BSB Week 7: Raiders Close Non-Conference Slate, Open Panhandle Play at No. 1 Chipola
NICEVILLE, Fla. — Week seven has arrived, and with it comes the start of Panhandle Conference action. Northwest Florida will wrap up non-conference play Tuesday before opening league competition this weekend against top-ranked Chipola.
Who, When, Where
The Raiders hit the road Tuesday for their final non-conference contest, traveling to Dothan, Alabama to face Wallace-Dothan.
Conference play begins Friday in Marianna as Northwest Florida takes on No. 1 Chipola in the Panhandle opener. The Raiders then return home Saturday to host the Indians in the second game of the weekend set.
Schedule
Tuesday, March 3
• 12:00 p.m. — No. 17 Northwest Florida at Wallace-Dothan
Friday, March 6
• 5:00 p.m. — No. 17 Northwest Florida at No. 1 Chipola
Saturday, March 7
• 1:00 p.m. — No. 17 Northwest Florida vs. No. 1 Chipola
Last Week
Northwest Florida picked up a pair of run-rule victories over John Melvin on Tuesday and Wednesday. Joe Cable and Sam Bradley powered a 17-5 win in the opener, with Cable tallying three hits and two RBIs while Bradley drove in three, highlighted by a two-run homer in the second inning.
Nathan Nance paced Wednesday's 17-3 victory, blasting two home runs and driving in four RBIs. Aiden Torrez earned the win on the mound, tossing 4.0 innings and allowing one earned run on two hits while striking out six.
Over the weekend, the Raiders dropped their series against Pearl River but avoided the sweep with a win in the finale. Northwest Florida fell 18-8 in Friday's opener as the Wildcats racked up 19 hits, including four home runs. In Saturday's second game, the Raiders built a nine-run first inning lead but were edged 10-9 as Pearl River mounted a comeback.
The Raiders responded in game three with a 9-6 victory behind three-hit performances from Bradley and Brock Clayton. Clayton drove in three runs, while both Clayton and Cable added home runs in the win.
Additional Notes
• Orlando Fernandez ranks fifth nationally in both hits (34) and doubles (11). He is batting .423 with five home runs and 27 RBIs.
• Anthony Quigley leads the team with six home runs and is hitting .408 with 22 RBIs and 13 walks.
• Angel Santiago is second on the team in hits (28) and RBIs (22), slashing .485 with four home runs and 13 walks.
• Hunter Tarchalski tops the squad with a .438 batting average, adding 24 hits, two home runs, and 15 RBIs.
• Aiden Torrez owns a team-best 3.06 ERA across 14.2 innings, striking out 20 while allowing just five earned runs.
• Tucker Delisle leads the pitching staff with 26 strikeouts, followed by KJ Hart with 21.
• Northwest Florida's offense ranks among the NJCAA leaders: third in hits (256), third in total bases (443), fourth in stolen bases (66), fifth in extra-base hits (98), seventh in home runs (39) and RBIs (199), and eighth in doubles (48).