Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader at South Florida State College
February 13, 2021

Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader at South Florida State College

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AVON PARK, Fla. – Santa Fe baseball moved to a record of 6-5 on the season with a sweep of the doubleheader at South Florida State College. The Saints bats were extremely productive on the day, amassing 31 runs and 26 hits in the twin bill with the Panthers. 
 
GAME 1 – SF 16, SFSC 9  
The Saints scored first after a Luis Rodriguez double brought Armando Albert in to score from first base in the opening inning.
 
Although South Florida State College tied it up at 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning, Santa Fe went ahead 3-1 in the third after a two-run home run from Tyler Shelnut. 
 
The Panthers proceeded to take their first lead of the matchup with a big bottom half of the frame, bringing in five to lead 6-3. 
 
Santa Fe's offense erupted in the fifth inning to seize control with nine runs, however, batting all the way around the order to lead 12-6. The Saints had seven hits in the inning, including two each from Albert and Rodriguez, while also earning three walks and taking advantage of a wild pitch, a passed ball, and a balk. 
 
The damage of South Florida State College's run production in the bottom of the fifth inning to bring the score to 12-9 was minimized by four more insurance runs from Santa Fe in the top half of the seventh.
 
With two baserunners on, Rodriguez cleared the bases with his first home run of the season. Later in the inning, Coy Phillips singled, stole second, and accounted for the game's final tally after an RBI single from Shelnut brought the score to 16-9. 
 
Four different Saints had multi-hit games and there were four extra base hits in the victory, including the long balls from Rodriguez and Shelnut. Rodriguez extended his hitting streak to six games with the big day, going 4-of-5 with two runs scored, the home run, a double, and a career-high five RBI. From the leadoff spot, Albert reached base in all five of his at-bats, going 3-of-3 with a double, five runs scored, two RBI, and two walks. 
 
Shelnut was 2-of-4 with three RBI, the home run, a walk and a run scored, while Gabriel Esquivel also had a productive day at the dish, batting 2-of-4 with a run scored and two RBI. 
 
Shelnut also picked up his first win of the season from the mound, tossing three scoreless innings in relief. His final stat line included just two hits allowed with two strikeouts. 
 
GAME 2 – SF 15, SFSC 4
Santa Fe scored in every inning but the first, as the offense maintained its form from Game 1 in a lopsided victory. 
 
Luke Marquis had an RBI single in the top of the second to score a run, but South Florida tied the game at 1-1 in the Panther's next at-bats off Santa Fe starter Mitchell Gross.
 
The Saints broke the game open with nine runs in the third inning. For the second time in the doubleheader, the Saints batted around the order. Marquis had a two-RBI double, then touched home after a two-bagger from Jake McKee in the ensuing at-bat. The rest of the runs came after walks, singles, and some more miscues from the Panthers.
 
The Saints led by a 15-2 margin after their at-bats in the seventh inning, and although the Panthers tacked on two runs in the seventh frame, it was far too little, too late for the hosts.
 
Luke Marquis was one of four Saints with multi-hit performances, going 3-of-4 with a double, three runs scored, three RBI, and a walk. Phillips went 2-of-4 with four RBI and a run scored, while Austin Akey was 2-of-2 with a walk and two runs scored. 
 
Jevin Relaford batted second in the order and finished his day going 2-of-4, with an RBI, walk, and team-high four runs scored. Zeb Marquis added two RBI.
 
Gross picked up his first win of the season in five innings pitched, allowing just one run on six hits and one walk while striking out a career-high seven batters. Michael Rodriguez and Lance Bolton threw an inning apiece to conclude the game, respectively. 
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Up Next
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will visit the SF Baseball Field on Wednesday, Feb. 17 for a 3:00 p.m. matchup with the Saints.