NWF Begins National Title Run Tomorrow Afternoon Against (9) Southern Nevada
NJCAA Baseball World Series
(9) Southern Nevada vs. (2) Northwest Florida
May 25 | 4:00 p.m. (CDT) | Sam Suplizio Field | Grand Junction, Colo.
Watch: ESPN+
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Northwest Florida State baseball begins their quest for another national Championship tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. when they take on the nine-seed Southern Nevada in the first round of the NJCAA Baseball World Series in Grand Junction, Colo.
The Raiders are riding a five-game win streak, including three victories in the FCSAA/Region VIII Tournament, which the team won two weeks ago with a 10-3 victory over Chipola in the Championship game. This marked the team's first NJCAA South Atlantic District Championship and trip to the World Series since 2015 – the same year Doug Martin and the Raiders won it all. The Raiders are looking to make history again as the number two seed in this year's tournament and bring home their second National Championship in program history.
During that historic 2015 run, the Raiders dominated the field, winning five out of their six games and scoring ten or more runs in four of those contests, including 15 in the National Championship game against McLennan, earning the coveted title.
This year's team is looking to do the same, needing to win at least six games to bring home another trophy. For the Raiders, it starts with the bats. The Raiders' offense is stacked top to bottom, as indicated by their season stats. Their bats currently rank 30th in batting average (.329), 23rd in on-base percentage (.451), and 39th in slugging percentage (.505). The team is led by one of the best one-two-three hitters in the country, Chase Williams, Cayden Gaskin, and Colby Jones. Each ranked in the top three on the team in batting average with percentages above the .350 mark. Gaskin leads the team with a .409 average, which also ranks in the top 50 of the NJCAA (43rd), and is second on the team in RBIs with 54.
Jaquae Stewart, Cade Sadler, and Kendrey Maduro hold down the middle of the order. The three combined to smash 34 home runs, with averages above the .300 plateau. Stewart was named the FCSAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and has a ridiculous .538 on-base percentage, which ranks 21st in the nation.
While the Raiders offense has been impressive this season, the team's pitching staff has been equally dominant. With a combined 3.85 ERA, which is the 13th best in the nation, and a .240 batting average against, ranking 9th in the NJCAA, the Raiders' arms have proven to be a formidable force. This strong pitching staff provides a solid foundation for the team's success, instilling confidence in the team and its supporters.
The Raiders have multiple options in their arsenal for starting pitching. However, Mack Estrada, Sam Strek (Schafer), and Brock Tapper have led the charge lately. Estrada has an 8-1 record in 15 appearances with a 4.17 ERA and 78 strikeouts this season, being named Panhandle Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-FCSAA. Strek is a newer addition to the rotation but has been dominant with an impressive 2.25 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Tapper is a versatile two-way player who gives production at the plate and on the mound. He carries a 7-1 record with a 2.39 ERA and 66 strikeouts and was named FCSAA Tournament Most Outstanding Pitcher.
Other Notable pitchers include Will Boylan, who has a team-leading 2.05 ERA. Alex Walsh is another option for a starter but has also been effective out of the bullpen, with a 3.38 ERA. Bryon Rincones is another electric arm out of the pen, producing 39 strikeouts in 30.2 innings of work with a 4.11 ERA.
The Raiders have the pieces and pedigree of a National Championship contender. Still, we will have to wait and see if they can put it together and make another deep run in Grand Junction. It all starts tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. (CDT) with a game against (9) Southern Nevada in the tournament's opening round.