NWF State misses out on sweep

By SETH STRINGER

NWF State will have to settle for the 3-1 series win over Chipola.

After outscoring the Indians 24-8 in the opening three games of the lauded series, the Raiders' bats were silenced Tuesday in a 2-0 loss in Marianna.

The loss snapped a five-game win streak for the Raiders (32-8, 13-3), who have won 24 of their last 27 games and still have a two-game cushion atop the Panhandle Conference.

Chipola (22-12, 9-3), which dropped from 15th to unranked in Tuesday's NJCAA poll, needed only a two-run single by Corey Rosier in the fifth to back a combined gem from four pitchers.

Chipola starter Cameron Gray tossed 4 1/3 innings of two-hit ball, scattering five walks. In relief, Logan Jarosz allowed just a hit over 2 1/3, Jake Smith struck out four over 1 2/3 scoreless and Andrew Baker earned the save by recording the final two outs.

NWF State starter Matt Boswell, who entered the night with a 5-1 record and 2.75 ERA, allowed two runs on three hits and a pair of walks over 4 1/3 innings. Jacob Kush tossed 3 2/3 scoreless in relief, striking out three and scattering three hits and a walk.

Accounting for NWF State's four hits – all singles – were Jake Randa, Kaden Polcovich, Brock Franks and Blaine Smith. The Raiders' lineup walked seven times but left 11 on base.

The Raiders, ranked fourth nationally and tops in the state, now take more than a week off before hosting Pensacola State on April 12th for a 2 p.m. first pitch.