ALACHUA — No. 12 Santa Fe softball avenged a prior loss against No. 11 Trenton with a hard-fought 3-2 win Tuesday night.
The Raiders (17-2) secured the win after falling 4-3 in nine innings at Trenton (15-3) on March 24.
Trenton’s bats got off to a hot start in the first inning. Raiders pitcher Ryleigh Davis surrendered a walk to UF commit Addison Allaire. Designated hitter MacKenzie Fisher then launched a RBI double to left field to put the Tigers up 1-0.
In the second, Davis surrendered her second walk before outfielder Addilynn Welbers ripped a double to center field to drive in Trenton’s last run and a 2-0 lead.
Despite getting off to a rocky start, Davis managed to bounce back after sharing a few words with standout freshman pitcher Rylee Swilley, who hasn’t touched the diamond in two weeks because of a low-grade MCL sprain.
“She just told me, I got this, and to go show them what I can do,” Davis said. “And she gave me a handshake and a hug, and I think it just meant a lot. Having her in my corner, even if she’s hurt or not, I think that’s like a big confidence booster for me.”
The Raiders responded in the bottom of the inning with a two-run home run from catcher Ainslea Kelsoe to tie the game 2-2. Kelsoe knew that her team needed her to deliver.
“We came to the huddle and we were like, we’re still in this inning,” Kelsoe said. “I was just like, OK, this is my time. I have a chance and I got up there and did it.”
The teams remained neck-and-neck until the sixth.
Santa Fe right fielder Corie Wheeler reached first base on a drop-third strike to give the Raiders momentum. Senior left fielder Chloe Cason then connected for the game-winning double to bring Wheeler home for the 3-2 lead.
“I was just trying to be confident, and I knew that if I didn’t execute, my team would have my back,” Cason said. “It felt amazing to actually get a hit.”
Santa Fe’s defense delivered in the final inning and Davis went to work in the circle with a strikeout to secure the victory.
“She [Davis] did a great job tonight,” Raiders coach Gene Findley said. “I mean she works hard too. She spends a lot of extra time working on pitching, and, tonight, it showed off for her.”
Findley praised his team after the statement win. He touched on how the bond shared among his players has been a game-changer this season.
“For them as a team, chemistry has been very large for their success at this point. As long as we keep it that way, we’ll get runs coming up, “ Findley said.
Santa Fe will travel to Branford (14-6) on Thursday for a 7 p.m. game.
