Raiders Drop Game One to SCF, Face Elimination in Game Two

NICEVILLE, Fla. — No. 18 Northwest Florida State Baseball came up short in Game One of the FCSAA Regional Playoff series, falling 13-9 to No. 25 State College of Florida on Friday afternoon at the Raider Baseball Complex. Despite a furious late-game comeback that erased a six-run deficit, the Raiders surrendered four runs in the top of the ninth and now face a must-win scenario in Saturday's Game Two.

Northwest Florida trailed 9-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, but a relentless offensive push in the final three innings saw the Raiders tie the game 9-9. Preston Murphy powered the charge with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, including a two-run home run — the first of his career — in the second, followed by singles in the seventh and eighth innings.

Sam Bradley added a solo homer to left field in the second to put the Raiders on the board, and the offense came alive late with clutch RBI hits from Matthew Keller and Tristan Bittle to knot the game in the eighth.

However, SCF responded immediately in the ninth. With the momentum swinging back in their favor, the Manatees strung together four hits—including a two-run double from Clayton Evans and RBI singles from Hayden Gustavson and Calin Heath—to retake control, 13-9.

The Manatees' offense was firing on all cylinders from the start, totaling 18 hits on the day. Luke Boykin and Mario Trivella each hit home runs as part of a four-run first inning and a three-run third that built SCF's early lead. Gustavson and Davis both tallied three hits, while SCF saw five players collect multiple hits.

Northwest Florida's pitching staff was tested early and often. Starter Cooper Powell lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing four runs on five hits. Sam Schmidt entered in relief and gave the Raiders a chance, tossing four innings with five strikeouts and two earned runs. However, SCF capitalized in the final frame against the back end of the bullpen to pull away.

Offensively, the Raiders racked up 13 hits of their own. Murphy, Keller, and Bittle each drove in two runs, while Bradley and Sylas Boris chipped in with multi-hit efforts. Defensively, the Raiders turned two double plays, but were unable to slow down SCF's consistent attack.

SCF's Lochlan Radloff earned the win, going 6.1 innings while giving up nine hits and seven runs with two strikeouts. The Manatees played clean defense behind him, committing no errors on the field.

With the loss, Northwest Florida now faces elimination and must win back-to-back games to advance to the Championship Round of the FCSAA Tournament. Saturday's Game Two is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., but rain is in the forecast, putting the start time in question. If the game is postponed, a potential makeup would be played Monday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m.—but only if the Raiders force a Game Three by winning on Sunday.

Fans can stay up to date on scheduling changes and series updates by following Raider social media @NWFRaiders and @NWFRaiders_BSB.