NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – Dylan Mock belted a go-ahead, three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning, and Santa Fe baseball won its seventh consecutive game on Friday afternoon, defeating Pasco-Hernando State College 4-3 in nonconference play.

The win was the Saints' 14th in the last 15 outings, and the second time this season that Santa Fe edged the Bobcats by a single run.

SF scored first in the opening inning. Jonathan Logsdon had a one-out triple, then touched home after a fielder's choice from Nick Herndon.

Pasco-Hernando took  a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third, scoring two unearned runs off starter Brooks Walton.

The Bobcats took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth, stringing together back-to-back two-out hits.

Pasco-Hernando maintained that advantage until the Saints' final at-bats in the ninth. Coy Phillips had a one-out single, and Herndon followed him with a single of his own, bringing Mock to the plate. On a 2-2 pitch, Mock connected to the opposite field, emptying the bases and putting SF in front, 4-3.

Tyler Shelnut entered in the ninth inning to pitch. After the Bobcats had a one-out single, the next batter's count went to 2-2. Shelnut made him swing and miss while the baserunner attempted to steal, and the batter was then called for interference to conclude the game.

Key Statistics

Santa Fe finished the game with nine hits, led by two apiece from both Mock and Bret Madren. Mock's go-ahead home run was his third to clear the fence this season. Herndon had an RBI and run scored, while Logsdon legged out a triple.

On the mound, Walton's final line included five innings pitched, two hits, two unearned runs, a walk, and three strikeouts. Robb Adams relieved Walton for the sixth and seventh, allowing just one run while striking out three. Dillon Walters' scoreless eight inning earned him his second win of the season, while Shelnut's save was his NJCAA Division I leading ninth on the year.  

Wiggs' Words

"Mock put a great swing on it there in the ninth with a big opposite field home run," said Head Coach Johnny Wiggs. "We hit a lot of balls hard throughout the game but couldn't get a lot to fall. I was really happy with the way Walton threw the ball. He is getting back to his old self and getting his endurance back after a short layoff. We are looking forward to getting back into conference play Sunday."

Up Next

Santa Fe (21-8, 10-1 MFC) returns to conference play with a game at Daytona State College on Sunday, March 28. The first pitch is 1:00 p.m.