Raiders Drop Two One-Run Games Friday

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — No. 20 Northwest Florida State College Baseball suffered a pair of narrow defeats Friday, falling 7–6 to Indian River and 4–3 to Eastern Florida in one-run contests at home. The losses snap the Raiders' unbeaten start to the season and move them to 4–3 overall after opening the year 4–0.

Northwest Florida had chances in both games but could not deliver the decisive blow late. In the opener against Indian River, the Raiders held a lead midway through before a three-run home run in the fifth inning swung momentum in favor of the Pioneers. Game two followed a similar script, as Northwest Florida trailed throughout before mounting a late rally that ultimately came up just short.

Angel Santiago and Nathan Nance paced the Raiders offensively on the day, combining for six hits and two RBIs across the doubleheader. Nance and Anthony Quigley led the team with two RBIs apiece, with Nance launching a home run in each game and Quigley adding a long ball in the opener.

Five different pitchers saw action for Northwest Florida on Friday. Alex Kruse delivered the most efficient outing, throwing 2.1 innings while allowing just one hit and striking out four. Presley Woodson was also effective in game one, surrendering one run over 3.0 innings with two strikeouts.

Game One: Indian River 7, Northwest Florida 6

Indian River struck first in the top of the first inning, using a groundout and a single to center field to plate two runs. Northwest Florida answered immediately in the bottom half, tying the game on a walk by Quigley followed by a passed ball.

The Raiders took control in the second inning. Santiago doubled to center field to drive in one run, and Orlando Fernandez followed with a single down the left-field line to give Northwest Florida a 4–2 advantage.

Northwest Florida added to its lead in the fourth inning when Nance launched a solo home run to left field after a seven-pitch at-bat, pushing the margin to 5–2. Indian River responded in the fifth with a three-run home run to center field, reclaiming the lead at 6–5.

Quigley answered once again for the Raiders, tying the game in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to left field. However, Indian River managed to scratch across the eventual game-winning run later, holding on for the 7–6 victory.

Woodson started for Northwest Florida, allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) over three innings while striking out two and walking two. Indian River's starter surrendered four hits and four runs (three earned) in two innings. The Raiders totaled nine hits in the game, led by Fernandez's 3-for-4 performance. Santiago added two hits, while Northwest Florida also turned two double plays defensively.

Game Two: Eastern Florida 4, Northwest Florida 3

Eastern Florida opened the scoring in the second inning with a two-run home run to left field. Northwest Florida responded in the fourth when Kaden Hart singled to bring home a run, cutting the deficit to 2–1.

The Titans answered in the bottom of the fourth, scoring two more runs on a home run and an RBI single to extend their lead to 4–1. Northwest Florida chipped away in the fifth, scoring on a groundout to pull within two.

The Raiders made their final push in the seventh. Nance led off the inning with an inside-the-park home run to center field, bringing Northwest Florida within one. The tying and go-ahead runs reached base, but Eastern Florida escaped the jam to secure the 4–3 win.

Eli Jones started for the Raiders, allowing five hits and four runs over 3.2 innings with two strikeouts. Six different Raiders recorded hits in the contest, with Hart, Nance, and Hunter Tarchalski each driving in a run.