Alvarez Powers Raiders Past Pensacola State with Two Home Runs

PENSACOLA, Fla. — David Alvarez delivered a standout performance Tuesday night, crushing two home runs and driving in five runs to lead Northwest Florida State to a 15-6 win over Pensacola State.

The Raiders got going early, as Alvarez launched a three-run homer to left field in the first inning. They extended the lead to 4-0 in the second thanks to an RBI single from Tristan Bittle down the right field line.

Pensacola State responded in the bottom of the second with a solo shot from Taft Middleton, but Alvarez was back at it in the third, driving in another run with a single to push the lead to 5-1. Pensacola trimmed the gap to one on a three-run homer by Kaden Wilks in the bottom half, but the Raiders came roaring back in the fifth. A five-run inning—highlighted by a two-run double from Hutson Guinn and RBI hits from Matthew Keller and Qrey Lott—put Northwest firmly in control.

Wilks added another solo home run for Pensacola in the fifth, but Alvarez capped off his night with a solo blast to center in the seventh, giving the Raiders their final 15-6 margin.

Cooper Powell started on the mound for the Raiders, going five innings with seven strikeouts while allowing five runs on seven hits. Sam Schmidt pitched the final four innings of relief, punching out six batters, while allowing just one earned on two hits.

The Raiders' bats were scorching, racking up 18 hits. Alvarez, Allen, Bittle, and Keller each collected three hits, while Lott and Sam Bradley also recorded multi-hit games. Northwest was sharp all around—stealing seven bases and committing zero errors in the field. Preston Murphy led the defense with 14 total chances.

For Pensacola State, Wilks did most of the damage with a 2-for-5 night and four RBIs. Caden Hartman and Mason Onate each added two hits, while Will Barter contributed two stolen bases.

The win improves Northwest Florida State to 29-11 overall and 11-6 in Panhandle Conference play, moving them into sole possession of first place after Tallahassee State edged #11 Gulf Coast 15-14 in extra innings.

The Raiders head back to Pensacola on Thursday for game two of the four-game series, set for a 5:00 p.m. first pitch. The series wraps up Saturday with a home doubleheader in Niceville beginning at 1:00 p.m., as Northwest looks to secure its third straight Panhandle Conference title and a strong postseason push.