Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
White Closes Out Blue-White World Series With 8-7 Win
10/29/2016 5:03:00 PM | Baseball
The Teams Have Combined for 45 hits over the last 2 games
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— The offenses exploded for 23 hits, as White earned its first win of the series, 8-7 in Game 5 of the Blue-White World Series at Reese Smith Field Saturday afternoon.
Blue struck first again in the first inning for the fifth straight game. Senior Riley Delgado grounded into a fielder's choice to score fellow senior Chaz Vesser, who went 2-for-3 with three runs in the game.
The Blue squad led 3-0, going into the bottom of the fourth, when newcomer Ryan Kemp smacked a two-RBI double to right field, keeping White within striking distance.
White scored two more runs in the fifth to take the 4-3 lead, before Blake Benefield crushed a two-RBI double of his own to right center field in the sixth for Blue.
The White team answered right back in the seventh putting up a four runs in the frame. Sophomore standout Austin Dennis started the scoring spree, ripping a RBI-triple down the left field line. Later in the inning, it was Kemp again. This time the second baseman chopped a two-run single through the right side, part of his 2-for-3, four RBI day.
Blue added a run in the eighth and ninth, but the comeback fell short.
Six different Blue Raiders ended with multi-hit games. Benefield swung the bat well, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Freshman Elliott Curtis had his best game of the series, hitting 2-for-3 with a RBI for Blue.
For White, two-way player Devin Conn went 2-for-4, while crossing the plate twice. Senior Kevin Dupree got back on track, going 2-for-3 in the game.
With the Blue-White World Series finishing up, Head Coach Jim McGuire looks for his players to put in the work over the offseason.
"We want to get bigger, faster, stronger in the weight room," said McGuire. "We try not to say this is a down time, because it's a time where the guys have to continue to get better. We will do some group work to try and make some improvements going forward."
The progress that the squad has made over the course of the fall has McGuire excited about the future of this team.
"I feel better from the beginning of the fall to now, I feel better from last year to this year, and from last fall to this fall, I think we've made a lot of strides. I like the chemistry of this team and how they've bonded this fall."
Blue struck first again in the first inning for the fifth straight game. Senior Riley Delgado grounded into a fielder's choice to score fellow senior Chaz Vesser, who went 2-for-3 with three runs in the game.
The Blue squad led 3-0, going into the bottom of the fourth, when newcomer Ryan Kemp smacked a two-RBI double to right field, keeping White within striking distance.
White scored two more runs in the fifth to take the 4-3 lead, before Blake Benefield crushed a two-RBI double of his own to right center field in the sixth for Blue.
The White team answered right back in the seventh putting up a four runs in the frame. Sophomore standout Austin Dennis started the scoring spree, ripping a RBI-triple down the left field line. Later in the inning, it was Kemp again. This time the second baseman chopped a two-run single through the right side, part of his 2-for-3, four RBI day.
Blue added a run in the eighth and ninth, but the comeback fell short.
Six different Blue Raiders ended with multi-hit games. Benefield swung the bat well, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Freshman Elliott Curtis had his best game of the series, hitting 2-for-3 with a RBI for Blue.
For White, two-way player Devin Conn went 2-for-4, while crossing the plate twice. Senior Kevin Dupree got back on track, going 2-for-3 in the game.
With the Blue-White World Series finishing up, Head Coach Jim McGuire looks for his players to put in the work over the offseason.
"We want to get bigger, faster, stronger in the weight room," said McGuire. "We try not to say this is a down time, because it's a time where the guys have to continue to get better. We will do some group work to try and make some improvements going forward."
The progress that the squad has made over the course of the fall has McGuire excited about the future of this team.
"I feel better from the beginning of the fall to now, I feel better from last year to this year, and from last fall to this fall, I think we've made a lot of strides. I like the chemistry of this team and how they've bonded this fall."
Players Mentioned
OF/IF
/ Baseball
P/OF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
SS
/ Baseball
OF/IF
/ Baseball
1B/OF
/ Baseball
C
/ BaseballFacility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
Monday, April 21
🎥 from the 52nd annual Groundhog Day Luncheon! Also, we play baseball this month 🤩
Sunday, February 02
MTSU Baseball 2025 52nd Annual Groundhog Day Luncheon
Friday, January 31
