Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
5-6
Kennesaw State
6-5
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Clements, Reid (1-0)
L: Wilkes, Taylor (0-1)
S: Holcombe, Tyler (3)
Batting:
2B: Helms, Griffin 1
HR: Upshaw, Austin 1
RBI: Erwin, Chris 1 ; Williams, Grant 1 ; Upshaw, Austin 1 ; Howell, Jeremy 2 ; Allum, Taylor 1
SF: Howell, Jeremy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Erwin, Chris 2 ; Williams, Grant 1 ; Upshaw, Austin 1 ; Greeson, Corey 1 ; Bryant, LaDonis 1 ; Chabut, David 1
CS: Bryant, LaDonis 1
Batting:
2B: Dennis, Austin 1 ; Kunsa, Phillip 1
HR: Dennis, Austin 1
RBI: Sullivan, Kevin 1 ; Dennis, Austin 4 ; Aucker, Aaron 1 ; Huff, Drew 1 ; Benefield, Blake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Delgado, Riley 3 ; Sullivan, Kevin 1 ; Dennis, Austin 1 ; Kunsa, Phillip 1 ; Benefield, Blake 1 ; Vesser, Chaz 2
SB: Dennis, Austin 1
CS: Kunsa, Phillip 1
HBP: Sullivan, Kevin 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Blue Raiders Take Series vs. KSU, Behind Dennis' Big Day
3/5/2017 5:52:00 PM | Baseball
Austin Dennis finished 4-of-4 and a triple shy of a cycle
Sophomore slugger Austin Dennis was the star of the show, going 4-of-4 with four RBI and a triple shy of the cycle. The Rockledge Fla., native's four hits tied a career-high set back in 2016 at Austin Peay. Dennis reached base all five of his at bats, including a monster solo home run in the fifth.
After Dennis' homer in the fifth frame MT still trailed 4-3 heading into the sixth. That's when the Blue Raider runs came pouring in.
In just his second career start, junior Phillip Kunsa got things going with a double down the left field line. On the next play, Blake Benefield tied the game with a single in nearly the same spot as Kunsa's double. Benefield then scored on a passed ball to give the Blue Raiders the lead.
Three walks and a hit-by-pitch accounted for the other two runs in the inning. MT lead 7-4 after six.
MT added two more runs in the seventh after back-to-back RBI-singles from Kevin Sullivan and Dennis.
"At the plate I thought that we were a lot better today, we made things happen," said Head Coach Jim McGuire. "We created a lot of innings and opportunities with the walks and striking out less, we got some big hits too, when you score nine runs you should win just about every time."
Middle Tennessee faced some adversity in the eighth, giving up three runs, before bringing in redshirt sophomore Tyler Holcombe to shut the door.
Holcombe entered in the eighth with the bases loaded, and the go-ahead run at the plate for KSU. Holcombe got the next batter to fly out and end the Kennesaw threat.
The Conyers, Ga., native found himself in another jam in the ninth. With the bases loaded, two outs and a 2-2 count, Holcombe got another fly ball out end the game.
Holcombe (3) picked up his third save in the first 10 games of the year, which ties the most saves by any Blue Raider pitcher in 2016.
Reid Clements (1-0) earned the win in relief, throwing a solid 3-1/3 innings allowing two earned runs, while fanning four batters. KSU reliever Taylor Wilkes (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
The Blue Raiders are back on the road this week, heading to Memphis for a two-game midweek series against the Tigers. Game one set for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
The games will be audio streamed through CUSA.tv/RaiderVision. Radio coverage provided on 92. 3 FM (WMOT 2). Live tweets are available on Twitter @MT_Baseball.
