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THE OFFICIAL ATHLETICS WEBSITE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE
Softball Fri, Feb 21 11:00 AM
vs Northwest-Shoals Community College
Niceville, Fla.
Softball Fri, Feb 21 4:00 PM
vs Blinn College
Niceville, Fla.
Softball Sat, Feb 22 10:00 AM
vs Blinn College
Niceville, Fla.
Softball Sat, Feb 22 3:00 PM
vs Northwest-Shoals Community College
Niceville, Fla.
Softball Mon, Feb 24 1:00 PM
vs Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
Niceville, Fla. - Doubleheader
McGowan Powers Raiders to Game Three Victory, Raiders Sweep Hurricanes to Open the Season

McGowan Powers Raiders to Game Three Victory, Raiders Sweep Hurricanes to Open the Season

 

NICEVILLE, Fla. – Karson McGowan delivered a standout performance on Sunday, driving in four runs on two hits to propel Northwest Florida State softball to an 11-3 victory over Louisburg College, finishing off the opening weekend sweep.

McGowan blasted a three-run homer to center field and added an RBI double, both in a dominant fourth inning.

The Raiders exploded for nine runs in the fourth, breaking the game wide open. Highlights of the inning included McGowan's double and home run, Mallory Baker's RBI single and Lillie Piersol's two-run single.

Louisburg College initially took the lead in the second inning with a solo home run by Pickett. The Raiders quickly responded in the bottom of the inning with a Baker triple and a run scored on a wild pitch to claim a 2-1 advantage. Pickett struck again for Louisburg in the fourth with a two-run homer to briefly regain the lead, but Northwest Florida's offensive outburst later in the inning proved decisive.

 

Pitching highlights

Bre Barnes started in the circle for the Raiders, tossing three innings while allowing one run on two hits, striking out four, and issuing no walks. Cailyn Heyl appeared in relief to close out the game, pitching two innings while allowing just two earned runs.

For Louisburg, Hall started and pitched three innings, surrendering six runs on five hits.

 

Offensive leaders

McGowan and Baker each tallied two hits for the Raiders, who showed patience at the plate with five walks. Sara Watson and Hailey Henry drew two walks apiece. The Raiders played error-free defense, with Henry leading the way with six defensive plays.

Pickett shined for Louisburg, driving in all three of the Hurricanes' runs with her two homers and finishing 2-for-2.

 

Looking Ahead

The Raiders open the season emphatically with a three-game sweep of the Hurricanes, but will now have their first road tests of the season as they prepare to play their next nine game away from Niceville.

First, the team heads to Youngsville, La. Where they will play five games in the Mardi Gras Classic. From there, the team will head east to Panama City for the PCB JUCO softball showdown where they will have four more opponents waiting for them.

The Raiders will return home on February 11 and 12 where they are set to host back-to-back doubleheaders against Coastal Alabama-South and Enterprise State.