Winter Haven, FL - On Saturday afternoon, the #14 ranked Santa Fe Saints traveled to Winter Haven to face off in a doubleheader against the Polk State College Eagles. The Saints won by run rule in Game 1 11-2 with the help of a four-run grand slam by DP Cloey O'Doniel. The Saints also run ruled the Eagles and shut them out in Game 2, winning with a final score of 9-0. Their record progresses to 29-12.

How It Happened

Game 1

Mallory Forrester had a big day pitching for the Saints. She started on the mound for the Saints and pitched 5.1 innings with only four hits, one run, and nine strikeouts. Cloey O'Doniel was the big story at the plate in Game 1, as she helped the Saints cruise past the Eagles with a grand slam in the fifth inning. Sydney Fowler hit a home run in the second inning. Ariana Wright also had a big day offensively. She was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.  

The starting pitcher for the Eagles was Jamie Reinhardt, who pitching the full six innings. She had nine hits and zero strikeouts. At the plate, the Eagles were led by shortstop Nayeli Hernandez, who went 2-for-3 with one RBI.

The Eagles put the first run on the board in the first inning when Hernandez doubled on a line drive to left field to score Natalie Hiles. The Saints scored their first run in the second inning when Aliana Mercado doubled on a fly ball to center field to score Juliann Smith.

From that point on it was all Saints, as they would go on to score the next 10 runs and keep the Eagles to only one run. Saints win 11-1.

Game 2

The Saints also displayed outstanding pitching in Game 2. Ryleigh Bauer started in the circle for the Saints and earned the win and shutout. She pitched for the entire five innings and recorded four strikeouts. Aliana Mercado was the outstanding hitter for the Saints, as she went 2-for-3 with one home run and two RBIs. Jayla Clark also helped to lead the Saints offensively, going 2-for-3 with one walk at the plate.  

The starting pitcher for the Eagles was Donnea Allen, who pitched all five innings. She allowed seven hits, nine runs, and had four strikeouts.

The Saints had a huge fourth inning as they would score a total of seven runs. The Eagles helped the Saints by recording four errors.

Santa Fe would go on to score another two runs in the fifth inning and end the game via run rule. The final score was 9-0 Saints.

Up Next

On Sunday, April 7th, the Saints will host the Eastern Florida State College Titans at home. The first pitches will be thrown at 2:00PM and 4:00PM EDT.