Walking away with a conference victory on Wednesday was something Santa Fe College baseball coach Johnny Wiggs and his team focused on.
After losing four straight games, the Saints were determined not to start conference play with a loss. They didn't.
SFC (10-11, 1-0 Mid-Florida Conference) defeated St. Johns River Community College 10-0 after a mercy rule ended the game after 6 1/2 innings.
"We talked about letting go of what has happened in non-conference games and reminded them that we are going to look at conference stats," Wiggs said. "That is what we care about, our conference record."
It appeared SFC's starting pitcher, Bobby Bolling, was going to continue the losing streak during the first inning when two Vikings got on base quickly. After catching a runner stealing second and tagging another at home plate, the Saints managed to escape the inning without allowing a run.
"Like I always say, great baseball starts on the mound," Wiggs said. "Bolling has been our most consistent guy, and that's why he started Game 1 of conference play."
The Saints began making their move during the bottom of the fifth, when the entire order came to the plate. SFC had six hits and 6 runs during the inning, pushing their lead to 7-0 and essentially sealing the Vikings' fate.
Freshman catcher Brett Bozeman hit a double in the top of the sixth inning, driving the final 2 runs for the Saints.
After six innings, the Saints led 10-0, and the Vikings had one more opportunity to cut the lead before the game was called. SJRCC was unable to pull together during the top of the seventh inning and ended the game on a strikeout.
"We had errorless baseball, and when you have errorless baseball, you are going to be successful," Wiggs said. "We looked great out there today."
SFC will face SJRCC again on Friday in Palatka at 4 p.m.
