Commodores move to 14-4 in conference play

The Gulf Coast State College Commodores put together an exciting week on the field, earning back-to-back wins over Northwest Florida State with strong hitting and dominant pitching performances.  The Commodores opened the series on Tuesday, April 14 with a 12-7 win in a high-scoring game that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The Commodores struck first when Sam Brown launched a grand slam in the opening inning to give Gulf Coast an early lead. Brown finished the game with six runs batted in on two hits, leading the offense.  NWF answered with a six-run second inning to take the lead, but the Commodores did not back down. Gulf Coast responded in the third inning as Bray Touchstone and Lucas Badalato each delivered RBI doubles, and Rayce Griffin added another run to regain the lead. The game was tied again in the fifth, but Andrew Johnson gave Gulf Coast control for good with a three-run home run to right field, making it 10-7. The Commodores added two more runs late to secure the win.  Andrew Johnson led the team with three hits, while Brown added two hits and six RBI. Gulf Coast showed great discipline at the plate with nine walks and played clean defense without committing an error. On the mound, Jordan Martinez earned the win, and the bullpen shut the door with four scoreless innings, combining for 11 strikeouts in relief.

Gulf Coast carried that momentum into their game on Thursday, April 16, earning an 8-3 victory behind a dominant outing from Ian Swanson. The right-hander was in control all game, striking out 14 batters over six innings while allowing just three runs.  The Commodores once again jumped out early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Carson Zagryn drove in a run with a double, and Badalato followed with a two-run single to make it 3-0.  Gulf Coast St. continued to build its lead throughout the game. Brown added an RBI single in the third inning, and Touchstone highlighted the fifth with a solo home run. The Commodores added another run in the inning and later extended the lead to 8-3 in the eighth.  The offense stayed steady with 11 hits, as Brown, Zagryn, Touchstone, and Badalato each recorded two hits. Brown and Badalato also drove in two runs apiece, helping lead a balanced attack. Out of the bullpen, Gavin Jerkins, Michael Daniel, and Pierce Juhan combined for three scoreless innings and five strikeouts to close out the game.

The Commodores finish their series vs. NWF with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 18th in Niceville, FL.