Raiders Earn Two Wins Sunday Following Back-to-Back Sixth Inning Rallies

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida State softball secured two more wins Sunday afternoon following their 5-3 and 7-2 victories over Luisiana State University-Eunice.

The Raiders relied on a pair of sixth-inning comebacks in both games to defeat the Bengals. The Raiders were down 3-1 in game one before scoring four runs in the sixth to take the lead. In game two, the Raiders trailed the Bengals 2-0 before erupting for seven runs in the sixth, securing their seventh straight win. 

The Raiders now move to 28-2 on the season and have outscored their opponents 282-86. The team looks to close out their non-conference schedule tomorrow afternoon with two more victories against Rocky Valley and Copiah Lincoln before taking on Tallahassee next week (March 20).

GAME ONE

The Raiders seized control late in their 5-3 triumph over the the Bengals on Sunday. The game remained deadlocked at three in the bottom of the sixth until Ashlyn Shirah's timely double brought in two crucial runs.

LSUE drew first blood in the opening inning, capitalizing on an error to take an early lead. However, Northwest Florida responded in the third, with Sister Arnold's sacrifice fly knotting the score at one apiece.

It was the Bengals' turn to surge ahead in the sixth, courtesy of Kate Rills' double, which plated two runs, giving them a 3-1 advantage. But the Raiders rallied in the bottom of the sixth, fueled by doubles from Britt Bourgoyne, Gyvan Hammons, and Shirah, propelling them to a 5-3 lead.

Cailyn Heyl earned the win for Northwest Florida, pitching a solid seven innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three. Lady Bengals' Reagan Rios started strong but ultimately took the loss, surrendering six hits and five runs over six innings.

Shirah, Hammons, and Bourgoyne led the Raiders' offense, each tallying two hits, with Shirah also delivering two crucial RBIs. Sophia Jones displayed discipline at the plate, drawing two walks for the team.

GAME TWO

The Bengals struck first in the opening inning, with Katie Salling's groundout and McKenna Howell's single driving in a run each.

However, the Raiders mounted a formidable comeback in the bottom of the sixth, exploding for seven runs on five hits to surge ahead 7-2. Autumn Vessier's pivotal double, which brought in two runs, proved to be the highlight of the inning.

Tori Taylor pitched effectively for Northwest Florida, allowing zero runs on four hits over five innings to earn the win. Breana Barnes also contributed, allowing two runs over two innings.

Kaylee Chandler started on the mound for the Bengals, giving up three runs (one earned) over two-thirds of an inning.

Sister Arnold, Christina Mason, and Britt Bourgoyne led the Raiders offense with two hits each. Vessier and Gyvan Hammons were instrumental, each driving in two runs. The team executed one double play during the game.

For the Bengals, Salling and Howell stood out, driving in one run each. Hadley Lemons, Gracee Hess, and Howell each collected two hits.

UP NEXT

The Raiders will be back in action tomorrow when they get ready to take on Rocky Valley at 10:00 AM, and Copiah-Lincoln at 3:00 PM from the NWF Softball Complex.