Santa Fe College softball is rewriting the record books, and they're not done yet. After a breakout regular season that saw the Saints notch their first 40-win campaign in 13 years, the team is heading to the NJCAA Region 8 championships with momentum and confidence on their side.
Finishing at 43-13 overall and 28-12 in the Citrus Conference, the Saints secured second place in their conference and earned a No. 6 national ranking in the NJCAA Division I softball poll. Now, they set their sights on the postseason, opening play in Clearwater on May 13 against Miami Dade College at 1 p.m.
What's fueled this remarkable turnaround? A potent offense that's been patient at the plate and powerful when it counts. Santa Fe leads the state in walks (211) and home runs (71), a combination that's made them a nightmare for opposing pitchers. But head coach Savannah Webster points to something deeper.
"We have a really good group of returners that led the freshmen that just really like to play softball," Webster said. "I think that's half the battle is they just really enjoy playing with each other. When things get tough and get difficult, this team just, that's when they really shine and get excited to play ball for each other."
That chemistry has been especially evident on the mound, where sophomore Belle Mancillas has emerged as a true ace. After a dedicated offseason working with pitching coach Katie Chronister—a former University of Florida and Gainesville High standout—Mancillas has posted a stellar 16-5 record with a 1.24 ERA and 141 strikeouts over 153 innings pitched.
"In my opinion, she's the best pitcher in the state," Webster said. "She throws the ball a little bit harder than she did last year. She spins the ball well and hits her spots. She added a changeup in there as well and I think that throws a lot of people off."
Offensively, the Saints will lean on a dynamic duo: sophomore Molly Bender, hitting .410 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs, and sophomore McKenzie Cox, who's crushed 18 home runs with 40 RBIs while batting .382. As the No. 3 seed in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament, Santa Fe is poised to make noise—and the winner earns a trip to the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series.
"The key is to stay in the moment," Cox said. For a team that's already accomplished so much, that focus could be the difference between a great season and a championship run.