NWF prevails in game two to earn important road split at Pensacola

PENSACOLA, FL - The Raider softball team traveled to Pensacola on Wednesday for a highly anticipated doubleheader between the two teams currently tied atop the conference standings.  Considering the regular season is rapidly coming to a close, the ramifications of the twin bill could loom large in deciding who earns the  Panhandle crown for the 2022 season.  As it turns out, the stalemate at the top of the standings will remain for at least a few days longer, as both teams each earned a win in the two games played on the Pirates' home field. 

The two games of the doubleheader mirrored each other with terrific pitching performances.  The only difference between the two games was who was on the receiving end of the dominant pitching.

In game one, it was the Pirates who controlled the contest, limiting the Raiders' offense to just one run in route to a 5-1 loss for Northwest Florida.  Lydia Drake was in the circle for Pensacola and she held the Raiders to just three hits in seven complete innings of work.

The Raiders took the field in game two with a different mindset and proved to be determined to flip the script from the first game.  NWF gave the ball to starting pitcher Alexis Wadsworth who was brilliant.  The freshman lefthander tossed a complete game shutout, only allowing six hits, while the Raider bats got going.  With everything clicking, the result was a critical 5-0 victory to salvage a split on the road against the Pirates.

Northwest Florida racked up 11 hits in the contest. Riley Gibson, Brilee Broussard, and Maycie Hardy all collected multiple hits for the Raiders. Gibson led the day with three hits in four at bats.

With the win in game two, the Raiders improve their overall record to 38-11 overall and 10-6 in conference play.  NWF has four games remaining in the regular season, all against Chipola College.  The first two games will be played in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 PM in what will be the Raiders home finale. 

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