Santa Fe hangs on to sweep season series from Gainesville

Santa Fe's Ryleigh Davis (21) with a second-inning pitch against Gainesville. Photo by C.J. Gish 3 (1)
Santa Fe's Ryleigh Davis (21) with a second-inning pitch against Gainesville.
Photo by C.J. Gish

Santa Fe jumped out to a huge lead on Thursday and held on to beat Gainesville, 9-7, at Boulware Ballpark.

The Raiders (15-1) won their 10th game in a row and swept the season series from the rival Hurricanes, after winning the first meeting 7-6 in Alachua on Feb. 27.

This game was similar to the first meeting, with Santa Fe jumping out to a lead and holding off Gainesville late.

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Gainesville coach Chris Chronister talks things over with Braylin Cook (27) against Santa Fe. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Gainesville coach Chris Chronister talks things over with Braylin Cook (27) against Santa Fe.

Santa Fe scored three runs in the first inning against Gainesville starting pitcher McKenna O’Sullivan (8-4).

Maren Hornsby led off with a single, then stole second. With one out, senior J’lyn Guyden came through with a single to center for a 1-0 Raiders lead. Ainslea Kelsoe then doubled to put runners at second and third with one out, and Madolyn Jablonski hit a sacrifice fly to left for a 2-0 advantage. Breleigh Ford then brought in courtesy runner Catie Bell with another single to center for a 3-0 lead.

“They (GHS) always have good bats, and they come to battle with us,” Guyden said. “It’s a big rivalry, and I feel like we battled as a team and kept our composure late when they got back in the game.”

Gainesville got a run back in the bottom of the first to cut the deficit to 3-1. But Santa Fe came right back with a huge second inning.

The Raiders scored five runs on five hits in the second as Guyden and Kelsoe added back-to-back two-run singles, and Ford added another RBI single for an 8-1 Santa Fe lead.

Gainesville's Lana Renicks (15) and Madisyn Gillins (10) collide after going for a pop-up in the fourth inning against Santa Fe. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Gainesville’s Lana Renicks (15) and Madisyn Gillins (10) collide after going for a pop-up in the fourth inning against Santa Fe.

“It’s good to know there are a lot of good options behind me in the order,” Guyden said. “It does take a lot of pressure off you, and everyone can hit.”

O’Sullivan settled down after the second and held Santa Fe to only one run the rest of the game.

Gainesville put together a five-run fifth inning to close the gap to 8-7. Three hits, two walks, and two Santa Fe errors led to the frame. Adriana Koralewski, Lili Overstreet, and Lana Renicks drove in runs for the Hurricanes (10-7).

But Santa Fe senior pitcher Makenna Payne replaced freshman starter Ryleigh Davis and shut down Gainesville for the rest of the game.

“We did a good job of keeping our heads in the game and staying focused,” Gainesville coach Chris Chronister said. “We put ourselves in position to make it a game and compete and try to get the win. They are a good team and we are a good team.”

Santa Fe's Breleigh Ford (3) slides safely into third base ahead of a tag by Gainesville's Braylin Cook (27). Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Santa Fe’s Breleigh Ford (3) slides safely into third base ahead of a tag by Gainesville’s Braylin Cook (27).
Gainesville catcher Roxanne Walsh catches a pop-up bunt by Santa Fe's Reagan Saucier for an out. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Gainesville catcher Roxanne Walsh catches a pop-up bunt by Santa Fe’s Reagan Saucier for an out.
Gainesville's Josie Kirwan (13) outruns the throw to first base in the second inning against Santa Fe. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Gainesville’s Josie Kirwan (13) outruns the throw to first base in the second inning against Santa Fe.
Gainesville's McKenna O’Sullivan (51) with a first-inning against Santa Fe.
Photo by C.J. Gish Gainesville’s McKenna O’Sullivan (51) with a first-inning pitch against Santa Fe.
Santa Fe coach Gene Findley talks to pitcher Ryleigh Davis (21) and catcher Ainslea Kelsoe (18) in a game against Gainesville. Photo by C.J. Gish
Photo by C.J. Gish Santa Fe coach Gene Findley talks to pitcher Ryleigh Davis (21) and catcher Ainslea Kelsoe (18) in a game against Gainesville.

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