The Saints came from behind to tie the score in late innings of both games, but the Patriots pulled out two wins in the Mid-Florida Conference doubleheader held in Ocala Tuesday afternoon.

In game one, Gabi Mathre of the Saints and Kelsie Rivers of the Patriots were locked up in a pitcher's duel with CF holding a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning when Cameron Trehy tied the score at 2-2 with her fourth homerun of the year. The Patriots scored the go ahead and eventual winning run in the bottom of the sixth on four base on balls.

"The girls competed well in the first game," said SF head coach Lindsay Fico. "I'm proud of how we were able to stay calm and focused in a tight game against a very good team."

The Patriots (27-7, 4-0 MFC) took an early 3-0 lead in game two, but the Saints rallied back in the fifth to tie the score at 3-3.

Tihana Zupanic started the comeback with a base-on-balls and moved to second on a single by Karina Ortiz-Munoz. One out later Trehy once again came through with a big hit, singling in both runners. With two outs Jolie Watson singled home pinch runner Melodie Perez to tie the score.

CF closed out the game with three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to take the 8-3 decision.

"We out hit them in game two, but they managed to get the big hits when they needed them and we didn't," said Fico. "Our pitchers still need to work on limiting walks and extending their innings."

The Saints outhit the Patriots 16-12 on the day but stranded 14 runners on base.

Ortiz-Munoz had four hits on the day for the Saints while Watson and Donnie Gobourne each had three.

SF (13-17, 1-3 MFC) will travel to Leesburg on Thursday to take on Lake Sumter State College in a doubleheader with the first pitch of game one scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

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

-GO SAINTS-