Commodores dominate in doubleheader sweep over NWF Raiders

Panama City, FL – A strong showing during the sixth inning propelled the Gulf Coast Commodores to a commanding 10-3 victory over Northwest Florida State in Game 1 on Saturday, March 29th, despite south east winds reaching upwards of 18+ mph at Frazier Field.

Trailing 3-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth, the Commodores erupted for seven runs to take down the #3-ranked NWF Raiders.

Alex McCranie started the rally with a single on a hard-hit ground ball to right field. NWF pitcher Alex Walsh then walked Jackson McKenzie, advancing McCranie to second. Bray Touchstone grounded out to first, allowing McCranie and McKenzie to advance to third and second, respectively.

Brody Langlotz delivered a game-changing moment, launching a three-run home run to left field, scoring McCranie and McKenzie to break the tie and put the Commodores up 5-3. The offensive surge continued as Carrington Aaron singled on a line drive to left field.

Collin Lindsey followed with a ground ball that resulted in an error by the NWF 2nd baseman, advancing Aaron to second base. Andrew Johnson capitalized with a hard-hit ground ball to center field, scoring Aaron and moving Lindsey to second. McCranie capped off the inning with his second hit of the frame, a single to left field that scored Colton Wombles and advanced Drew Prosek to third base. By the end of the inning, the Commodores held a dominant 10-3 lead.

Pitching Performance: Starting pitcher Ka'olu Holt threw three and two-thirds innings, allowing six hits and three runs while striking out two. Jacob Price relieved Holt in the fourth inning and earned the win, throwing two and one-third innings with zero hits, zero runs, and two strikeouts. Eze Rojas closed the game with a solid inning, surrendering no hits while striking out one and walking one.

Game 1 Highlights:

• McCranie: 3-4, 3 singles, 1 RBI

• Aaron: 2-3, 2 singles

• Touchstone: 2-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs

• Prosek: double, 2 RBIs

• McKenzie: 1-2, single

• Langlotz: 1-3, HR, 4 RBIs

Commodores maintained their dominance in Game 2, securing a 7-1 victory over NWF to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Bray Touchstone started things off with a two-run home run over left field in the bottom of the 2nd inning giving the Commodores the lead 2-0.  Then in the bottom of the third inning, the Commodores ignited a five-run surge. Andrew Johnson led off by reaching second base on an error by the NWF 2nd baseman. Drew Prosek followed with a line drive to center field and advanced to second on an error, allowing Johnson to score. NWF intentionally walked Alex McCranie, setting the stage for Bray Touchstone, who drew a walk to load the bases.

Brody Langlotz then hit a ground ball to third base, scoring Prosek and advancing McCranie and Touchstone. With the bases still loaded, NWF pitcher Thomas Conrad walked Carrington Aaron, bringing McCranie home and moving the runners up. Colton Masse delivered a clutch at-bat, ripping a line-drive double to left field, driving in two more runs to cap off the inning with a commanding 7-1 lead.

Pitching Performance: Logan Smothers earned the win after allowing just one hit and zero runs over two innings. Starting pitcher Jackson McKenzie threw four innings, surrendering three hits and one run while striking out three and walking three. Ryan Apaliski came in as relief for the final inning, allowing two hits with no strikeouts and no walks.

Game 2 Highlights:

• Prosek: 2-4, 2 singles, 1 RBI

• Johnson: 2-4, 2 singles

• Aaron: 1-1, single

• Touchstone: 1-2, HR, 2 RBIs

• Masse: 1-3, double, 2 RBIs

• McCranie: 1-2, single

• Langlotz: 1-3, single, RBI

With back-to-back dominant performances, the Commodores made a statement against one of the nation's top-ranked teams, solidifying their position as a powerhouse on the field. They look to carry this momentum into their next series vs. Pensacola State as they continue their push for success this season.

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