Pats Defeat State College of Florida 5-3 and 9-8

Photo: Heidi Kearney
Photo: Heidi Kearney

The Patriots took care of busness on Saturday vs State College of Florida to improve to 14-2 in Citrsu Conference play. 

Game 1: CF 5 - SCF 3

The Patriots took an early lead, as they have done many times this season, by scoring four runs in the first. All four runs came with two outs in the inning. Caitlin Blankenship hit a double to score Megan Loftis and Madison VanAllen to get the Pats on the board. Emma Rogel then singled to score Blankenship and Rogel ended up coming all the way around the bases to score on the play after an error on the Mantee's right fielder to make it 4-0. The Pats added another run on a Blankeship solo home run, her 6th HR of the year. Haley Guffey have the Patriots another solid start for her 9th win of the year. She threw complete-game 7 innings, striking out 6 and giving up 9 hits. 

Game 2: CF 9 - SCF 8

Game two was not as easy for the Lady Pats as they went back and forth early in the game and were down 8-4 in the 6th. CF came all the way back by scoring two runs in the 6th and three in the 7th to walk off the Manatees. In the 7th, Bailee Holmes reached on an error and Raegan Geiger homered to center to tie the game at 8 a piece. Megan Loftis drew a walk to bring up the Pats RBI leader Leah Clark. Loftis stole second and advanced to third on an error before Clark hit a game winning single to left to score Loftis. Amber Daugherty had a solid game for the Pats offense going 2-4 with 4 RBI. CF pitcher Carly Allen came in releif of Zoey Mills who was chased out of the game in the first inning after giving up three runs. Allen threw five innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three and walking only one. Madison VanAllen, earned the win, throwing an inning and two-thirds. She allowed two runs on hit hit and struck out one batter and walked one. 

The Pats stay tied for first in the Citrus Conference at 14-2 and 27-3 overall. Their next games will be on Tuesday, March 19th on the road at Daytona State. First pitch for the doubleheader will be at 2 PM.