Softball Clinches Spot in National Tournament with Riley Gibson Walk-Off

CLERMONT, Fla. - Northwest Florida looked down and out in the 6th inning when Indian River took a 6-2 lead in the final game of the FCSAA State Tournament to lock up a spot in the NJCAA National Tournament in Oxford, Alabama. However, the Raiders never gave up and fought all the way until the last at-bat to clinch a spot in the final dance. 

Maycie Hardy led off the 6th inning with a single, followed by singles from Layla Thompson and Abigail Pippen. Sophia Jones ripped one into left field, scoring Hardy to make it a 6-3 ball game. Two batters later, Kassidy Hood drew a bases loaded walk to make it 6-4. A single by Broussard cut the deficit to 1 and a great play by Indian River off the bat of Sydney Stewart got Jones out at the plate to end the inning.

In the 7th, Allison Brunson worked out of a jam after allowing the first two runners to get on. A sac bunt moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. With the lead off batter up at the plate for the Pioneers, Kassidy Hood was able to stop any damage as she caught a line drive and doubled up the runner at 2nd to end the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Hardy again led off the inning with a single and Thompson followed suit with a single of her own. Thompson and Hardy moved up another 60 feet on an error and the Raiders were knocking on the door with runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Pippen drew a walk to load the bases and two batters later, birthday girl Riley Gibson ripped one down the left field line to bring in Hardy and Thompson to put the Raiders on top 7-6. 

This is the first time that Northwest Florida is going to the NJCAA National Tournament for softball. The Raiders will be in Oxford, Alabama from May 23-27 in hopes of bringing home the first national championship in program history!