Raiders Run-Rule Tallahassee 13-3, Keep Postseason Hopes Alive

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida baseball opened its four-game series against Tallahassee State with a 13-3 run-rule victory Tuesday, moving one step closer to the postseason and securing at least a top-three finish in conference play behind Gulf Coast and Chipola.

The Raiders struck early and never looked back, providing starter Alex Kruse with a comfortable cushion. Kruse took full advantage, delivering a strong outing on the mound. The left-hander allowed just three runs on five hits while striking out eight, surpassing his total from his previous start.

Offensively, Northwest Florida got production throughout the lineup, with Tristan Bittle and Sam Bradley leading the way from the bottom of the order. Both turned in multi-hit performances and drove in two runs apiece. Bradley delivered the finishing blow with a walk-off single in the fifth inning. Xavier Rivera and Anthony Quigley also added two hits each in the win.

The Raiders broke through in the second inning when Hunter Tarchalski lined a two-run triple to center, scoring Quigley and Brock Clayton. Bittle followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.

Northwest Florida put the game out of reach in the third, plating seven runs. RBI singles from Clayton and Bittle sparked the rally, while walks by Nathan Nance and Angel Santiago forced in two more. Orlando Fernandez added a sacrifice fly, and Rivera capped the inning with an RBI single to push the lead to 10-0.

Tallahassee State answered with a three-run homer in the fourth, but the Raiders quickly responded. In the fifth, Clayton drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run before Bradley's two-run single to center ended the game via run rule.

With a top-three finish now locked in, Northwest Florida remains in the hunt to host a postseason series. A sweep of Tallahassee State combined with help from Gulf Coast against Chipola could move the Raiders into the top two. If not, Northwest Florida will still be in strong position for an at-large bid to the FCSAA Tournament, with selection likely hinging on its résumé compared to teams from the Citrus Conference.