YUMA, Ariz. — Down but never out, Northwest Florida State softball mounted an incredible comeback to stun No. 6 Odessa College, scoring five unanswered runs across the final two innings to walk it off, 5-4, on a clutch single by Falyn Beebe.
What started as a pitcher’s duel quickly turned into a thriller. Both starters — Cailyn Heyl for the Raiders and Haidyn Miley for the Wranglers — came off complete-game outings, and both were sharp early. Heyl held Odessa scoreless through three, but the Wranglers broke through in the fourth with three straight singles to plate three runs. A sixth-inning double and sac fly extended Odessa’s lead to 4-0.
The Raiders’ offense had been quiet, managing just three hits through five innings — until Karson McGowen sparked life in the sixth. Her RBI single up the middle opened the scoring, and a double by Lulu Luedtke put two in scoring position for Sister Arnold. The FCSAA Player of the Year came through in a massive way, launching a three-run bomb to left to cut the deficit to just one.
Heyl returned for her seventh inning of work and kept the Wranglers at bay, stranding a runner to set the stage for the Raiders’ dramatic finish.
Sara Watson, perfect at the plate with a 3-for-3 day, led off the bottom of the seventh with a single. A sacrifice bunt moved her into scoring position before McGowen delivered again, this time with a game-tying single to center. An error and a groundout put two runners in scoring position for Beebe, who worked a full count and then lined the game-winner into center field to complete the walk-off.
Watson led the offense with three hits, while Arnold (3 RBIs), McGowen, and Beebe each played key roles in the five-run rally. Heyl earned her 32nd win of the season with her second straight complete game effort.
With the win, the Raiders advance in the winner’s bracket and will face No. 7 Gaston at 5:45 p.m. tomorrow on ESPN+. The red-hot Rhinos come in at 62-3 after dominant wins over No. 10 Trinity Valley (6-2) and No. 18 Rose State (11-1, 5 innings).
Gaston boasts the most explosive offense in the nation, leading in nearly every major category — including runs, hits, doubles, RBIs, extra-base hits, and total bases. Four players — Grace Kealy (20), Skye Harrington (15), Kendall Bradshaw (10), and Katelyn Brandon (10) — have combined for 45 of the team’s 83 home runs. Batting average leaders Makenna Jones and Sarah Jonshon are both hitting over .500.
In the circle, the Rhinos rely primarily on ace Kristyn Ezzo, who’s logged 162.2 innings with a 1.29 ERA and 153 strikeouts. She’s pitched in both of Gaston’s tournament games so far, allowing just three runs over 12 innings.
