The North West Florida State Raiders through three games, in the schools debut to the JUCO World Series, have scored 27 runs. On the defensive side they have only allowed two runs through the three games. All this fueled by the team’s energetic energy on every play throughout the game. North West Florida State won their third game in the tournament they beat Chattahoochee Valley 10-1 in eight innings.
The game moved along at a very quick pace as the first inning went five minutes for both half innings. The game made it to the fourth inning under an hour. In the second inning the Raiders defense got a quick inning behind their pitcher Will Luft, when center fielder Mack Hathcock made a Superman layout mid-air catch getting the second out. North West Florida State’s defense continued to shine as Luft, starting pitcher, threw an eight inning complete game only allowing one run for the Pirates. Luft also struck out six batters on 94 pitches. Luft in the sixth inning gave up his no hitter when Chattahoochee Valley finally broke through. The Raiders showered multiple runs throughout the game starting in the third with two runs.
Scary moment happened for North West Florida State batter Tanner Halstead late in the game down 10-1 Chattahoochee Valley put in their third pitcher in Tyler Welch. On the first pitch from Welch to Halstead the ball slips out of Welch’s hand running up hitting Halstead in the head above the left eye. Halstead laid on the field for five minutes before getting up and walking off the field with trainers help into the dugout. Halstead then went to the hospital for further tests, according to family members got CT Scan of head, which was negative. Doctors cleared Halstead to go home, left with his left eye swollen shut.
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