Seventh Inning Walk-Off Powers Raiders Past Commodores Tuesday
NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida State Softball grabbed two wins over No. 12 Gulf Coast State on Tuesday following a 10-2 run rule victory in game one, and a 10-9 seventh-inning walk-off in game two of the doubleheader.
GAME ONE
Sister Arnold spearheaded Northwest the Raiders dominant 10-2 victory over the Commodores on Tuesday, driving in four runs on three hits. Arnold set the tone early with a home run to left field in the first inning, bringing in three runs, and followed up with a single in the second inning, adding another run.
The Raiders' offensive explosion was fueled by a six-run onslaught in the fourth inning. Ashlyn Shirah contributed with a homer to left field, scoring two runs, while Britt Bourgoyne added another homer to right field, bringing in two runs. McKayla Ferguson and Hayden Andrews also chipped in with a double each, adding to the scoring frenzy.
Northwest Florida took an early lead in the first inning courtesy of Arnold's home run. However, Gulf Coast responded with Barrett Lawrence's solo home run to center field in the top of the second.
Arnold continued to make an impact, driving in another run with a single in the second inning.
Pitcher Cailyn Heyl secured the win for Northwest Florida State, allowing five hits and two runs over five innings, with one strikeout and no walks. Marissa Barnes started the game for the Commodores, conceding four hits and three runs over one-third of an inning, with no strikeouts and one walk.
The Raiders amassed 12 hits in the game, with Shirah and Arnold leading the charge with three hits each. On the other side, Gulf Coast saw hits from McKenzie Cain, Kali Austerman, Makayla Peters, Charlotte Phillips, and Lawrence.
GAME TWO
The Raiders clinched a thrilling 10-9 walk-off victory against the Commodores in Tuesday's game. The tense matchup reached a climax in the bottom of the seventh inning when Britt Bourgoyne smashed a solo home run to center field, breaking the tie and sealing the win for Northwest Florida State.
The Raiders had established a four-run lead in the fourth inning, but Gulf Coast mounted a fierce comeback. Despite the Raiders' efforts, The Commodores narrowed the gap with a double and a home run.
Gulf Coast surged ahead in the top of the first inning, driven by Mckenzie Cain's sacrifice fly, Barrett Lawrence's RBI single, and Kaylee Navarre's double, which brought in two runs.
Northwest Florida responded swiftly, tying the game in the bottom of the first inning through a hit by pitch, a sacrifice fly by Bourgoyne, a sacrifice bunt by Autumn Vessier, and an error.
In the third inning, Lexi Shelby induced a fielder's choice from Bourgoyne, allowing one run to score and giving Northwest Florida State a 5-4 lead. The Raiders extended their lead with three runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by Ashlyn Shirah's home run to left field.
However, The Commodores turned the tide in the sixth inning, scoring five runs to take a 9-8 lead. Lawrence's three-run homer to center field was a significant blow in the inning. The Raiders rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning, with Christina Mason and Bourgoyne both hitting homers to center field to claim the victory.
Pitcher Cailyn Heyl earned the win for Northwest Florida, while reliever Breana Barnes played a crucial role in securing the victory. Tori Taylor started in the circle for the Raiders.
Shirah and Bourgoyne stood out with three RBIs each for the Raiders, while Sister Arnold led the team with three hits. Hayden Andrews and Gyvan Hammons made their mark on the base paths, stealing multiple bases.