Raiders Walk it Off Again, Advance to Final Four

OXFORD, AL - Northwest Florida pulled off another great comeback as the Raiders came back from a 2-1 deficit in the 7th inning to walk it off with a single up the middle from Layla Thompson to bring in Kamryn Carver and Sydney Stewart to send the Raiders to the Final 4.

Down to their final out, the Raiders never lost faith as they had trailed all game. In the last inning, Sophia Jones led off for Northwest Florida and hit a liner into the right center gap. Seminole State's center fielder laid out and robbed Jones of a lead-off double and the Trojans only needed two more outs to secure a spot in the final four. However, just as the Raiders have done all year, the game wasn't over until the final out. Maycie Hardy drew a walk and Kamryn Carver came in as a pinch runner. Ashlyn Shirah struck out and the Raiders were down to their final out of the season.

In comes Sydney Stewart, who hits one to shortstop and gets the ball to go under her glove. Carver reaches 3rd safely and Stewart pulls off a swim move at second base to avoid a tag and keep the Raiders alive. Seminole State intentionally walked Gyvan Hammons to load the bases for Layla Thompson. Thompson ripped a 1-2 fastball up the middle bringing in Carver and Coach Andy Lee was waving Sydney Stewart to end the game. A wide throw at the plate scored Stewart easily and the celebration started for the Raiders. 

Gyvan Hammons led the Raiders with 2 hits on the night followed with hits from Sydney Stewart, Layla Thompson and Maycie Hardy. Allison Brunson got the start in the circle for Northwest Florida and gave the Raiders one solid inning of work, allowing only one base runner and not giving up a hit. Julia Petty came in relief and pitched a phenomenal game for the Raiders as the sophomore righty went 6.0 IP, allowing 4 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 5.

In their second walk off in 4 games, the Raiders have been battle tested in Oxford and the road to the National Championship game will not be an easy one as the Raiders face Grayson tomorrow at 2:00 PM.

With tonight's win, the 2023 Raider Softball team has set a new single-season wins record with 55, surpassing the 2000 Raider softball team that held the previous record at 54.