NWF Softball Stays Hot, Defeats Gulf Coast 9-0

NICEVILLE, Fla. - Northwest Florida softball continues their dominance this season, defeating Gulf Coast 9-0 in a run rule 5 inning game. The Raiders improve to 48-8, 14-5 in the Panhandle Conference.

Abigail Pippen got things started early for the Raiders with a long ball to put NWF up 3-0. Allison Brunson shut down the Commodores, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out 3. Brunson was very efficient in the 9-0 win, throwing 58 pitches, 39 of them for strikes. 

The 5th inning was another outburst for the Raider offense, putting up 6 to finish the game early. With 2 outs, Sydney Stewart started with a single to right followed by a fielder's choice at 2nd base with Stewart getting there just in time. Maycie Hardy's 7 pitch walk brought up Layla Thompson who smacked one into center field and forced the Commodores to throw it around, and bringing in all 3 runners and putting Thompson at 3rd. Abigail Pippen picked up her second hit of the night on a line drive to right field and Sophia Jones poked one deep into right field to put the Raiders up 9.

Abigail Pippen was 2-3 with 4 RBIs, Layla Thompson was 1-2 with 2 RBIs, and Sophia Jones was 1-3 with 2 RBIs. 

The Raiders will travel to Pensacola to take on the Pirates in the final regular season game of the year. The winner of that game will clinch the Panhandle's #1 seed in the FCSAA State Tournament.