Jacksonville, AL

#11 Sante Fe (48-16, 28-12, 3-1) faced a familiar opponent in #9 Eastern Florida (45-19, 27-13, 2-2) in an elimination game in the NJCAA DI Softball World Series in Jacksonville, Alabama held at Jana McGinnis Field on the campus of Jacksonville State University. The Saints are fresh off of a 4-3 win vs #5 Seminole State (OK). Santa Fe dropped their opening game 4-2 to Odessa College before rattling off wins in back to back days against #14 Gaston College (6-3 in 8 innings) and #5 Seminole State (OK) (4-3). 

The 6th meeting between Santa Fe and Eastern Florida brought unmatched energy from players, coaches, and fans from both teams. The Saints turned in the same lineup card as their game vs Seminole State (OK) as Mancillas entered the circle for the fourth time in as many games in the NJCAA DI Softball World Series. 

The Titans came out swinging as their leadoff hitter singled and another single from the four hitter put both runners in scoring position. The Saints got the next batter to fly out to center as they head to the dugout to take the bats for the first time. 

McKenzie Cox stays hot with her 21st double of the year as she advances to third on a groundout by Haylee McCrea. She then scores on a passed ball to put the Saints ahead 1-0. 

The Titans keep the pressure on the Saints as they load the bases with two outs as a single scores all three runners to put the Titans in front 3-1. 

In the bottom half of the second inning Miranda Murch goes deep to left field over the fence for her 15th home run of the year but that is all that Santa Fe offers in the second inning. Both teams go to the third frame with Eastern Florida ahead 3-2

Mancillas got back in her groove in the top of the fourth allowing no runs, no hits, and no walks to send the Saints up to bat with the top of the order due up. 

Molly Bender singles and McKenzie Cox bunts for a hit that leads to Sydney English loading the bases after an E5 puts her aboard with no outs. McCrea walks to bring Bender home as Miranda Murch hits a flare that lands in between the shortstop, second baseman, and center fielder to score a fourth run for Santa Fe. 

The leadoff reaches on an infield hit for Eastern Florida in the top of the fourth as they load the bases with two outs. A flyout to center ends the fourth inning threat as Santa Fe takes the bats in the bottom of the fourth. 

Molly Bender beats out a ball for an infield hit as McKenzie Cox singles to put the first two Saints on base. Sydney English reaches on an error to load the bases with no outs as the Saints score a pair as an error by the second baseman scores Bender and a hit by pitch scores Cox. The Titans limit Santa Fe to just two runs in the frame as Santa Fe leads 6-3 after four in Jacksonville, Alabama. 

Santa Fe finds themselves on edge in the top of the 5th as Eastern Florida loads the bases again in the inning. A two out hit by pitch scores one but a 6-3 putout ends the inning to keep Santa Fe in the lead 6-4. 

With 8-9-1 due up for the Saints they are sent down in order to hold the score at 6-4. 

Mancillas fires two outs in the 6th inning before Morgyn Stevens takes over in relief and gets the lone batter she faces to ground out to short. 

Sydney English singles with one out in the bottom of the 6th as Laura Pierce enters to pinch run and advances to second on a passed ball but a groundout ends the inning. 

Stevens takes the circle in the top of the 7th and goes 1-2-3 to earn the save and advance Santa Fe to be one of the last six teams standing!

The Saints turn around to face #4 Temple College (Texas) in an elimination game for a right to play as one of the final four teams on Saturday. 

The game will be streamed on the NJCAA Network for free. You can watch here: https://www.njcaa.org/network/landing/index