Nance’s Power Surge Lifts Northwest Florida Past John Melvin, 17-3

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Nathan Nance launched two home runs and drove in four runs as Northwest Florida rolled to a 17-3 victory over John Melvin University on Wednesday in Niceville.

Sam Bradley opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first inning before John Melvin evened the game at 1-1 with a solo home run in the second.

Northwest Florida quickly regained control in the bottom half of the second when Nance blasted a two-run homer to left, giving the Raiders a 3-1 lead. The offense erupted again in the third, plating five runs on three hits. Bradley connected on a solo shot to left, Hunter Tarchalski added an RBI single, Nance delivered his second two-run homer of the game, and Angel Santiago drove in a run on a groundout to extend the advantage.

The Raiders continued to pour it on. Orlando Fernandez launched a two-run homer in the fifth, and Northwest Florida broke the game open in the sixth with five more runs. Joe Cable homered to center for two runs, Xavier Rivera tripled home a run, Santiago followed with an RBI single, and Bradley drew a bases-loaded walk to cap the scoring.

Aiden Torrez earned the win on the mound, allowing one run on two hits over four innings while striking out six and walking one. Anthony St. Vincent added a scoreless inning in relief, striking out two without allowing a hit.

Northwest Florida finished with 14 hits in the contest. Bradley led the way with a 3-for-3 performance, while Rivera, Santiago, and Tarchalski each recorded multiple hits. Fernandez drew two walks as the Raiders showed discipline at the plate, totaling eight walks overall.

Anthony Quigley swiped two bases as part of a six-steal effort for Northwest Florida. The Raiders were flawless defensively, committing no errors, with Rivera recording a team-high 10 defensive chances