![Saints Split Day Two of JUCO Kickoff](/sports/sball/2023-24/photos/0001/05_Softball_Alexis_Daphney_022224.jpg)
Saints Split Day Two of JUCO Kickoff
Santa Fe returned to Madeira Beach, Florida for games three and four of the season and the JUCO Kickoff Classic. The Saints took on St. John River State College and Walters State Community College Saturday afternoon into the evening.
Madeira Beach, FL
Santa Fe (0-3) falls in game one of the day to St. John River State College (2-1) 9-7. St. John River scored six runs to open the first three and a half innings before SF scratched one across in the home half of the fourth inning. The Saints then put a four spot up in the sixth inning making it 6-7 after six innings. With Santa Fe grabbing the momentum, St. John River hit a three-run homerun to take a 9-6 lead headed into the final half inning. The Saints were able to score two more runs but could not complete the comeback against the preseason #1 ranked Division Two team in the nation.
The Saints went to Alexis Daphney for her first appearance in the 2025 season. Daphney went 3.2 innings allowing three hits, five runs (one earned), walking four, and striking out two batters. Ryleigh Bennett was handed the ball in the fourth inning as she went the rest of the game. Bennett received the loss going 3.1 innings allowing four hits, four earned, walking one, and striking one out.
Three Saints had multi-hit games including Brooke Markiewicz (2-5), Karris Rhine (2-4), and Cam VanGalder (2-4). Rhine hit the first homerun of the 2025 season for Santa Fe. Markiewicz added two RBI to her multi-hit game, while Rhine scored two runs.
In game two of the day and the weekend's final game, Santa Fe (1-3) knocked off Walters State Community College (3-1) 8-3. The Saints were the visiting team on the scoreboard in the neutral site game, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Walters State then scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the first taking their only lead of the game. That lead stuck until the top of the fourth inning when SF put up a two-spot. The Saints followed that with two in the sixth and two in the seventh inning.
The Saints led on their eleven hits throughout the ball game to extend the lead, including McKenzie Jewell's first homerun in a Santa Fe jersey. Madison Conway led at the dish going 3-5 scoring a run and driving in four runs. Markiewicz had another good game at the plate going 2-4 with a walk and scoring three runs.
The Saints looked to Ryleigh Bauer in the circle to start and finish game four of the weekend. The Sophomore threw a complete game. Bauer allowed just five hits while striking out eight. After the first inning, Bauer was able to settle in and shutout Walters State for the final six innings.
Santa Fe is back in action on Thursday at home versus St. John River State College in Gainesville. The double-header will kick off at 1:00 PM.