Raiders' Comeback Falls Short Against Pearl River

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Despite a late-game rally, Northwest Florida State dropped its weekend opener in Panama City on Friday, falling 6-4 to Pearl River in seven innings. 

The Bobcats struck first in the third inning when Jaxon Milam's RBI single drove in two runs, followed by another run scoring on a dropped third strike. The Raiders answered in the bottom half as Tristan Bittle's groundout to second brought home Matt Farner from third. 

Pearl River regained a three-run cushion in the fourth when Hank Eaton doubled in a run. The Bobcats then extended their lead in the fifth with a two-run homer to center by Caston Thompson, making it 6-1. 

Trailing by five, the Raiders mounted a comeback. Qrey Lott delivered an RBI single in the fifth, and Henry Allen crushed a two-run homer in the sixth to trim the deficit to two. In the seventh, Lott reached on a walk, bringing the tying run to the plate, but Northwest Florida couldn't capitalize as Pearl River secured the game one victory.

Pitching Highlights

Alex Walsh got the start for the Raiders, pitching 3.2 innings and allowing four runs on four hits while striking out six and walking one. Sam Strek followed in relief, giving up two runs in one inning of work, while Cooper Powell closed out the game with 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three.

Offensive Leaders

Henry Allen led the Raiders at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Qrey Lott also recorded two hits and drove in a run, making him the only other Raider with multiple hits. David Alvarez, Augusto Mungarietta, Matt Farner, and Sam Bradley each added a hit to round out the offense.