Posted: May 06, 2024

NWF Softball Opens State Tournament Wednesday Against Seminole State

FCSAA Division I/NJCAA South Atlantic District Softball Championships

May 8-11 | Eddie C. Moore Complex | Clearwater, Fla.

Game 1

#8 Seminole State vs. #1 Northwest Florida

Wednesday, May 8, 9:00 a.m. (CDT)

NICEVILLE, Fla. — It's playoff time, and Northwest Florida State softball is primed for another postseason journey, kicking off with a showdown against eighth-seeded Seminole State in the FCSAA State Tournament's opening round this Wednesday.

The Raiders clinched the top seed in this year's tournament, boasting an impressive 52-3 overall record, including a dominant 19-1 performance in Panhandle Conference action, securing their second consecutive Conference Championship. Now, their sights are set on capturing their inaugural FCSAA/South Atlantic District Championship, but their quest begins with a crucial matchup against Seminole State.

Seminole State enters the tournament on a high note, riding a seven-game win streak to secure the eighth and final spot in this year's event, including a clutch victory over Pensacola State in a do-or-die play-in game. The Seminole Raiders posted a 32-25 regular-season record, including a 21-23 mark in Citrus Conference play, aiming to claim their first FCSAA Division I Championship since 2012.

Northwest Florida and Seminole State will kick off the tournament clash this Wednesday at 9:00 a.m (CDT) at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Florida. The victor of this matchup will advance to face the winner of Central Florida and Gulf Coast State on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. (CDT), while the loser will square off against the loser of the same contest on Thursday at 9:00 a.m (CDT).

NWF RANKINGS

Heading into postseason play, Northwest Florida remains a formidable force, holding the No. 2 spot in the NJCAA rankings and claiming the top position in the FCSAA/Region VIII standings. The team's prowess extends across various hitting and pitching metrics, highlighting their all-around excellence on the field.

The Raiders currently boast impressive rankings in several key categories: they stand 12th in runs scored (503), second in triples (30), 17th in home runs (76), tenth in RBIs (459), 13th in extra base hits (209), 16th in total bases (927), 11th in walks (228), seventh in stolen bases (195), eighth in ERA (2.15), 11th in shutouts (13), and eighth in opponent batting average (.218), among others.

A notable strength lies in the Raiders' batting lineup, with ten players holding batting averages surpassing .300, including three hitters batting over .400. These players also maintain impressive on-base percentages and slugging percentages exceeding .400. Sister Arnold and Ashlyn Shirah have emerged as offensive leaders throughout the season, topping multiple hitting categories for the team.

Arnold ranks first on the team and 14th nationally in RBIs, tallying 76, and leads the team and sits 17th nationally in home runs with 19. Shirah boasts a team-leading batting average of .450, ranks second in RBIs with 73, and leads in stolen bases with 39.

In the pitching circle, Cailyn Heyl has been a dominant force for the Raiders, maintaining a flawless 31-0 win/loss record throughout the season. Her impressive 1.42 ERA places her ninth nationally, accompanied by 111 strikeouts, ranking her among the top 60 pitchers in the NJCAA.

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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