Raiders Go 1-1 on Saturday, Defeating Miami Dade but Coming Up Short Against Motlow

GAME ONE vs. MIAMI DADE

Ira Jefferies-Harris delivered a standout performance on Saturday, driving in five runs to power Northwest Florida State to a 10-6 victory over Miami Dade at Northwest Florida State College. Jefferies-Harris launched a three-run homer to right field in the fifth inning and added a two-run single in the fourth, helping the Raiders secure the win.

Miami Dade got on the board first in the second inning when Talan Beckford lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in a run. The Sharks extended their lead to 2-0 in the third after Santiago Carriles singled to center, plating another run.

The Raiders took control in the bottom of the fourth, grabbing a 4-3 lead. Jefferies-Harris' two-run single, along with back-to-back hit-by-pitches for Qrey Lott and Tristan Bittle, brought in three runs to shift the momentum. Miami Dade briefly tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth on a Carriles groundout, but Northwest Florida responded immediately.

David Alvarez singled home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth, followed by Jefferies-Harris' three-run blast to extend the lead to 8-4. The Raiders added two more insurance runs in the sixth when Henry Allen crushed a two-run homer to center.

Pitching Highlights

On the mound, Sam Schmidt started for Northwest Florida, allowing three runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings, striking out four and walking one. Cooper Powell provided a solid relief outing, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. Miami Dade's Brandon Olivera struck out seven over 3.2 innings but allowed four runs on one hit.

Offensive Leaders

Miami Dade tallied 12 hits, led by Cian Copeland's 3-for-4 performance. Carriles and Beckford each drove in two runs, while David Zamora, Adrian Poviones, and Willy Mendez all recorded multiple hits. The Sharks were also error-free in the field, with Carriles handling 11 chances.

GAME TWO vs. MOTLOW

Both teams showcased strong pitching performances on Saturday, but Motlow State found just enough offense to edge out Northwest Florida State in a 3-2 battle. Brady Robertson took the mound for the Raiders, recording three innings of work before handing it over to the bullpen.

Northwest Florida State struck first in the opening inning when Sam Bradley doubled to bring home a run. Motlow State responded in the third, grabbing a 2-1 lead on a single by Tomlin.

Pitching Highlights

Eli Jones delivered four solid innings in relief for the Raiders, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out five and walking one. Robertson, the starter, surrendered five hits and two runs over three innings, fanning four and walking one. On the other side, Motlow State's West kept the Raiders in check, pitching six innings of one-run baseball while striking out eight and walking two.

Offensively, Bradley and Ira Jefferies-Harris each drove in a run for Northwest Florida State, with Jefferies-Harris leading the team at the plate, going 2-for-3.

Offensive Leaders

Motlow State's lineup saw contributions across the board, as Gallo, Ratliff, Finley, Gallardo, Mecks, Murrah, and Tomlin each recorded a hit. Tomlin delivered the key at-bat of the game, finishing 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Defensively, Motlow State played a clean game without committing an error, with Gallo leading the team with nine defensive chances.