Raider softball splits home doubleheader vs. Chipola

NICEVILLE, FL - A picturesque Saturday afternoon at the Raider Softball Complex featured two nationally-ranked, highly-competitive programs battling it out for Panhandle Conference supremacy for over five hours.  There were big plays, momentum swings, and clutch performances from both sides.  Game one produced thrilling, late inning heroics from Northwest Florida, propelling the Raiders to a huge 8-5 win in the bottom of the seventh.  Game two showcased two great pitching performances, with Chipola getting the edge, leading them to a 3-1 win over the Raiders.  The split left NWF and Chipola tied in the standings, just one game behind first place Pensacola with two games remaining in the regular season.

Game One:  NWF 8, Chipola 5

Northwest Florida found themselves down 5-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning and seemed like they might be left wondering 'what-if' due to stranded baserunners and missed opportunities the previous five innings.

Instead, the Raiders turned in one of their most impressive innings of the season in the sixth.  Disciplined at-bats, coupled with all-out hustle, allowed the NWF to load the bases for their captain, Gabby Fischetti, to come to the plate with a chance to do some damage.  Fischetti indeed did damage, crushing a grand slam over the left field wall to cut the Chipola lead to just one run, 5-4, and the Raiders captured a ton of momentum heading into the seventh inning.

Thanks to huge shutdown inning by starting pitcher Ali Brunson, the Raiders went to bat in the bottom seventh still down just one run.  After getting a runner in scoring position with two outs, Gracie Bellard was down to her final strike when she came up with a clutch, opposite field single to score Desiney Gary to tie the game at 5-5.  Next up came even more heroics, as shortstop Kassidy Hood proved she was ready for the moment, slugging a walk-off homerun blast to give the Raiders the 8-5 victory and in the process sent the NWF fans into euphoria with excitement.

Brunson got the win for the Raiders as the righthander surrendered five runs on ten hits over seven innings, striking out three.

Fischetti and Layla Thompson each racked up multiple hits in the game for Northwest Florida.

Game Two: Chipola 3, NWF 1

Northwest Florida fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 3-1 loss to Chipola.  The pitching was strong on both sides.

Alexis Wadsworth was on the rubber for the Raiders and had a solid outing. The lefty surrendered three runs on six hits over four and a third innings, striking out two and walking zero. Julia Petty threw two and two-thirds innings out of the bullpen.

Maycie Hardy, Layla Thompson, Gracie Bellard, and Kassidy Hood each collected one hit to lead the Raider offense.

The Raiders now move to 39-12 overall and 11-7 in conference play.  They will conclude their regular season on Monday, April 24 at Chipola College in a doubleheader starting at 4:00 PM.

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