Raiders Split on Day One of JUCO Showcase

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Northwest Florida softball split a pair of games to open the season in the JUCO Kickoff Showcase on Friday. 

The Raiders (1-1) fell to State College of Florida, 7-5, before bouncing back to defeat Fayetteville Tech, 15-0, in the second game of the day.

NWF led the opener against State College of Florida, 5-4, before the Manatees struck for three runs in the sixth inning. The Raiders threatened in the seventh, but with runners on first and second, a double play squashed any chances of a comeback.

Ashley Autuori finished the game 2-for-3 and Abby Sulte launched a 2-run home run in the game. Lauren Rase got the start and settled in after a rocky first inning and tossed three frames allowing Northwest Florida to creep back into the contest.

In the second game, six Raiders collected multiple hits and tallied 17 as a team in the win over Fayetteville Tech. Lele Martinez drove home four runs, while Malerie Busha picked up a pair of extra base hits and knocked in three. Makiya Giles went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and tossed the final inning in the circle. Ivey Hill pitched four innings in the starting effort and struck out two allowing four hits.

The Raiders return to action Saturday against Miami Dade (11 a.m.) and East Georgia State (12:20 p.m.).

Follow the action via live stats HERE.

For more information on Northwest Florida athletics, visit NWFRaiders.com or follow us on Twitter at @NWF_Raiders.