January 30, 2015

Tampa, FL – The Santa Fe Saints were in mid-season form on opening day Friday afternoon in Tampa, defeating the Hawks of Hillsborough CC 8-0.

"It was a great job by our entire team," said SF Coach Johnny Wiggs.  "We had great energy and really played well. Goss and Watson were outstanding on the mound and we came up with the big inning in the 9th."

Austin Goss started on the hill and was stellar, tossing five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out six to earn the Saints (1-0) their first win. Sophomore transfer Tom Watson pitched the final four innings to earn the save (1), striking out five.  The two pitchers combined to allow just five hits and needed just 116 pitches between them.

The Saints offense got on the board right out of the gates on a RBI single by shortstop Jared Shouppe for the 1-0 lead.  In the second they added a run on a passed ball for the 2-0 advantage.

From there it was a pitcher's duel until the ninth inning when Santa Fe exploded for six runs on five hits, highlights by a two RBI triple from Jared Shouppe and a pinch hit RBI double by Hugo Valdes.

Shouppe finished the day 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored, catcher Matt Allen was 3-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored, first baseman Cliff Bryant was 2-for-5, third baseman Chipper Andzel was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and second baseman Tyler Kinney 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI.

The Saints will play their home opener on Saturday, January 31 in double header action against South Georgia State College starting at noon.  Admission is free to all home baseball games.

For complete schedules, stats, and more information on Saints Athletics please visit www.santafesaints.com.  To see game photos and other updates, follow Santa Fe College Athletics on Facebook.

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