Raiders Split Doubleheader at No. 12 Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Northwest Florida State softball split a Panhandle Conference doubleheader on the road against No. 12 Pensacola on Saturday. 

Northwest Florida 6, Pensacola 5

The Raiders (28-10, 5-3 PC) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first when Brittni Rufus lined a double to left to clear the bases.

After NWF added a run in the second on an error, Gabrielle Fischetti blasted a solo home run in the third to up the advantage to 5-0.

With the Pirates clawing their way back into the game, 5-3, Fischetti hit her second homer of the game in the seventh.

Pensacola added a pair of runs in the bottom half but Katie Walters got out of the jam and left the go-ahead run standing at first.

Pensacola 9, Northwest Florida 8 (10 innings)

Pensacola worked the bases loaded in the 10^th before a ground ball drove in the winning run.

Neither team could take control of the contest as the game saw five lead changes.

Lele Martinez was 2-for-3 in the game with three runs scored and a three-run home run in the sixth that gave NWF am 8-5 lead.

The Pirates answered with three runs of their own in the bottom half and the game remained tied until Pensacola ended it in the 10^th.

Rufus and Amber Divine finished the game with two hits each.

Northwest Florida hosts Gulf Coast on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

For more information on Northwest Florida State athletics, visit NWFRaiders.com or follow the team on Twitter at @NWFRaiders.