Indians Clinch Another Series With 8-2 Win

By: Dustin Kent - JCFloridan.com

The Chipola Indians bounced back from a weekend loss to Northwest Florida State by knocking off the Raiders 8-2 Tuesday night in Niceville to clinch their fourth consecutive Panhandle Conference series 2-1.

Tom Watson picked up the win for six scoreless innings in which he allowed just three hits and three walks while striking out four, with Michael Royal taking the loss after giving up two earned runs on nine hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.

The Raiders won Saturday's meeting in Marianna 13-9 thanks to back-to-back five-run innings in the sixth and seventh, but it was all Indians on Tuesday following a two-run first inning for Northwest.

Chipola took the lead for good with four runs in the third, getting consecutive two-out, two-RBI hits by Josh Merrigan and Bert Givens to go up 4-2.

The Indians added three more runs in the fifth, starting with an RBI single by Merrigan off of Northwest reliever Mike Dolloff, followed two batters later by a two-RBI double by Chase Scott to make it 7-2.

Chipola tacked on one more insurance run in the ninth when Danny Mars drew a one-out walk from Alberto Rodriguez, moved to second base on a passed ball, to third on a stolen base, and came home on ground ball to third by Ian Rice.

Watson closed it out in the ninth to run his record to 7-0 on the season, earning the win after coming on in relief of starter Adonis Hernandez, who gave up two earned runs on three hits and a walk in three innings.

Scott led Chipola with three hits and added two RBI, with Merrigan finishing 2-for-5 with two runs and three RBI, and Jason Sierra and Cody Lanford each providing two hits.

Mars walked twice and scored three runs.

Danny Blanco had two hits to lead the Raiders, who fell to 23-14 overall and 5-7 in conference.

Chipola will return to action Wednesday with a 5 p.m. game against Gulf Coast State in Panama City.