NWF Hosts Itawamba in Doubleheader Tomorrow for Season Home Opener
Games 5 & 6
February 3, 2024 | vs. Itawamba (DH) | Niceville, FL | NWF Softball Complex
Game 1: Noon (CST)
Game 2: 2:00 PM (CST)
Links: Live Stream | Scoring
FIRST PITCH
The Raiders are back in Niceville for their 2024 season home opener, gearing up to face Itawamba in a doubleheader at the NWF Softball Complex starting at noon (CST).
Fresh off a strong showing in Clearwater, Fla., where they clinched four consecutive wins against St. Petersburg (8-2), USAF Academy (12-4), Georgia Military College (9-0), and College of Central Florida (11-5), the Raiders are eager to continue their winning streak on home turf.
Meanwhile, for the Tribe, these games against the Raiders will be their third and fourth matchups of the season, having scheduled a doubleheader in Pensacola today (Feb. 2) against Roane State and Pensacola State.
LAST WEEK
Northwest Florida State softball dominated in Clearwater last weekend, clinching four wins to kick off their 2024 season. Displaying their prowess, especially in offense, the Raiders showcased why they began the year ranked second in the nation. Out of the 15 Raiders who stepped up to bat, ten secured multiple hits.
Leading the charge was Ashlyn Shirah, topping the charts with nine hits and eight RBIs. Sister Arnold, honored as the Region 8/FCSAA Player of the Week, had a standout performance with six hits, four home runs, six RBIs, and a steal. Additionally, Gyvan Hammons showcased her skill with seven hits, five RBIs, and four stolen bases, while Mckayla Ferguson contributed with five hits, one home run, six RBIs, and three steals.
On the pitching front, the Raiders deployed four pitchers, yielding only four earned runs out of the 11 allowed. Cailyn Heyl delivered a stellar performance with 10.0 innings pitched, conceding just one unearned run and striking out three. Breanna Barnes and Tory Taylor also delivered solid outings, combining for 13.2 innings pitched and allowing only three earned runs while striking out two batters.
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.
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