Big First Inning Costs Raiders in Game 1

LAKELAND, Fla. - Northwest Florida came to Tiger Town as the home team in the matchup vs. #2 Central Florida and were quickly playing from behind as the Patriots plated 9 runs in the top half of the first inning before the Raiders were able to bat.

An error and a couple walks allowed the Patriots to get extra at-bats, and the #2 team in the country took advantage of that, picking up 7 hits in the inning, including 2 doubles and a 3-run home run. 

The deficit was too much for the Raiders to overcome as Northwest Florida did not score their first run of the game until the bottom of the 4th inning when Paul Winland and Scott Mudler hit back-to-back doubles to put up 2 runs. However, the Patriots plated 2 more runs in the top of the 5th and Northwest Florida was unable to capitalize in the bottom half with bases loaded to end the game 12-2 in 5 innings.

Northwest Florida will take on State College of Florida tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM (EST). The Raiders have beaten SCF twice this year, the first win being a forfeit on January 28 and then a 7-inning 7-3 win on February 4th in Panama City. The Manatees are 35-25 this season and lost to Miami-Dade this afternoon 4-3 on a walk-off fielder's choice.