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THE OFFICIAL ATHLETICS WEBSITE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE
Baseball Tue, Apr 08 5:00 PM
Baseball
at Pensacola State College
Pensacola, Fla.
Baseball Thu, Apr 10 5:00 PM
Baseball
at Pensacola State College
Pensacola, Fla.
Baseball Sat, Apr 12 1:00 PM
Baseball
vs Pensacola State College
Doubleheader - Niceville, Fla.
Baseball Sat, Apr 12 4:00 PM
Baseball
vs Pensacola State College
Doubleheader - Niceville, Fla.
Baseball Tue, Apr 22 1:00 PM
Baseball
at Tallahassee State College
Tallahassee, Fla.
No. 3 Northwest Florida Set to Defend Panhandle Conference Title, Opens Play Friday Against Gulf Coast
Posted: Mar 05, 2025

No. 3 Northwest Florida Set to Defend Panhandle Conference Title, Opens Play Friday Against Gulf Coast

 

NICEVILLE, Fla. — With the arrival of spring comes another thrilling season of Panhandle Conference baseball. The No. 3-ranked Northwest Florida State baseball team is set to open conference play this weekend with a two-game series against Gulf Coast. The Raiders will host the Commodores on Friday at 2:00 p.m. before traveling to Panama City for a road matchup on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

After claiming back-to-back Panhandle Conference Championships, the Raiders are aiming for a historic three-peat. Last season, they posted a 16-10 record in conference play, securing the No. 2 seed in the FCSAA State Baseball Tournament. From there, they went on to win the tournament and punch their ticket to Grand Junction, Colo., for the JUCO World Series, where they finished as national runner-up.

This year, the Raiders are on a mission to return to Grand Junction and finish what they started. However, they must first navigate the challenging Panhandle Conference, which features No. 14 Gulf Coast, (RV) Chipola, Pensacola, and Tallahassee.

Strong Start to the Season

Northwest Florida State enters conference play with an impressive 18-5 overall record in non-conference action. Their early-season success has earned them a No. 3 ranking in the NJCAA Week Two National Poll, a jump from their No. 5 ranking in Week One.

The season began with a modest 3-3 record through six games, but the Raiders quickly found their groove. Over their last 17 games, they have gone 15-2 and are currently riding a nine-game win streak. During this stretch, the team has outscored opponents 152-69, boasting an 83-run differential.

Offensive Firepower

The Raiders' bats have been on fire, ranking among the top teams nationally in several categories:

  • Batting Average: .335 (23rd)
  • On-Base Percentage: .434 (47th)
  • Slugging Percentage: .554 (16th)
  • Total Hits: 228 (5th)
  • Doubles: 43 (16th)
  • Home Runs: 32 (2nd)
  • RBIs: 168 (12th)

Several Raiders have stood out at the plate, including Henry Allen, who leads the nation in home runs (9), and David Alvarez, who ranks in the top 30 in doubles (8) while also tallying four home runs. The Raiders also excel at getting on base, with eight players holding an on-base percentage above .400 and eight more batting over .300 on the season.

Dominant Pitching Staff

The Raiders' pitching staff has been equally impressive, boasting a 3.96 ERA (34th) and a 1.37 WHIP (36th) with 184 strikeouts to just 76 walks.

Leading the charge is Jackson Evers, while Alex Walsh paces the team with 31 strikeouts. The Raiders have relied on a steady three-man starting rotation:

Other pitchers have also stepped up when needed, contributing to the Raiders' well-rounded and deep pitching staff.

The Road Ahead

As the Raiders begin their quest for another conference title, they will look to maintain their dominance both at the plate and on the mound. With a balanced attack and championship experience, Northwest Florida State is poised for another strong run—one that could ultimately lead them back to Grand Junction with unfinished business to settle.