Raider Softball Goes 2-1 to Open Sun Chief Classic

Gulf Shores, Ala. – Northwest Florida fell to Central Alabama before knocking off Shelton State and Roane State to open the Sun Chief Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala., Friday.

Central Alabama 4, Northwest Florida 3

Central Alabama scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning to defeat Northwest Florida, 4-3, to open the Sun Chief Classic.

The Raiders got all three of its runs in the fourth inning on RBIs from Lele Martinez, Ariana Cipriano, and Gabrielle Fischetti.

Cipriano finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate. Brookelyn Sweeney was solid in her start in the circle allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts.

Northwest Florida 9, Shelton State 1

The Raiders bounced back to defeat Shelton State in the team's second game of the day, 9-1.

Offensively, Ashley Autuori was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, a two-run home run, and two runs scored. Cipriano and Amber Divine drove in two runs each, while Abbey Higginbotham collected three hits.

Lauren Rase tossed five innings allowing just a single unearned run.

Northwest Florida 12, Roane State 4

The middle innings were good to Northwest Florida in a 12-4 win over Roane State in the day's finale.

The Raiders scored 10 runs across the third, fourth, and fifth innings. Ivey Hill was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a run batted in. Autuori and Cipriano finished with a pair of hits and three RBIs each.

Lele Martinez and Autuori each homered in the game. Hill got the start and went four innings allowing one run on three hits.

The Raiders return to action Saturday against Walter State at 9 a.m. and Wallace-Dothan at 11:15 a.m. 

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