Santa Fe College head coach Johnny Wiggs and his Saints baseball team will play host to Pasco-Hernando State College Saturday at 12 noon at the SF baseball field after opening the season at PHSC Friday afternoon.

Wiggs, who begins his 14^th season at SF, said his group is anxious to get the season underway.

"The guys are excited to get started," said Wiggs. "We have a very new team with only six guys that played for us last spring still on the roster. We did bring a few transfers in to give us a little more experience."

Wiggs feels one of this year's strengths will be pitching.

"We feel really good about our starting rotation that features four sophomores and a red shirt freshman," said Wiggs.

That group includes returners Anthony Arguelles (Mid-Florida Conference All Conference) and Brooks Walton who both had good freshman seasons at SF last year and Devin Hemenway who was All Conference in 2018 for the Saints before spending a year at the University of Florida where he was awarded a NCAA Hardship.  Others expected to contribute are transfers Brad Lord and Robb Adams while the bullpen will be anchored by sophomore closer Emanuel Fernandez.

The offense will be led by returners Jonathan Logsdon (INF) Caleb Stafford (C) and transfers JC Lovelace (1B) Luis Rodriguez (INF) and Chase Frady (INF).

The Saints lineup will feature some local talent as well with four players from Gainesville high schools including Walton (Buchholz), Luke Marquis (GHS), Zeb Marquis (GHS) and Chase Demichele (GHS).

Players that have already signed with four-year colleges include Arguelles (University of Miami), Lord (University of South Florida) and Stafford (University of North Florida).

The Saints finished second in the MFC last year and have been to five consecutive State Tournaments, won eight MFC Championships and two State Championships (2009, 2016) in the last 13 years.

Wiggs feels that playing strong fundamentally will lead to another successful season for the Saints.

"For us to be successful we need to be consistent defensively. If we do that, we will have a chance to have a real good year."

For all SF Athletics schedules, stats and more visit santafesaints.com.