Tech Upends MT 11-6

Monday, March 11

Cookeville, TN

4:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Tennessee Tech

3/11/2002 9:45:00 PM | Baseball

By: MT Media Relations

The Blue Raiders overcame six errors against Tennessee Tech and pulled out a last-inning victory over the Golden Eagles on Sunday afternoon. Monday's game was a different story entirely as Tennessee Tech prevailed 11-6. Middle Tennessee (8-4) committed four defensive miscues in the bottom of the second inning that led to five Tech runs. The Golden Eagles (6-8) plated two more in the bottom of the third and the Blue Raiders could not recover. The team did, however, mount a comeback through the middle innings. Middle Tennessee finally got on the board in the top of the fourth when Marshall Nisbett blasted his fourth home run of the year over the right field wall. An RBI single from Derek Phillips and a run-producing double from Chuck Akers put the Blue Raiders within striking distance at 7-3. Tech scored one more run in the bottom of the inning, but the Blue Raiders continued to rally in the top of the fifth. Nisbett singled with one out and back-to-back doubles from Brett Carroll and Josh Archer gave the team two more runs, making the score 8-5 after five innings. The score would remain there until Tech plated three more runs in the bottom of the eighth behind two singles and three MT walks. The Blue Raiders got off the deck to score a runs in the top of the ninth, but it was too little, too late as Tennessee Tech held on for the victory. Adam Larson took the loss for the Blue Raiders to move to 1-1 on the season while Doug Vincent got the win in relief, putting his record at 1-0 on the year. Offensively, the Blue Raiders were paced by Josh Archer, who was 2-for-4, and Marshall Nisbett, who went 2-for-5. Brett Carroll drove in two runs in a 1-for-4 performance at the plate. The Blue Raiders will hit the road again on Tuesday, heading to Memphis for a two-game set against the Tigers. Tuesday's contest is set to begin at 7 PM and Wednesday's game is slated for a 2 PM first pitch. Both games can be heard locally on WMTS FM 88.3 FM or via the internet at GoBlueRaiders.com. NOTES TWO-WAY PLAYER: Senior Marshall Nisbett made his first-ever pitching appearance against the Golden Eagles. Nisbett came in to pitch in the top of the ninth. He recorded all three outs in the inning without being charged with a run. Nisbett walked one and struck out two during his tenure. CAPONE GETS START: Sophomore transfer Joe Capone got his first career start at first base against Tennessee Tech. Capone filled in for regular Doug Kunicki, who stayed in Murfreesboro on Monday due to class conflicts. Kunicki is expected to accompany the team for the regularly-scheduled Tuesday-Wednesday series. MISCUES CONTINUE TO HURT: The Blue Raiders' poor play in the field returned to haunt the team on Monday afternoon. The team's six error day gives the squad 19 errors in the past 27 innings of play. On the year, the Blue Raiders have committed 32 errors and have a fielding percentage of .930. THIS AND THAT: Marshall Nisbett now leads the Blue Raiders with four homers on the year - Blue Raider starters are now 5-2 on the year - the Blue Raiders' two games against Memphis this week will be played at Auto Zone park, home of the Memphis Redbirds Class AA team - Saturday and Sunday's games against Southwest Missouri will be broadcast on WMTS and via the internet.