Raiders Fall Just Short Against Pensacola in Series Opener

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida baseball had a chance to tie things in the bottom of the ninth, but came up just short in a 5–4 loss to Pensacola State on Tuesday night in the opener of a four-game series.

The Raiders struck first in the opening inning when Orlando Fernandez launched a solo home run to left field, giving Northwest Florida an early 1–0 lead.

Pensacola responded in the fourth, capitalizing on a two-run single to take a 2–1 advantage. The Pirates added to their lead in the sixth with an RBI double and a run-scoring groundout, extending the margin to 4–1.

Northwest Florida answered in the bottom half of the sixth with a big inning of its own. Brock Clayton delivered an RBI single to cut into the deficit, and Xavier Rivera followed with a two-run double to even the game at 4–4.

Pensacola regained the lead in the seventh, scoring what proved to be the game-winning run on a defensive miscue.

The Raiders continued to battle late, putting the tying run on base in the ninth inning, but were unable to come through with the clutch hit to complete the comeback.

Northwest Florida totaled nine hits on the night, with Rivera leading the way from the eight spot in the lineup. The catcher went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Fernandez and Clayton also recorded two hits apiece. Defensively, the Raiders turned two double plays.

Pensacola finished with 11 hits in the contest, doing just enough to hold off Northwest Florida down the stretch.