NWF Falls to Blinn 12-5 in National Championship

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Northwest Florida State baseball's season ended on Saturday, falling to six-seed Blinn in the National Championship game, 12-5.

The Buccaneers got on the board early in the first inning following a Northwest Florida State error and a double by Ferraro, each bringing in a run. Blinn extended their lead to six in the second inning with a single by Tanner Reaves, an error, and a single by Connor McGinnis, putting the Bucs ahead 6-0.

The Raiders got on the board in the bottom of the second inning when Bryce Hubbard singled to right-center, driving in a run. They continued their rally in the third, adding three more runs with a Colby Jones single, a double steal, and a Cade Sadler single, bringing the score to 6-4 in favor of the Buccaneers.

However, Blinn responded in the fourth inning with another run and extended their lead in the fifth with a three-run home run, making it 10-4. The Raiders managed to score once more in the bottom of the eighth when Jaquae Stewart hit a solo home run to right field on a full count, but this was the final run they could muster for the game.

Davenport earned the win for Blinn College, allowing 12 hits and five runs over nine innings, striking out eight and walking none. Brock Tapper took the loss for Northwest Florida State, pitching one and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs (one earned) on five hits, with two strikeouts and one walk.

Northwest Florida State recorded 12 hits in the game. Cade Sadler and Chase Williams each collected three hits. Colby Jones, Sadler, Bryce Hubbard, and Stewart each drove in one run.

Blinn College amassed 16 hits in the game. Leadoff hitter Tanner Reaves led the Buccaneers with four hits in five at-bats. Tony Vernars, Marshall Lipsey, Brandon Bishop, and Ferraro each had multiple hits.

Following the game, Mack Estrada, Williams, Stewart, Jones, and Hubbard were all named to the World Series All-Tournament team. Estrada only gave up four earned runs with 16 strikeouts in two appearances this tournament. Williams went 13-for-17, hitting .481 with ten runs scored and three stolen bases. Stewart hit .471 for the tournament with four home runs and six RBIs. Jones hit .375 with three home runs and a team-leading 14 RBIs. Hubbard hit .500 with two home runs and eight RBIs.

The Raiders finish their season with a 40-15 record, marking just the sixth time in program history the team has finished with 40 wins or more. The team also made history by becoming only the second team in program history to make the World Series and play for a National Championship (2015).