Raiders Clinch Second Straight Conference Championship
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Northwest Florida State baseball secured their second consecutive Panhandle Conference Championship on Saturday, with a victory in the first game of a doubleheader against Pensacola, winning 12-2, followed by a narrow loss in the second game, 4-3 in extra innings.
This achievement marks the Raiders' sixth Conference Championship in program history, and their third in the last five years. With an impressive 31-13 overall record, including a 16-8 conference record, the team finished strong, going 9-3 over the last month of the season.
Consistently ranked within the NJCAA top-20 throughout the year, the Raiders have proven themselves as one of the state's premier programs, boasting the third-best record in Region VIII.
With the Conference Championship secured, the Raiders have also earned the right to host a first-round State Tournament Regional. This best-of-three series will take place from May 3-6 at the NWF Baseball Complex. The winner of that series will move on to Tampa, Fla. for the second round of the tournament taking place at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
GAME ONE
In a dominant performance on Saturday at Pensacola, Kendrey Maduro's grand slam in the fourth inning propelled Northwest Florida State to a commanding 12-2 (five-inning) win over Pensacola CC.
The Raiders wasted no time taking the lead as Colby Jones's single in the first inning put them on the board early. They extended their lead in the third inning with Jones's single, Jaquae Stewart's walk, and Cade Sadler's groundout, each driving in a run.Northwest Florida exploded for six runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by Cayden Gaskin's double and Maduro's grand slam.
Pitcher Mack Estrada earned the win, allowing six hits and two runs over five innings. On the other side, Pare took the loss for Pensacola.
The Raiders' offense was firing on all cylinders, racking up nine hits in the game. Tyler Lejeune, Bryce Hubbard, Gaskin, and Jones each contributed with two hits, while Stewart showcased discipline at the plate with three walks.The Raiders demonstrated patience, drawing nine walks overall, and displayed aggressive base running with five stolen bases. Defensively, they turned one double play and showed solidity with no errors committed.
GAME TWO
Northwest Florida State faced a tough defeat in game two, falling 4-3 to Pensacola in extra innings. The decisive moment came in the bottom of the tenth when an error allowed Pensacola CC to score the winning run, breaking the tie at three.
Despite the Raiders out-hitting Pensacola eight to seven, they couldn't secure the victory. Cayden Gaskin and Colby Jones led the offensive charge with two hits each.
Northwest Florida took an early lead in the third inning with one run scoring on another play. However, Pensacola responded, taking the lead in the sixth inning after Clay's single and Young's sacrifice bunt, each driving in a run.
Gaskin's homer in the seventh inning helped Northwest Florida tie the game at two, and a double by Cade Sadler in the eighth gave them a brief lead of 3-2. However, Pensacola CC fought back, tying the game at three in the bottom of the eighth with Young's single.
Despite the efforts of both teams, Biggs of Pensacola earned the win, pitching six innings and surrendering two runs on five hits. Alex Walsh started on the mound for the Raiders, allowing two runs on three hits over five innings.