Offensive Showcase Ends in 18-8 Loss at Pearl River

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — A high-scoring affair unfolded Friday in Poplarville, but Northwest Florida came up short in an 18-8 loss to Pearl River. Pearl River racked up 19 hits, while the Raiders finished with seven.

Joe Cable drove in four runs to lead Northwest Florida offensively, going 1-for-3 at the plate.

Pearl River struck first in the bottom of the opening inning with a solo home run to center field and an RBI single down the right-field line. Northwest Florida answered in the second. Tristan King brought in a run on a groundout, and Matthew Scott followed with an RBI single to even the score.

Pearl River responded with three consecutive RBI singles in the bottom of the second to take a 5-2 lead. In the third, a three-run homer to right field pushed Pearl River back in front, 8-7. King delivered again in the top of the fifth with an RBI single that tied the game at 8-8.

The momentum shifted for good in the bottom of the fifth as Pearl River erupted for five runs on four hits to build a 13-8 advantage. The decisive blow came on a three-run home run to left field on an 0-2 count.

Eli Jones started on the mound for Northwest Florida, allowing seven runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings while striking out four and walking four. KJ Hart tossed three innings in relief, surrendering eight runs on eight hits with one strikeout and three walks.

Hunter Tarchalski paced the Raiders with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Defensively, Northwest Florida was flawless, committing no errors. Tarchalski also led the team with 10 fielding chances.