Northwest Florida Splits Doubleheader with Chipola

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida softball earned a split in Saturday's doubleheader against Chipola, cruising to an 8–0 run-rule victory in game one before falling 6–2 in game two. The loss marked just the Raiders' second conference defeat and fourth overall on the season.

The top of the lineup powered Northwest Florida in the opener, as Bre Hughes, Karson McGowan, and Savannah Carter combined to go 8-for-11 with five RBIs. Hughes reached base in all four plate appearances, finishing 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, while McGowan also tallied three hits. Carter added two hits and a team-high three RBIs, including a home run.

Game One: Northwest Florida 8, Chipola 0

The Raiders struck early, opening the scoring in the first inning behind an RBI single from Carter. They broke things open in the fourth, plating three runs highlighted by Carter's two-run homer and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Hughes.

Hughes added a solo shot in the fifth to extend the lead, and Northwest Florida sealed the run-rule victory in the sixth with RBI singles from Hughes and Anna Grace Griggs.

Carter was dominant in the circle, tossing a one-hit shutout over six innings while striking out seven. The Raiders totaled 14 hits in the win, with Hughes and McGowan each collecting three. Mallory Baker chipped in with two hits, and the team showed patience at the plate with six walks while also swiping three bases.

Game Two: Chipola 6, Northwest Florida 2

Chipola responded in the nightcap, jumping out to an early lead with a two-run home run in the first and extending the advantage to 3–0 in the second.

Northwest Florida answered in the bottom half of the inning, as Jaci Gary launched a solo home run and Haley Hughes came around to score on a passed ball, trimming the deficit to 3–2.

However, Chipola regained control, adding runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to pull away for the 6–2 win. The Raiders' offense was limited to just three hits in the game.

Mallory Baker took the loss after allowing five runs over five innings of work. Gary led the Raiders with an RBI, while Haley Hughes and Julie Stevens accounted for the other hits. Defensively, Northwest Florida remained solid, finishing the game without committing an error.