Devo tosses one-hitter, Raiders win 3-1

NHS 3-1 Gulf Breeze

Navarre senior Devonte "Devo" Taylor pitched a complete-game one-hitter Friday and doubled home the Raiders' first run in a 3-1 baseball win at Gulf Breeze.

All of the scoring came after Taylor and Dolphin starter Dallas Biederman practically mirrored each other through five scoreless innings. In that span, Taylor faced 16 batters, struck out five and walked none. He allowed just one hit, an infield single by Taylor Webb in the first. Max McDaniel reached on an error in the second but was erased when Navarre second baseman Chris Wheeler speared Trey Baker's line drive and threw to first to double-up McDaniel. Navarre's Jarrett Zimmerly stole a hit from Taylor Busbee with a diving catch in the fourth inning.

Biederman, meanwhile, also faced 16 batters, allowing two walks and a hit while striking out nine Raiders. Navarre third baseman Cale Secondine rapped a solid single up the middle with one out in the second but Kyle Camilli grounded into a double-play. Gavin Wehbi walked with one out in the third inning, but Dolphins' first baseman Cameron Davies leaped to nab Dusty Jones' hard-hit liner and tagged Wehbi trying to get back to first.

The Raiders scored in the top of the sixth when Jones drew a two-out walk against a Dolphin relief pitcher. Pinch runner Brendan White moved to first on Jake Terry's single and scored when Taylor doubled to right field.

In the bottom of the sixth, Davies reached on an error and pinch runner Matt Paule stole second and advanced to third on Kyle McGee's deep drive caught by Zimmerly in center field. Navarre second baseman Chris Wheeler fielded Justin Ratte's grounder but Paule beat his throw to the plate, tying the game. Ratte stole second and reached third on Busbee's line drive to Terry in right field. Taylor got Webb to strike out swinging to end the threat.

The Raiders scratched out the go-ahead runs in the top of the seventh with bunts and good base-running. Justin Jordan started the rally with a leadoff single. Kyle Rogers, running for Jordan, went to second when the pitcher threw Cale Secondine's bunt into center field. Rogers and Secondine advanced when Camilli beat out a bunt single. Brendan White grounded to third, but Rogers beat Ratte's throw to the plate for what would be the winning run.

With one out, Secondine scored on Jones' deep sacrifice fly to center field.

Taylor retired the side with two strikeouts and a sharp grounder to the mound to close out the win. He finished with eight strikeouts and no walks.

The Raiders (2-0) will play host District 1-5A rival Milton at 1 p.m. today at Navarre High School. The NHS Baseball Booster Club will sponsor a fish fry to raise funds for the team.