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Tallahassee, FL
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vs Gulf Coast State College
Niceville, Fla.
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Northwest Florida Set to Play Five Games at Mardi Gras Invite in Louisiana
Posted: Jan 30, 2025

Northwest Florida Set to Play Five Games at Mardi Gras Invite in Louisiana

 

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Last weekend, Northwest Florida State softball opened their 2025 season with a clean sweep over one of the best division II opponents in the country in Louisburg College, defeating the Hurricanes on Saturday with back-to-back run-rule walk-offs, then with another run rule on Sunday.

Now, the Raiders will get their first taste of road action as they get set to play five games in the upcoming Mardi Gras Invitational in Youngsville, La. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Raiders will play a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday, followed by a lone game on Sunday to cap off the weekend.

 

ON DECK

Mardi Gras Softball Invitational – Youngsville, LA

  • Game 1: Friday, January 31 – 3:30 p.m.
  • #4 Northwest Florida vs. Angelina College
  • Game 2: Friday, January 31 – 6:00 p.m.
  • #4 Northwest Florida vs. Bossier Parish
  • Game 3: Saturday, February 1 – 10:00 a.m.
  • #4 Northwest Florida vs. Alvin CC
  • Game 4: Saturday, February 1 – 12:30 p.m.
  • #4 Northwest Florida vs. Lamar State-Port Arthur
  • Game 5: Sunday, February 2 – 10:00 a.m.
  • #4 Northwest Florida vs. UA Rich Mountain

Streaming Info: TBA

 

LAST WEEK

Northwest Florida opened their season last week in impressive fashion, sweeping formidable division II opponent Louisburg College with a pair of Saturday walk-off victories (9-1, 13-3) and a run-rule victory on Sunday (11-3).

Karson McGowen led the way for the Raiders offensively. The freshman outfielder drove in seven runs on four hits, including two doubles and two home runs. Behind McGowen was Bre Hughes, who tallied five RBIs on four hits, including a triple and two home runs. Her first home run was a three-run walk-off homer to give the Raiders the win in game one of the series.

The Raiders saw three pitchers take the circle for them last week: Cailyn Heyl (7.0 innings), Mallory Baker (5.0 innings), and Breana Barnes (3.0 innings) all saw action for the Raiders. Heyl started in game one and worked in some relief in game three. The All-American punched out seven batters, allowing three earned runs and one walk. Baker fanned six batters in her game-two start and only allowed three hits and two earned runs. Barned stuck out four hitters in her limited work, surrendering just one run.

 

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION

Last season, Northwest Florida ranked among the top offensive units in the NJCAA across multiple categories. The Raiders seem to have begun their 2025 season right where they left off in 2024. In their first three games, the Raiders have amassed 29 runs, 29 hits, 19 extra base hits including eight home runs, 67 total bases and 14 walks to just three stakeouts. Their team batting average sits at .433 while there on base percentage is .548 and their slugging percentage is an even 1.000.

 

RETURNING FOR THE RAIDERS

This year's squad has a new look, returning just four players from last season: Sister Arnold, Cailyn Heyl, Hayden Andrews, and Breana Barnes. Arnold and Heyl headline the returning players after stellar freshman seasons that earned both First-Team All-America honors.

Arnold posted a .398 batting average over 64 games with 82 hits, 20 home runs, and 81 RBIs—setting a single-season program record for RBIs. She ranked 16th in the NJCAA for home runs, 12th for RBIs, and 17th in total bases (160). Arnold was named Panhandle Conference Player of the Year and a First-Team Region VIII selection. She also secured NFCA All-Region and All-American recognition.

Heyl dominated in the circle, setting a program record with 37 wins—leading the NJCAA in that category. She also topped the conference with a 1.60 ERA and 131 strikeouts while ranking 3rd in innings pitched (218.8), 7th in shutouts (7), and 5th in complete games (25). Heyl was named Panhandle Conference and Region VIII Pitcher of the Year, in addition to her First-Team All-America honors. Heyl was also an NFCA All-Region and All-American recipient.

 

AT THE HELM

Six-time national champion head coach Andy Lee enters his sixth season as the Raiders head coach. In his first five seasons with the Raiders, Lee has accumulated 217 total wins, culminating in back-to-back Panhandle Conference Championships in 2023 and 2024, a National Championship appearance in 2023, and a NJCAA Final Four finish in 2024.

Lee and his team have broken the program's single season record for wins in back-to-back seasons. First in 2023, when his squad won 57 games, shattered the single-season home run record (97), and made its first national title appearance. Then again, last year, they won 58 games en route to another Panhandle Conference title, NJCAA World Series appearance, and a national fourth-place finish.

Lee came to Niceville with over a decade of collegiate head coaching experience and a combined record of 674-174 (.794 winning percentage), including stints at LSU-Eunice and Hinds Community College.

In his 11 seasons as the head coach at LSU-Eunice, Lee was instrumental in turning the Bengals' softball program into a perennial powerhouse. Under Lee's command, the Bengals made 11 Region 23 Tournaments and nine National Tournaments and won six national championships with one national runner-up finish.

Before his time at LSU-Eunice, Lee began his collegiate coaching career at Hinds Community College. He spent three seasons as the head coach of the Eagles' program and led them to a 92-65 overall record from 2006-2008.