Posted: Feb 02, 2024
PANAMA CITY, Fla.- One week ago the #16 Florida SouthWestern State Buccaneers opened their 2024 season against the #6 Northwest Florida State Raiders with Northwest putting it on the Bucs to the tune of a 20-10 run rule win. Friday, the two teams met again in the first round of the Visit Panama City Beach College Classic where there were 21 less runs scored in the game, but in the end the result was the same as the Raiders doubled up the Bucs 6-3 to send FSW to the consolation bracket at the event.
The Raiders struck first, using a leadoff single in the 1st to manufacture a run and take an early 1-0 lead.
Nate Earley leveled the score with one swing of the bat in the top of the 2nd, drilling a 2-2 pitch over the wall in center to tie the score at 1-1.
Bucs starter Alex Walsh worked his way out of jam in the bottom of the 2nd and worked an unconventional 1-2-3 inning in the 3rd to keep the score tied after three innings of play.
The Bucs offense rewarded him in their next at bats as Justin Thomas launched his second home run of the season to leadoff the FSW 4th to put the Bucs in front 2-1.
The lead was short lived though as Northwest answered once again, getting a two run long ball of their own in the bottom half of the 4th to retake a 3-2 advantage before adding to more runs to up their lead to 5-2 at the end of four.
After two quick outs in the 5th, the Bucs put together a rally, loading the bases on a pair of singles and a hit batter. After working the count full and fouling off a pair of two strike pitches, Thomas was drilled in the back by a pitch, forcing a run home and moving the tying run into scoring position. The Bucs momentum was brought to a halt on a strikeout to end the inning as they went to the 6th trailing the Raiders 5-3.
Northwest added an insurance run in the 6th to push their lead to three, but it wouldn't factor in as FSW was unable to get anything going in their final at bats in the 7th and fell 6-3.
The Raiders outhit the Bucs 11-6 in the contest while both teams played errorless baseball over seven innings. Michael McAloose was the lone Buc to record a multi-hit game, going 2-3 with a run scored. Walsh was tagged with the loss, allowing eight hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings. Jordan Huskey struck out four in 2 1/3 of relief for FSW.
The Bucs fall to 2-3 on the year with the loss while Northwest Florida improves to 2-2.
The Bucs drop to the consolation bracket where they will try to work their way back to a 9th place finish in the tournament. That route will start Saturday at 2 PM Eastern when they take on Andrew who lost to Wabash Valley in their opening round matchup.