NHS wins preseason games

Navarre High School’s softball team opened the season with 12-1 and 11-1 preseason home wins against Gulf Breeze and Milton, respectively.

Both games ended early because the “mercy rule” was in effect. As the scores might indicate, the Raiders’ pitching was spectacular and the defense played errorless ball.

Navarre 12, Gulf Breeze 1

The Lady Raiders trounced Gulf Breeze 12-1 Jan. 29 in the first preseason softball game.
Navarre used six walks and two Dolphin errors to score nine runs in the second inning and put the game out of reach.

The Raiders scored one run in the first inning when Shana Pearl reached first on an error. Pearl promptly stole second and later scored on an infield hit by Brooke Murphy.

The second inning seemed like it would go on forever as the Raiders sent 14 batters to the plate. Freshman Callan Taylor walked to lead off the inning. Sara Wilson reached first base on an error and Allyson Bacon walked to load the bases. Crystal Evans singled in Taylor for the first run of the inning. Pearl and Kamber Anderson walked, scoring Wilson and Bacon to make the score 4-0. Jenna Bobbitt singled in Evans and Pearl. Murphy walked to load the bases. Allison “Cat” Pettigrew singled, scoring Anderson and giving the Raiders a 7-0 lead. Taylor reached first when the right fielder dropped her fly ball. Bobbitt scored on the Dolphin error. Wilson lined a hard line-drive double to the left field gap scoring Murphy and Pettigrew. The Dolphins finally got out of the inning, but the damage was done: the Raiders led 10-0.

The Raiders picked up two more runs in the third inning. Anderson led off the inning with a walk. Bobbitt hit a vicious line drive that struck the Dolphin pitcher in the face. Murphy singled to load the bases. Pettigrew and Bacon were walked, scoring Anderson and Bobbitt.

Pettigrew pitched three no-hit innings, striking out five and walking one. Audry Thomas came on in the fourth inning and gave up two hits and one earned run.

Navarre 11, Milton 1

Led by Bobbitt’s double, triple and four RBIs, the Raiders overpowered Milton in an 11-1 victory Jan. 31. Navarre scored six runs in the first inning, sending 10 batters to the plate, and the outcome was never in doubt.

With one out, Anderson walked and scored on Bobbitt’s triple to left center. Murphy walked to put runners on the corners. Pettigrew singled in Bobbitt to make the score 2-0. Taylor singled to load the bases. Murphy scored on a passed ball. Wilson singled to load the bases, Evans singled in Taylor, Thomas doubled home Pettigrew and Taylor and the Raiders led 6-0.

The Raiders scored three more runs in the fourth inning. Evans led off with a double to right field, but was thrown out at third base while trying to stretch it into a triple. After Thomas reached first by getting hit by a pitch, Anderson singled and Bobbitt lined a double, scoring Thomas and Anderson. Murphy’s single scored Bobbitt to make the score 9-1.

The Raiders picked up another run when Pearl walked with the bases loaded. Milton cringed as Bobbitt came to the plate with bases loaded. She promptly lined a shot off the right field fence to end the game.

Thomas started the game on the mound. She pitched four innings, striking out three and giving up one earned run.

Pettigrew pitched one inning, striking out two.

The Raiders’ next game is scheduled Feb. 8 at Pensacola Washington.