Raiders drop finale of FGCU Tourney

Sunday, February 14

Fort Myers, Fla.

8:00 AM

Middle Tennessee

2-3

UIC

2-3

UIC

Middle Tennessee

2/14/2016 5:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

MT falls to UIC 5-1

By: @MT_Athletics

FORT MYERS, FLA. – Middle Tennessee (2-3) finished the FGCU Kickoff Classic with a tough 5-1 defeat to the UIC Flames (2-3) Sunday.

The game started slowly, as each team was scoreless for the first two innings. In the top of the third, UIC got to Raider starter Kelci Cheney as LaRi Mitchell earned a bunt single and Jasmine Willis scored on a throwing error. Mitchell then stole second and a pitch later advanced to third, making it easy to score on Taylor Cairns's single to right field for a 2-0 Flames advantage.

UIC added another run in the top of the fourth as Emily Wetzel singled with runners on first and second to score Skylee James to increase their lead to 3-0.

Middle Tennessee got a run back in the bottom of the inning Kristen Uselton earned her own base hit with runners on first and second and Morgan Harris scored to cut the Flame lead to 3-1. But that's the closest the Raiders came to UIC the rest of the day.

In the top of the seventh the Flames added some insurance as Tiana Mack-Miller came up with a bases loaded single to center. The hit scored Cairns and Wetzel and the UIC lead increased to 5-1. Relief pitcher Elaine Heflin retired the Raiders in order in the bottom half and the Flames gave MT their third defeat of the season, 5-1.

The Raiders were able to put together seven hits in the game, but were just 3-9 with runners in scoring position and collected only one two-out hit all day long. Megan Griffith and Kristin Uselton each had 2-3 days and Uselton earned an RBI, but neither were able to score a run.

Cheney (2-2) pitched well again as she allowed three runs on four hits over 5.0 innings. Cheney also picked up a season high four strikeouts and only gave up two walks, but took the loss to even her record. Pattie Taylor pitched in relief for the third time this season and gave up two runs on three hits in 2.0 innings of work. Taylor struck out one and walked one of the nine batters she faced.

Middle Tennessee will be back on the road this upcoming weekend as they travel to Montgomery, Ala. for the Black & Gold Tournament hosted by Alabama State. The Raiders play two on Friday, the first one against Nicholls State and scheduled to start at noon, while the second matchup will be against the UMBC Retrievers and is expected to begin at 4pm.