No trouble for Raiders in playoff opener

Santa Fe's J’lyn Guyden slides safely under a tag for a two-run fourth inning double against Astronaut in the fourth inning in the Class 3A-Region 2 Quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Santa Fe's J’lyn Guyden slides safely under a tag for a two-run fourth inning double against Astronaut in the fourth inning in the Class 3A-Region 2 Quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Photo by C.J. Gish

The Santa Fe Raiders softball team was happy to be home for their 3A playoff opener against Astronaut (Titusville).

They can thank their ace pitcher sophomore Sarah Burns for her performance in the circle on Wednesday night.

Burns allowed four hits and one unearned run with five strikeouts and junior J’lyn Guyden had three hits and four RBI as host second seed Santa Fe defeated No. 7 seed Astronaut 7-1 in a Region 2-3A Quarterfinal.

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Santa Fe's Sarah Burns allowed four hits and one unearned run with five strikeouts in a Region 1-3A Quarterfinal win over Astronaut on Wednesday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Santa Fe’s Sarah Burns allowed four hits and one unearned run with five strikeouts in a Region 1-3A Quarterfinal win over Astronaut on Wednesday.

As the second seed in Region 2, Santa Fe will once again be home for the regional semifinal round on Tuesday night. The Raiders (22-4) will welcome sixth-seeded Trinity Prep (Winter Park), who knocked off third-seeded Trinity Catholic (Ocala), 4-2, in eight innings.

Against Astronaut, Santa Fe got off to a quick start in the opening inning. After senior Amy Crosby led off with a walk, Maren Hornsby singled with one out and the Raiders had runners on second and third.

Guyden delivered her first single of the game up the middle into center field to give Santa Fe an early 2-0 lead.

The second inning was more of the same for Santa Fe. Regan Saucier reached on an error and Breleigh Ford was walked, and Crosby drove in a run with a single to make it 3-0. Gracie Mattson then made it 4-0 on a sacrifice fly, and Hornsby brought in Crosby on a groundout and the Raiders were in control with a 5-0 lead.

The lone senior for Santa Fe, Crosby enjoys setting the table for the Raiders offense.

Santa Fe's Amy Crosby lays down a bunt against Astronaut in the Region 1-3A Quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Photo by C.J. Gish Santa Fe’s Amy Crosby lays down a bunt against Astronaut in the Region 1-3A Quarterfinals on Wednesday.

“I may be a little cocky on base, but that’s my favorite thing to do,” Crosby said.

“As the only senior, I enjoy being in that role and love playing with these girls,” Crosby added. “This is a very talented group and I think we can make a long playoff run.”

Santa Fe only scored two more runs the rest of the game, as Guyden had another two-run single in the fourth to make it 7-0. But that was more than enough for Burns, who allowed only one hit through the first five innings, She lost the shutout with two outs in the seventh as Astronaut (14-9) scored an unearned run.

“She (Burns) stays focused, she uses all her pitches very well,” Santa Fe coach Gene Findley said. “As long as she does that and we play good defense and hit the ball like we did tonight, we should be in good shape.”

FHSAA SOFTBALL – SCORES

Wednesday, May 8

Class 3A-Region 1 Quarterfinals

2 Episcopal (Jacksonville) 10, 7 Keystone Heights 0 (6)

3 West Nassau (Callahan) 6, 6 Suwannee (Live Oak) 2

Class 3A-Region 2 Quarterfinals

2 Santa Fe (Alachua) 7, 7 Astronaut (Titusville) 1

Class 2A-Region 1 Quarterfinals

2 Providence (Jacksonville) 16, 7 Countryside Christian 5 (5)

FHSAA BASEBALL – SCORES

Wednesday, May 8

Class 2A-Region 1 Quarterfinals

1 St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park) 8, 8 St. Francis Catholic Academy 1

4 University Christian (Jacksonville) 6, 5 Oak Hall 5

Class 3A-Region 1 Quarterfinals

1 Pensacola Catholic 5, 8 Keystone Heights 2

Class 4A-Region 1

1 Arnold (Panama City Beach) 4, 8 Santa Fe (Alachua) 3

4 Wakulla (Crawfordville) 6, 5 Suwannee (Live Oak) 5

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