Raiders Open Conference Play with Doubleheader Split at Gulf Coast

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Northwest Florida State softball opened Panhandle Conference play Wednesday with a split on the road against No. 23 Gulf Coast, dropping game one 7–3 before bouncing back in a big way with a 15–5 win in game two.

GAME ONE: Northwest Florida 3, Gulf Coast 7

Northwest Florida got off to a strong start, plating the first run of the game in the second inning. Nyla Tretau advanced into scoring position on a passed ball before Anna Grace Griggs delivered an RBI single to give the Raiders a 1–0 lead.

The Raiders added to that advantage in the third when Julie Stevens launched a solo home run to center field, pushing the lead to 2–0.

Gulf Coast answered in the bottom of the third, using a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one. The Commodores then took control in the fourth inning, as a two-run double gave them a 3–2 lead.

Gulf Coast continued to build momentum in the fifth. An RBI single extended the lead to 4–2, followed by a sacrifice fly that made it 5–2.

Northwest Florida responded in the sixth inning, as Tretau came through again with an RBI single to score a run and trim the deficit to 5–3.

However, the Commodores added insurance in the bottom half of the inning. A sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 6–3, and an RBI single capped the scoring at 7–3.

Tretau and Griggs led the Raiders offensively with two hits each, while Tretau, Stevens, and Griggs all recorded RBIs.

In the circle, Marlee Parsons got the start for Northwest Florida, allowing three runs (one earned) over 3.1 innings with three strikeouts. Gulf Coast finished with 12 hits in the game, with Kelley and Lingo each collecting three hits, while Land and Henderson each drove in two runs.

GAME TWO: Northwest Florida 15, Gulf Coast 5

Game two told a completely different story, as the Raiders' offense came alive in a dominant 15-run performance.

After falling behind 1–0 early, Northwest Florida answered in the third inning. Bre Hughes tied the game with an RBI single before Haley Hughes followed with a two-run single to give the Raiders a 3–1 lead.

The Raiders blew the game open in the fourth inning. Savannah Carter launched a solo home run to spark the rally, and Northwest Florida kept pouring it on with a bases-loaded walk, an error that brought in multiple runs, and RBI contributions from Anna Grace Griggs and others to stretch the lead to 9–1.

Gulf Coast tried to respond in the fifth, scoring three runs to cut into the deficit, but Northwest Florida never let the momentum shift.

The Raiders added insurance late, highlighted by Carter's second home run of the game in the seventh. Marlee Parsons and Karson McGowan each delivered RBI doubles, and Northwest Florida continued to take advantage of defensive miscues to push the lead to 15–4.

Northwest Florida finished with 18 hits in the game, with multiple players contributing throughout the lineup. Bre Hughes led the way with three RBIs, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Carter, Hughes, McGowan, Mackenzie Baker, and Griggs all recorded multiple hits, while the Raiders also stayed aggressive on the bases with seven stolen bases.

Carter earned the win in the circle, allowing four runs (three earned) over 4.2 innings. Baker added a scoreless inning in relief to help secure the victory.