Raiders Add to Historic Season With Undefeated Record at Home
NICEVILLE, Fla. — On Saturday, Ashlyn Shirah showcased her prowess, driving in six runs on three hits to propel Northwest Florida State softball to a commanding 13-2 victory over Pensacola State.
Shirah's performance included a powerful home run to center field in the second inning, driving in two, a clutch double in the third inning for another two RBIs, and a timely single in the fourth, adding two more to the scoreboard.
The Pirates struck first in the opening inning, with Kylee Crowder launching a solo home run to center field. However, Christina Mason's double in the bottom of the first leveled the score at one for the Raiders. In the second inning, Northwest Florida broke the deadlock with an error contributing to one run and Shirah's home run extending the lead to 4-1.
The offensive rally continued in the third inning as Northwest Florida piled on five runs with Autumn Vessier's solo home run, Kamryn Carver's RBI single, Gyvan Hammons's run-scoring single, and Shirah's two-RBI double.
On the pitching front, Cailyn Heyl led the charge for Northwest Florida State, conceding three hits and two runs over four innings. Breana Barnes closed out the game for the Raiders, working a one-two-three fifth inning to seal the victory.
The Raiders dominated at the plate, amassing 11 hits, with Shirah (3) Hammons (2) and McKayla Ferguson (2) leading the charge with multiple hits each. Sister Arnold's disciplined plate approach earned her two walks, contributing to the team's overall patient approach with four walks in total. Additionally, Sophia Jones showcased her speed with two stolen bases, while the team collectively stole five bases, showcasing their aggressive base running.
The 2024 Raiders continue to etch their names into the history books with yet another monumental victory in the 2024 season. With this win, their overall record soars to an impressive 51-3, underscoring their dominance on the field. Notably, they maintain a flawless record at home, boasting 23 consecutive wins. The last time the Raiders achieved such a feat was in 2020, when they secured a perfect 17-0 record in Niceville before the season was abruptly halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As the regular season draws to a close, the Raiders have one final showdown at Chipola before setting their sights on the highly anticipated FCSAA State/Region VII Tournament in Clearwater. Despite currently holding the esteemed title of the state's top-ranked team by the coaches, their seeding in the upcoming tournament hinges on the outcome of these pivotal final games. Excitement mounts as the Raiders eagerly await their fate in the postseason.