LAKELAND, Fla.- The #11 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers offense got off to a hot start Thursday night in their FCSAA State Tournament matchup with Northwest Florida State, scoring four runs in the 1st inning, but they went cold from there as the Raiders scored nine unanswered in the final eight innings for a 12-4 victory to send the Bucs to the elimination bracket starting on Friday.
It was a rough start for the Bucs as Northwest Florida State plated three runs with two outs in the top half of the first inning to give the Raiders a 3-0 lead before FSW even got a chance to swing the bat for the first time.
The Bucs responded right away. Abimelec Ortiz found a hole on the right side of the infield for an RBI single to get FSW on the board and after a Raider error gifted the Bucs another run, Carter Cunningham ripped one through the right side to score Ortiz from third to tie the game at 3. The Bucs took the lead moments later when Yadiel Santana beat out a potential double play ball to bring a run home and give FSW a 4-3 lead after a wild 1st inning of action.
The lead didn't last long for the Bucs. Northwest struck back right away, getting a pair of two out singles to plate two runs in the 2nd to push back in front 5-4.
The Bucs had to go to the bullpen in the 3rd and it provided little relief. Three straight walks loaded the bases with nobody out and after a strikeout, their fourth walk of the inning forced a run home to make it 6-4.
FSW had a chance to get back in it in the 4th, putting two on with nobody out to start the frame, but they weren't able to push anything across as Northwest Florida remained in front 6-4 after four.
The Raiders took advantage of the momentum after getting out of the jam, scoring two more in the 5th to extend their lead to 8-4.
After a quick 1-2-3 bottom of the 5th for the Bucs, Northwest Florida tacked on another run without hitting the ball out of the infield, using three walks and a bunt single to cushion their lead to 9-4.
Northwest Florida pushed lone runs across in the final three innings to open up their lead to 12-4 and the Bucs never threatened again as the Raiders went on to win by the count of 12-4 to send FSW to the elimination bracket.
FSW was outhit 15 to 7 in the game and allowed 13 free passes on the mound. Ortiz was the lone Buc with multiple hits in the game, going 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Alex Ayala suffered his first loss in 12 starts, lasting just two innings and allowing seven hits and five runs, all earned, to fall to 8-3 on the year.
The Bucs fall to 43-15 on the year with the loss while Northwest Florida improves to 31-15.
FSW drops to the elimination bracket of the tournament where they will play with their season on the line Friday at 1 PM against Seminole State.