Blue Raiders Shutout Belmont 7-0, 8-0

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee softball shutout Belmont 7-0 and 8-0 in the Blue Raider's first two games of the fall season Thursday at Blue Raider Field.

The win, in a way, avenges the 2-1 loss the Blue Raiders suffered at the hands of the Bruins last season. The clubs decided to play two five inning games with free substitutions and allowing everyone on the roster, who was eligible, to hit.

Freshman lefty hurler Lindsey Vander Lugt saw her first real action in a Blue Raider uniform, as she got the starting nod for Middle Tennessee in the first game. She didn't disappoint, as the Tumwater, Washington native tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just one Belmont hit, striking out two and walking one.

Middle Tennessee didn't waste anytime getting on the board in the first game. Sophomore Martha Davis got the Blue Raiders started with a one out single, which brought up senior Shelby Stiner, the reigning Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year. Stiner proved she was ready to pick up where she left off, as she sent Bruin pitcher Kori Bowser's offering over the left field wall for a two run homer.

With two outs, senior Melissa Weiland kept the Blue Raiders alive in the first inning with a single to centerfield. A walk by Muriel Ledbetter and a single by Whitney Darlington loaded the bases and Belmont's Bowser walked Katie Mielke for the third run of the inning.

Middle Tennessee capped off the first game with four more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Corrie Abel led off the inning with a single and was sent home thanks to a two-run shot by Weiland over the centerfield wall. The Blue Raiders remaining two runs in the inning were courtesy of back-to-back RBI singles by newcomer Ashley Cline and sophomore Sam Floyd.

Weiland led the club in game one going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI. Davis, Stiner and Abel each went 1-for-2.

In the second game, Floyd got the call to the mound. She too picked up a shutout, going five innings allowing two hits and striking out three.

Again, Middle Tennessee didn't waste any time in the scoring department jumping out to an early 2-0 lead after one inning. With one out, Abel hit an RBI single to plate Stiner for the first run of the inning. After a single by Weiland, Abel and Weiland perfected the double steal to allow Abel to score.

Cline started off the second inning by drawing a walk, and after moving to second off a ground out by Mielke, Cline stole third to set up the score in the second inning. Cline scored off a Belmont error.

Back-to-back walks by Kristine Reed and Caitlin McLure started the third inning. A ground out by Davis placed the runners at second and third and an RBI single by Stiner scored Reed. Stiner stole second and then Abel ground out to second for an RBI, scoring McLure. Stiner scored thanks to an RBI double by Weiland.

Middle Tennessee round out the game in the fourth inning, scoring two additional runs in the game. Cline and Floyd had RBI singles in the inning for the scores.

Stiner led the Blue Raiders in the second game. The shortstop went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, one RBI and one stolen base.

Middle Tennessee continues its fall campaign on Friday, Sept. 29 facing off against Motlow State. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Blue Raider Field.