Posted: Jan 25, 2024

Raiders Set to Open 2024 Season in Clearwater, FL

Games 1-4

JUCO Kickoff | January 26-27 | Clearwater, Florida

Friday: vs. St. Petersburg (9:00 AM) | vs. USAF Academy (11:30 AM)

Saturday: vs. Georgia Military College (8:00 AM) | vs. College of Central Florida (10:30 AM)

NICEVILLE, Florida – The much-anticipated 2024 softball season has arrived, marking the beginning of Northwest Florida State softball's journey towards securing another spot in the national championship. The team kicks off their campaign with an exciting trip to Clearwater, Fla., where they are scheduled to play four challenging games against St. Petersburg, USAF Academy, Georgia Military College, and Central Florida.

FIRST PITCH

The Raiders embark on their weekend with a doubleheader on Friday, commencing with a matchup against St. Petersburg at 9:00 AM (CST) and followed by a game against USAF Academy at 11:30 AM (CST). Saturday sees the team back on the field for another pair of games, facing off against Georgia Military College at 8:00 AM (CST) and concluding the day against Central Florida at 10:30 AM (CST).

RANKING THE RAIDERS

In the recently released NJCAA Region 8 Preseason Coaches' Polls, NWF earned the prestigious rank of the number two team in the FCSAA. The Raiders accumulated 148 points, positioning them just behind Florida Southwestern, who secured 170 points and 17 first-place votes. Additionally, in the first NJCAA rankings for the year, NWF clinched the second spot with a total of 133 points, trailing behind Florida Southwestern, who received all seven first-place votes.

MAKING HISTORY

Under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Andy Lee in 2023, the Raiders achieved historic milestones, notching a program-record 57 wins. They also tied the school record for conference games won in a season (15), clinching their seventh Panhandle Conference Championship, and earning their first-ever NJCAA National Championship appearance. Although they finished as the runner-up in the NJCAA Region 8 and NJCAA Championship games, falling to Florida Southwestern both times, the Raiders made a significant strides.

KEY RETURNERS

Six key players return to the Raiders from the successful 2023 squad, including Autumn Vessier, Gyvan Hammons, Kamryn Carver, Ashlyn Shirah, Madison Stewart, and Sophia Jones. Hammons, boasting the second-best batting average on the team in 2023 (.421), returns with impressive on-base (.480) and slug (.528) percentages. Sophia Jones, with nine home runs in 2023, remains a powerful force in the Raiders lineup. Ashlyn Shirah, appearing in 37 games last season, recorded a .278 batting average, .321 on-base percentage, and .417 slug percentage.

NEW FACES

The 2024 Raiders will feature 12 new players, including a completely revamped pitching staff. Transfers McKayla Ferguson and Britt Bourgoyne, from Southeastern Louisiana, are set to make their Raider debuts. Ferguson, making ten starts in 44 appearances for the Lions in 2023, brings speed and a .943 fielding percentage. Bourgoyne, an All-state, all-district, and all-metro selection at Brusly High School, showcased her skills in 39 games for the Lions and looks forward to contributing to the Raiders' success this season.

For complete coverage of Northwest Florida State Athletics, visit nwfraiders.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Northwest Florida Raiders), Instagram (@nwfraiders) and X (@NWFRaiders)

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