GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The College of Central Florida (CF) Lady Patriots traveled north to Gainesville for a doubleheader against Santa Fe College, looking to bounce back after dropping two games to top-ranked Florida Southwestern. However, the Saints proved too tough, handing CF two more losses.

Game 1: CF 4 – SFC 10

CF jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, thanks to a three-run homer from Amber Daugherty—her first of the season. Santa Fe responded in the second inning with a two-run shot from Olivia LaMeau off Patriot starter Hailey Pyle. The Saints took control in the third with another home run, going up 5-3, and extended their lead in the fifth with a five-run outburst.

The Patriots managed one more run in the sixth when M. McCabe drove in a run with a ground ball to short. CF finished with five hits in the game, led by Daugherty, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.

Pyle took the loss, allowing 10 runs (five earned) on 10 hits while striking out three.

Game 2: CF 3 – SFC 5

Game two ended in heartbreak for the Patriots, who suffered a walk-off loss.

Trailing 2-1 in the seventh, CF rallied to take a 3-2 lead on a clutch triple to right field by Gabrielle Rascher. However, in the bottom of the inning, the Saints capitalized on a costly CF error. The leadoff batter reached on an error by pitcher Kaylee Cline, followed by a single. That set the stage for Madi Conway, who delivered a game-ending, three-run homer to center field.

Morgyn Stevens provided a solid start for CF, pitching 4.1 innings while allowing two runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. Cline took the loss in relief, giving up three runs on two hits in 1.2 innings.

Offensively, the Patriots drew 10 walks but managed only three hits. Leah Clark went 1-for-3 with a run, Daugherty was 1-for-3, and Rascher finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

With the losses, CF falls to 6-8 in conference play and 16-14 overall. The Patriots will look to regroup on Saturday, March 22, when they host reigning national champion Indian River State College. Game one is set for a 12 p.m. start.

More news that matters to you…