Raiders extend win-streak to 6 with DH sweep

By SAM GRUBENHOFF

NICEVILLE — Gulf Coast State never stood a chance. NWF State is simply too good right now.

The Raiders swept a doubleheader with the Commodores on Saturday in Niceville winning their first game 8-0 and its second 10-0 in just five innings.

Mashing 10 hits as a team, sophomore Kaden Polcovich led the way at the plate in Game 1 with a 2-for-3 showing that plated a team-high three runs. Sophomore center fielder Jake Randa also got in on the RBI action, brining two runners home with a 2-for-4 day in the box. Randa and Polcovich each had a double.

Kyle Fitzgerald and Niceville alumnus Noah Bailey also came up with RBIs, the pair collecting one hit each.

The Raiders (25-6) started slow in Game 1 but picked up the pace quickly, scoring one run in the second, two in the third and three in the fourth, while the Commodores (19-9) struggled to simply get the barrel on the ball.

Raider starter Jacob Kelchner allowed just two hits with five walks and two strikeouts in a complete-game shutout. It was his fourth complete game of the year. Entering with a 2.62 ERA, the freshman lefty picked up his seventh win.

NWF State needed two pitchers to get the job done in Game 2, but the result was even cleaner.

In just five innings, right-handers Conor Angel and Connor Stephens combined to throw a one-hitter with three walks against seven strikeouts and limit Gulf Coast State to just three hits and no runs this weekend.

Offensively, freshman infielder Will Moriarty shouldered the load in the batter's box, going 3-for-3 with three runs, three RBI and a walk.

Fitzgerald added two more RBI, while Fort Walton Beach alumnus Justice Lucas, Brock Franks and Blaine Smith picked up an RBI each for the Raiders, who managed to score 10 runs on only nine hits.

NWF State returns to action at 5 p.m. Tuesday, traveling to Panama City to play the Commodores on their home field.