NWF Takes Four-Game Set Over Gulf Coast After Winning Game Four Saturday.
NICEVILLE, Fla. - After earning two road wins, Tuesday and Thursday over the No. 5 Gulf Coast in Panama City, Northwest Florida State Baseball locked up the series win on Saturday, winning game two of their doubleheader with the Commodores 7-6.
The Raiders outscored the Commodores 36-21 during the four-game set, amassing 32 total hits, including three home runs. Not only did the Raiders take the four-game series over the Commodores, but they also took the season series over their conference rivals 4-3.
The Raiders are now tied for first place with Chipola in the Panhandle Conference Standing with a record of 10-6 in conference play (25-11 overall).
Northwest Florida has another big series coming up next week against Tallahassee, starting with games on Tuesday and Thursday here in Niceville at 5:00 PM before shifting over to Tallahassee Saturday for a doubleheader against the Eagles beginning at noon.
GAME ONE
Northwest Florida faced a tough defeat against Gulf Coast State in game one, falling 9-5 at NWF Baseball Complex on Saturday, despite Kenrey Maduro's two-hit, four-RBI performance.
The Commodores took control early, scoring multiple runs in the second inning courtesy of hits by Lindsey, B Byers, Reynolds, Masse, and a walk by Prosek. They added another run in the third after Gupton drew a walk.
The Raiders fought back in the bottom of the fourth with Maduro's impressive home run to left field, driving in two runs.
Laurido secured the win for Gulf Coast, allowing just one hit and one run over two innings, with four strikeouts and four walks. Mack Estrada took the loss for Northwest Florida, surrendering eight runs on seven hits in one inning of work, with two strikeouts and three walks.
Qrey Lott and Maduro were the Raiders' offensive standouts, each collecting two hits. Colby Jones showcased his speed with two stolen bases while the team turned three double plays during the game.
The Commodores amassed 13 hits, with Byers, Lindsey, Reynolds, and Horton each contributing two hits. Lindsey and Masse drove in two runs apiece. The team demonstrated discipline at the plate, earning ten walks.
Todd, Horton, and Gupton led Gulf Coast with two walks each. Their defense remained error-free throughout the game, with Lindsey making the most plays in the field with 12 chances.
GAME TWO
The Raiders secured a narrow 7-6 victory over the Commodores in game two after building a five-run lead in the fourth inning. Gulf Coast fought back with scoring drives in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings but could not complete the comeback.
The Commodores struck first in the opening inning when Todd's single brought in a run. Cade Sadler's single in the bottom of the second tied the game at one for Northwest Florida. In the third inning, the Raiders surged ahead 5-1, fueled by Cayden Gaskin's double, Kendrey Maduro's triple, and Sadler's single.
However, back-to-back two-run innings for the Commodores brought them within one run of the Raiders, cutting the Raider advantage to 6-5.
Colby Jones responded in the sixth inning with a solo home run to left field, extending Northwest Florida's lead to 7-5. Gupton's seventh-inning solo home run closed the gap for Gulf Coast State in the bottom of the seventh, but Bryon Rincones shut the door on the Commodore rally, striking out the last two batters of the game and securing the win and the save.
Alex Walsh claimed the win for the Raiders, allowing five hits and five runs (four earned) over five and two-thirds innings, with two strikeouts and five walks. Davenport took the loss for Gulf Coast State, pitching two and one-third innings, surrendering five runs on six hits, with one strikeout and no walks.
Northwest Florida State amassed 12 hits, with Sadler leading the charge with three. Gaskin, Sadler, and Jones each drove in two runs. Tyler Lejeune also contributed two hits.
Horton, Todd, B Byers, Masse, Gupton, and Wombles each collected one hit for Gulf Coast State. Todd and Masse were formidable in the lineup, each driving in two runs.