Santiago, Hart Power Offensive Explosion as Raiders Roll Past Coastal Alabama-South

BAY MINETTE, Ala. — If you only glanced at the final score, you might have mistaken Tuesday's matchup for a football game. Instead, Northwest Florida State baseball put on an offensive showcase, erupting for 21 runs in a 21–8 win over Coastal Alabama-South, fueled by massive days from Angel Santiago and Kaden Hart.

The game opened as a back-and-forth slugfest, with both lineups swinging hot bats early. Hunter Tarchalski got the Raiders on the board first, lining an RBI single to center in the opening inning. Coastal Alabama answered in the second with a two-run home run to take a brief 2–1 lead.

Santiago flipped the momentum in the third, launching the first of his two home runs on the day to give Northwest Florida a 3–2 advantage. The Coyotes quickly countered in the bottom half with a three-run homer of their own, reclaiming the lead at 5–3.

The Raiders' response came loud and clear in the fourth. Santiago and Hart each went deep in the inning, sparking a four-run surge that pushed Northwest Florida back in front, 7–5. Coastal Alabama again answered, plating two runs to tie the game at seven, but Hart wasted no time restoring the lead, crushing a solo shot to left later in the frame to make it 9–7.

From that point on, the Raiders seized full control. Northwest Florida added three runs in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run home run from Anthony Quigley, then tacked on two more in the eighth before erupting for seven runs in the ninth to put the game out of reach.

Santiago turned in a career day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two home runs, a walk, and seven RBIs. Hart was just as impactful, finishing 3-for-6 with two home runs and six RBIs. Together, the duo accounted for 13 of the Raiders' 21 runs and combined for 21 total bases.

The offensive depth was on full display as well, with Tristan Bittle (2-for-6), Orlando Fernandez (3-for-6), Brock Clayton (2-for-4), Anthony Quigley (2-for-4), and Joe Cable (3-for-5) all recording multiple hits.

On the mound, Brady Marin got the start for Northwest Florida before giving way to Braley Garrett, Damian Brown, and Anthony St. Vincent out of the bullpen. Brown and St. Vincent shut the door late, combining for 3.0 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out four to silence the Coyotes down the stretch.

On Deck

Northwest Florida returns home this weekend for its home opener against Motlow State, hosting doubleheaders on both Friday and Saturday beginning at noon. The series opens a 14-game homestand that will carry the Raiders through the end of the month.