NWF defeats Pensacola 14-9 in series opener

NICEVILLE, FL - After starting the conference season with three wins in four games, the Northwest Florida State College baseball team turned the page to start a new series, this time with Pensacola State College.  The Raiders hosted the Pirates on Tuesday afternoon and thanks to sizzling bats and a terrific outing from starting pitcher Caleb Reis, NWF improved to 4-1 in the Panhandle with a 14-9 victory over Pensacola.

Raider shortstop Dalton McNamara was in the zone on Tuesday, tallying four hits and leading Northwest Florida to explosive day offensively. McNamara doubled in the second, tripled in the third, homered in the fourth, and tripled in the eighth.

NWF took a convincing 10-2 lead into the seventh inning and was well on its way to sealing the win before allowing Pensacola to score six runs in the frame to make the game much more interesting.  The Raiders, however, responded by plating 4 more runs in the eighth inning to pull away for good.  

Northwest Florida took an early lead in the second inning behind Cade Easterbrook's sac fly.  The Raiders then started to pour it on with five runs in the third inning. In the third, Cherokee Nichols hit a solo homer, McNamara tripled on a 1-1 count, scoring three runs, and Tyler Kehoe singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

Raider starting pitcher Caleb Reis had a great day, especially in tough windy conditions. The right-hander surrendered two runs on six hits over six innings, striking out five.

At the plate, the Raiders tallied four home runs on the day. McNamara had a dinger in the fourth inning. Austin Kelly had a four bagger in the eighth inning. Brant Smith went for the long ball in the eighth inning. Nichols went deep in the third inning.  In total, NWF collected an amazing 17 hits on the day.

The win moves to Northwest Florida to 23-8 overall and 4-1 in conference play.  The Raiders will remain at home and continue their series against the Pirates on Thursday, March 24 at 3:00 PM. 

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