TIFTON, Ga. – Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College hosted No. 16 Santa Fe Baseball for the conclusion of the previously suspended game on Friday, 2/18, and the Saints held on for the 7-4 victory before then taking a second game by a 10-7 score.

The day was highlighted by Gabriel Esquivel's performance in the batting lineup in the day's finale, as he hit for the cycle to help lead the Saints' offense.

Game 1 – #16 SF 7, ABAC 4

From the play on Friday, Feb. 18 as played on the SF Baseball Field, the Saints led 7-4 headed to the bottom of the eighth.

In the bottom of the first, Dylan Mock had an RBI single to open the game's scoring.

After ABAC tied the game at 1-1 in the second off starter Trent Becker, the Saints quickly went ahead 2-1. A sacrifice fly from JP Herrholz scored Jacob Guthrie, who had led off the bottom of the second with a double.  

SF's lead grew to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth after a triple from Guthrie and sacrifice fly from Zeb Marquis. Herrholz cleared the fence for his first home run of the season in the ensuing at-bat.

The Saints took advantage of an error in the bottom of the sixth to go ahead 5-1, then 7-1 with two runs in the seventh on a Zeb Marquis two-run home run.

It looked as if the Saints would cruise to the win, but ABAC plated three runs in their at-bats in the eighth to prolong the result and extend play to Monday at ABAC.

On Monday in Tifton, one out had been recorded in the top of the ninth with SF leading 7-4 when the Stallions loaded the bases.

Jake Blair entered to pitch, and shut the door to earn the save with back-to-back swinging strikeouts.

Key Statistics

It was Blair's first save of the season, as he helped preserve the win for starter Trent Becker. Becker moved to 3-0 with yet another solid outing. In his six innings of work on Friday, he scattered nine hits, allowing just one ABAC run while striking out five.

Guthrie had a double and triple, while Herrholz and Z. Marquis each had their first home runs of the year.

Game 2 – #16 SF 10, ABAC 7

SF once again struck first, going in front 1-0 in the opening frame. Jevin Relaford singled to lead off, stole second, then moved to third on a wild pitch. Tyler Shelnut then put the ball in play for an RBI groundout.

After ABAC tied it at 1-1 in the second, the Saints went in front 3-1 on a two-run bomb from Gabriel Esquivel, his seventh of the season.

The Stallions were actually able to go in front 4-3 after four innings of play, but the Saints had a huge fifth inning with five runs produced. SF batted through the order in the inning that consisted of two walks, two hit batters, and three hits.

ABAC brought the score to 8-7 with two runs in the seventh and a single tally in the eighth, but the Saints brought across the final two insurance runs needed in the ninth. Esquivel completed his cycle with an RBI triple to bring home Shelnut, then Herrholz brought him around for the game's final score.

Key Statistics

Wyatt Campbell had a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth to pick up his second save, striking out two.

Tobin Moran was the winning pitcher after his performance from the fourth inning through the eighth, relieving Blair.

SF had 11 hits and ten walks in the game, as the offense continued to produce.

The heart of the order did most of the damage, with Shelnut going 2-of-4 with an RBI, walk, double, and three runs scored. Esquivel batted third and went for his impressive cycle, going 4-of-5 with a walk, two runs scored, and three RBI. His home run was his seventh of the season, which ranks No. 3 in the NJCAA.

Herrholz finished 2-of-4 with a double, three RBI and two walks.

Up Next

No. 16 Santa Fe (10-6) has now won three straight, and hosts Polk State College at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23.