Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky
Mitchell Ties School Record With Homerun in Split
4/10/2004 6:22:00 PM | Softball
In the second extra inning game of the series, Western Kentucky pitcher Alison Silver clinched the game for the Hilltoppers with a three run homer over the centerfield wall in the second game to win 4-1. The Lady Raiders had a chance to end the game in regulation when runners at second and third and nobody out to start the sixth inning, but the next three batters couldn't push a runner around and the game stayed tied 1-1.
Western Kentucky got on board first, for the first time in the series, with a solo homerun by Jessie Richardson in the bottom of the fourth inning. Middle Tennessee tied it 1-1 off an RBI double by Muriel Ledbetter which plated Katie Tompkins.
Hurler Crystal Bobo (9-9) took the loss as she threw 6.1 innings allowing eight hits, four runs and striking out two. Freshman Ashley Frizzell came into the game and threw two innings of relief before she was pulled and Bobo came back in to finish the game.
Cortney Mitchell's two run blast over the left field wall, in the top of the six, was the highlight of the Lady Raiders 5-3 win in game one. It was also the added insurance Middle Tennessee needed to take game three of the series.
Middle Tennessee picked up where it left off in Friday's second game, as the Lady Raiders struck in the third inning with three runs. The Lady Raiders got a run off an RBI single by Brandy Davis, then tacked on two more with a two RBI effort by Melissa Weiland.
Western Kentucky put together a run in the bottom of the fifth when Renita Pennington hit an RBI single, which plated Alana Towns. After Mitchell's two run blast in the sixth, the Hilltoppers added another run in the bottom of the sixth off an RBI fielder's choice by Sam Hansen.
With Bobo on the mound for relief, the Hilltoppers attempted a rally when Towns hit a lead-off single to begin the seventh then Bobo struck out Alison Silver for the first out. Dana Rey hit a scorcher to left field that hit the wall, she was tagged out at third by Weiland however for the second out, but did score Towns. Bobo denied the Hilltoppers any other rally attempts when she got a called strike three on Pennington to end the inning and the game.
Brittany Herald took the win in her seventh start of the season and improved to 2-1. In the game she went five innings allowing four hits and two runs and striking out three.
Middle Tennessee finally returns home after a 22-game road swing when the Lady Raiders host Austin Peay on April 13. First pitch action is set for 2 p.m.
GAME NOTES: Mitchell has now hit safely in 16 games and her ninth homerun of the season ties the school record for four-baggers in a season .... Jennifer Grybash got her first hit as a Lady Raider when she hit a single in Saturday's first game against Western Kentucky ... Bobo notched her first save of the season.
