NWF Falls to Miami Dade in Extras

SARASOTA, Fla. - Northwest Florida State baseball dropped game two of the Legends Classic weekend opener tonight after falling to Miami Dade in extra innings. The Raiders battled fiercely until the final moments, but the Sharks managed to secure a late 6-5 victory on Friday in Sarasota.

The game remained deadlocked at five runs apiece in the top of the tenth inning when Thomas White was hit by a pitch, bringing in the decisive run for Miami Dade. Despite out-hitting the Sharks eight to five, the Raiders fell short in a closely contested matchup. Qrey Lott led the offensive charge for Northwest Florida State with two hits.

Miami Dade drew first blood in the opening inning, capitalizing on a wild pitch and an error by NWF to score a run each. However, the Raiders rallied back to claim a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning, courtesy of singles from Bryce Hubbard, Jaquae Stewart, and Aiden Paradine.

Miami Dade fought back and leveled the score at five runs apiece in the top of the ninth inning, aided by a crucial double play hit into by Carlos Jacome.Enrique Sierra clinched the win for Miami Dade, pitching two scoreless innings and allowing zero hits and runs while striking out one and walking three.

Alex Walsh delivered a solid relief performance for the Raiders, pitching four innings and conceding just one run (unearned) on two hits while striking out four and issuing no walks. However, Jackson Evers suffered the loss for NWF, pitching two innings and giving up one run on one hit while striking out four and walking three.

Brock Tapper started on the mound for the Raiders, delivering a strong performance with eight strikeouts over three innings, allowing just one hit and two runs (unearned) while walking two.

Paradine, Hubbard, and Stewart contributed offensively for NWF, each driving in a run. The team displayed patience at the plate, drawing a total of nine walks during the game, with Stewart, Chase Williams, and Kendrey Maduro leading the charge.