Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
22-20-1, 0
UTSA
22-18, 0
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wyrick, Jake (2-3)
L: PATEL, Karan (2-2)
Batting:
2B: BROOKOVER, Ben 1
3B: KENG, Chase 1
HR: ESTRADA, Chris 1
RBI: ESTRADA, Chris 3 ; TAPIA, Jonathan 2
Base Running:
RUNS: MOON, Garrett 1 ; ROCK, Dylan 2 ; ESTRADA, Chris 2
SB: TAPIA, Jonathan 1
Batting:
2B: Dennis, Austin 1 ; Benefield, Blake 2 ; Antonini, Aaron 1 ; Huff, Drew 2 ; Prewett, Darien 1
3B: Dennis, Austin 1
RBI: Dennis, Austin 2 ; Benefield, Blake 4 ; Antonini, Aaron 2 ; Huff, Drew 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Woodard, LA 3 ; Dennis, Austin 3 ; Kemp, Ryan 1 ; Aucker, Aaron 2 ; Benefield, Blake 1 ; Antonini, Aaron 1 ; Prewett, Darien 1
SB: Woodard, LA 1 ; Dennis, Austin 1 ; Kemp, Ryan 1
HBP: Aucker, Aaron 1 ; Benefield, Blake 1
Game Leaders
Raiders dominate game one against UTSA
4/27/2018 9:48:00 PM | Baseball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee recorded eight extra base hits on the way to their dominant win over UTSA in the series opener in Reese Smith Jr. Field 12-5 on Friday night.
"I'm glad we played with more confidence, I think in too many conference games we press too hard," said head coach Jim McGuire. "I think we did a much better job of that tonight, though.
"We made some mistakes there, but we overcame a lot and I was proud of the way we battled."
Things were slow for both squads early on, but MT broke through in the score on the way to scoring 10 runs in a three innings stretch. In that span, the Blue Raiders tallied five doubles, including two from junior right fielder Blake Benefield.
Benefield finished the day 2-for-4 with four RBIs and one run scored. Austin Dennis was also effective at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, two RBIs, three runs scored, one stolen base and two walks drawn.
"We just wanted to be aggressive (at the plate)," said Benefield. "We tried to attack early and it was effective, we need to keep playing like we did tonight.
"If we keep on hitting well like today, we're going to be fine."
While the Blue Raiders tallied 14 hits, with each starter recording one hit; they also featured a balanced attack at the plate, drawing seven walks off the UTSA pitching staff.
Jake Wyrick got the start on the mound for the Blue Raiders, and had the Roadrunners off balance throughout his entire outing. Wyrick's day ended in the sixth, with a line of 5-1/3 innings pitched, only allowing two runs and fanning seven batters.
Wyrick's outing lowered his ERA to 3.86, the best of any MT starter in the 2018 season.
"(Jake's) stuff was really good," McGuire added. "Other than the walks, I thought he was really effective. We need the same thing from Carson tomorrow."
Drew Huff relieved Wyrick in the sixth and came into a sticky situation. With the bases loaded, and only one out, Huff struck out two straight batters and preserved the MT lead.
Peyton Wigginton closed things out for MT, tossing a perfect ninth inning. The Blue Raiders aim to win the series tomorrow against the Roadrunners. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
