Posted: Mar 08, 2025
FORT MYERS, Fla.- It took a late game comeback in game one and a shutout in the circle in game two, but the #1 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers earned two more hard fought Citrus Conference wins on Saturday at Buccaneers Park in Fort Myers, defeating Santa Fe 3-2 in game one of the doubleheader and 3-0 in game two to improve to a perfect 24-0 on the year.
Santa Fe came out ready to go against the top ranked Bucs, turning a leadoff walk into a run in the top of the 1st to jump in front of FSW 1-0 after a half inning of play.
FSW starter Leah Meyer kept the game right there through four, stranding runners in the 2nd and 4th, but the Bucs offense couldn't get anything going and it remained a 1-0 game as the teams swiftly moved to the 5th.
A two out rally from the Saints in the 5th netted them their second run to double the lead to 2-0.
FSW had their best scoring chance in the first five innings in the bottom of the 5th as Lizzy Kwakernaak shot a one out triple to right and a catcher's interference call put runners on the corners for the Bucs with two outs. A stolen base put the tying runs in scoring position, but a bunt attempt was unsuccessful and ended the inning with two ducks still left on the pond and Santa Fe leading 2-0.
The Bucs finally broke through int he 6th as Emily Allegood ripped a leadoff single through the left side and moved to third on a one out double from Virginia Mambelli to once again put two in scoring position for the Purple and Aqua. This time they came through though as Nicole Edmiaston lined a single back up the middle to drive both runs home and tie the score at 2 after six complete innings of action.
Santa Fe put their leadoff man on in the 7th but Meyer worked around it and stranded the runner at inning's end to keep it a 2-2 game to stretch time.
Kwakernaak led off the FSW 7th with a walk and moved to second on a successful bunt from Faith Wharton. A sacrifice bunt from K'Mari Williams pushed the runners into scoring position and Noelani Livingstone played the hero with a sac fly to left center to bring home Kwakernaak and win it for the Bucs 3-2 in a walk off.
The Saints outhit the Bucs 8-5 in the contest and the 13 hits in the game came from 13 different players. Meyer earned the win for FSW in the circle, going the distance and scattering eight hits and allowing just two runs while striking out seven to improve to 7-0 on the year.
It was the Bucs striking first in game two as Livingstone walked to start the bottom of the 1st and came around to score on a single the other way from Mambelli to give FSW an early 1-0 lead.
Santa Fe had a chance to answer right away as they loaded the bases with two outs in the 2nd, but a pop out down the left field line ended the threat and the inning to keep the Bucs in front 1-0.
The Bucs doubled their lead in the 2nd as Faith Wharton smacked a two out RBI double to center to make it 2-0 FSW.
FSW starter Lizzy Kwakernaak retired all 12 hitters she faced from the 3rd to the 6th to keep the Bucs head 2-0 and FSW added to their lead in the bottom of the 6th when Mambelli and Edmiaston continued their big days with Mambelli ripping a leadoff double and Edmiaston knocking her in with a single up the middle to make it 3-0 FSW.
Santa Fe made some noise in the 7th, putting two on with two out and bringing the tying run to the plate, but Kwakernaak dialed up her seventh strikeout of the game to get out of the jam and finish off the game as the Bucs took game two 3-0 to complete the sweep.
Kwakernaak delivered a complete game shutout in her first career start. She allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out seven to improve to 3-0 on the year. Edmiaston led the offense for the second straight game, going 3-3 with an RBI and a run scored while Mambelli had two hits including a double and an RBI.
The Bucs win their 24th straight to begin the year to improve to 24-0 overall and 10-0 in Citrus Conference play. Santa Fe falls to 15-12 overall and 5-7 in league action.
FSW is back in action on Tuesday at home at Buccaneers Park when they host #7 Miami Dade in another big Citrus Conference doubleheader beginning at 2 PM.
