NWF Defeats Wallace State 11-3 in Five Innings on Day two in Oxford
OXFORD, Ala. – Northwest Florida State softball secured another win in Oxford, Ala., following an 11-run, ten-hit performance over Wallace State, capped off with a fifth-inning walk-off by Christina Mason.
Cailyn Heyl started in the circle for the Raiders once again, making her second straight appearance after throwing seven shutout innings in yesterday's game. After a rough first inning, giving up three runs on two hits, including a two-run home run, Heyl was able to navigate through the Lions lineup without allowing another run the remainder of the game.
The Raiders' victory was a testament to their collective effort. The offense, led by Gyvan Hammons, Britt Bourgoyne, Autumn Vessier, and Hayden Andrew's, converted ten hits - all singles - into 11 runs. Hammons and Mason each brought in a pair of runs, with Mason leading the team with three RBIs.
The Raiders opened up their offensive onslaught with a three-run first inning, starting with Hammons scoring on a passed ball. Shortly after, Vessier hit a single into left field, allowing two more runs to cross, bringing the game back to even at three apiece.
Northwest Florida added four more runs in the bottom of the third thanks to back-to-back RBI singles from Andrews and Ferguson and a two-out, two-RBI single by Hammons, making it a 7-3 Raider lead. The Raiders added two more in the fourth using a Autumn Vessier bloop single and Lions error, giving them a 9-3 lead.
Heading to the fifth, the Raiders were looking to close the book on the Lions, needing two runs to earn the victory. An Ashlyn Shirah walk and a Sister Arnold hit by pitch brought Mason up to the plate with a chance to win. Mason executed a bunt single, which turned into a Lions error, allowing Shirah and Ella Davis to score, ending the game.
The Raiders' impressive win sets the stage for an exciting rematch. Tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. on the Choccolocco Park Signature field in Oxford, Ala., they will face off against No. 2 seed Indian River. This game is a rematch of the FCSAA/Region VIII Championship game, which saw the Indians take a decisive 5-0 victory over the Raiders. The winner of this game will move to Friday's semifinal matchup for a spot in the National Championship game Saturday afternoon.