Softball Week 5: Raiders Continue Homestand with Six More Games
NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida continues its month-long homestand this weekend with six more home games, beginning Thursday with a doubleheader against Snow.
The Raiders' perfect start to the season came to an end last week with a one-run loss to Daytona, snapping a 68-game home winning streak that dated back to April 11, 2023. Northwest Florida responded immediately, bouncing back with a win in the second meeting that day and now looks to start a new streak with another full slate of games this weekend.
Who, When, Where
Northwest Florida opens the weekend Thursday with a doubleheader against Snow beginning at 1:00 p.m. Action continues Friday with two games against Louisburg and Snow, before the Raiders close the weekend Saturday with a pair of contests against Louisburg and Lincoln Trail.
Thursday, February 19
• 1:30 p.m. — No. 1 Northwest Florida vs. Snow
• 3:00 p.m. — No. 1 Northwest Florida vs. Snow
Friday, February 20
• 10:00 a.m. — No. 1 Northwest Florida vs. Louisburg
• 2:00 p.m. — No. 1 Northwest Florida vs. Snow
Saturday, February 21
• 10:00 a.m. — No. 1 Northwest Florida vs. Louisburg
• 2:00 p.m. — No. 1 Northwest Florida vs. Lincoln Trail
Last Week
The Raiders opened last week with a 4–0 start, earning two wins against Reid State on Tuesday before picking up victories over Olney and Daytona on Friday. Northwest Florida then suffered its first loss of the season—and first home loss in nearly three years—falling to Daytona 8–7 on Saturday morning. The Raiders nearly erased an 8–0 deficit, rallying to within one run before coming up just short.
Northwest Florida rebounded in the nightcap with a dominant 13–0 win over Olney, as Savannah Carter, Mallory Baker, and AJ Vineski combined for a five-inning no-hitter.
Karson McGowan had a breakout week, leading the Raiders in hits (9), home runs (2), and RBIs (12). Jaci Gary continued her hot streak with 10 RBIs, pushing her team-leading total to 24, while collecting eight hits and adding a home run.
The pitching staff was outstanding once again, allowing just five earned runs across six games while striking out 37 batters. Marlee Parsons led the staff in innings pitched (11.0) and strikeouts (14), including 10 punchouts in Tuesday's opener against Reid State. Savannah Carter tossed 8.0 innings across three appearances, allowing no earned runs on three hits while striking out 11, including six against Reid State.
Additional Notes
• Northwest Florida's home winning streak ended at 68 games, with the previous home loss occurring April 11, 2023.
• Outfielders Jaci Gary and Haley Hughes continue to pace the offense. Hughes leads the team in hits (21), triples, and runs scored (25), while Gary leads in RBIs (24) and doubles (6). Both share the team lead in home runs with four.
• Karson McGowan extended her on-base streak to 10 games and has recorded a hit in 14 of her last 16 contests.
• Marlee Parsons leads the pitching staff in innings pitched (42.2) and strikeouts (42), allowing just five earned runs on the season. Mallory Baker owns the team's lowest ERA (0.538), surrendering just two earned runs in 26.0 innings. Savannah Carter has added S23.1 innings with four earned runs and 37 strikeouts.
• The Raiders rank top five nationally in 13 statistical categories, including first in runs, RBIs, walks, stolen bases, and pitching shutouts.