OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Patriots’ six-game winning streak came to an end with a 9-7 loss to the Santa Fe College Saints on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the second game of the twin bill. CF was still able to win the series two games to one with a win on Thursday in Gainesville 8-4 and a 5-4 win in game one on Saturday. CF currently sits in third place in the Citrus conference with an 8-4 record and 14-12 overall.
In Thursday’s 8-4 win the Pats scored two runs in the eighth and ninth innings to pull away from the Saints and secure the road win. Richard Bello (4-1) earned the win in relief, going two innings allowing only one hit, no runs with four strikeouts. Jose Paniagua pitched the ninth for his third save. Balint Piros had two hits and three RBIs while Tanner Swank had three hits including two doubles.
In Saturday’s first game the Pats held off a late rally by Santa Fe and won 5-4. Kaiden Lopez (2-0) was excellent on the mound once again going six innings allowing only two hits, one run with five strikeouts. Paniagua notched his fourth save when he closed the door in the ninth inning. The offense was led by Jose Correa who tripled and had three RBIs for the game. Gio Mendoza had a clutch RBI single.
In game two on Saturday the teams combined for thirty hits, but it was the Saints who came out on top 9-7. The big hit for the Saints was by JP Espinosa with his first homerun of the season. Both Espinosa and Wyatt Tesar contributed three RBI for Santa Fe. Correa stayed hot for the Pats with his fourth homerun of the season. Victor Martinez had three hits with Talan Beckford and Cal Johnson with two hits apiece. Peyton Fall threw well in relief, going 3.1 innings, five hits, no runs, no walks with four strikeouts. Colson Altman went two shutout innings allowing only one hit and striking out three.
CF plays Florida State College-Jacksonville on Tuesday March 10 at 3:00 PM in a non-conference game at Goodlett Field in Ocala. All CF home games are free to the public.