns and 44 RBI in 51 games.  She recently set a school record for career homeruns with 23.

Claudio also stars in the circle where she has struck out 208 batters in 151 innings to go along with an 18-6 record and a 0.98 ERA.

The tournament is a double elimination format and the winners of the NJCAA Atlantic district and the Gulf District will meet for the FCSAA State Championship.  Both teams will qualify for the National Tournament in St. George, Utah on May 15-18.

The May 3 games can be followed via GameTracker. All games on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 can be watched live via streaming video on www.psblive.com.

Admission prices are $7 per day or $18 for a tournament pass.  Click here for complete tourney info.

All games take place at:
Exchange Park
3200 E. Lakeview Avenue

Pensacola FL 32503

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.

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