Raiders Drop Weekend Finale in Bradenton

BRADENTON, Fla. – Northwest Florida State (NWF) baseball suffered their second consecutive loss on Saturday against State College of Florida (SCF). Despite outhitting the Manatees 12 to 6, the Raiders couldn't generate sufficient runs to overturn the 7-5 defeat

The Raiders struck first in the second inning when Cayden Gaskin singled, bringing in a run. SCF rallied in the bottom of the third, taking a 2-1 lead after Luke Boykin was hit by a pitch and LT Cockrill drew a walk, each scoring a run.

In the top of the fourth, Northwest Florida State surged ahead again as Cade Sadler smashed a home run to left field and Tyler Lejeune doubled, bringing in another run. However, the Manatees responded strongly in the bottom of the fourth. Jalen Hairston's three-run homer to right field propelled SCF to a 5-3 advantage.

Palmer O'Beirne claimed the win for the Manatees, allowing just one unearned run on two hits over three and one-third innings in relief, striking out six and walking two. Parker Dillhoff took the loss for the Raiders, surrendering three runs on two hits over one and two-thirds innings, while striking out five and walking three.

Mack Estrada started on the mound for NWF, pitching two and two-thirds innings and conceding zero hits and two unearned runs, with four strikeouts and five walks. Ed Wagner started for SCF, allowing three runs on seven hits over three and two-thirds innings, with four strikeouts and one walk. Daniel Hartley secured the save.

The Raiders had a strong offensive showing with 12 hits. Lejeune, Gaskin, Sadler, and Colby Jones each drove in a run. The team turned two double plays defensively.

For SCF, Hayden Gustavson led the team with two hits in three at-bats, while Hairston drove in three runs. Luis Garrido led SCF Manatee with three walks. Overall, the Manatees displayed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks in the game and also turning two double plays defensively.