Blue Raiders Fall to Belmont 2-1

Wednesday, February 22

Nashville, Tenn.

1:30 PM

Middle Tennessee

Belmont

2/22/2006 5:42:00 PM | Softball

By: MT Media Relations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee softball (1-6) dropped a heartbreaker 2-1 to Belmont University (3-0) Wednesday at Aquinas Park. It was scheduled to be a doubleheader, but inclement weather forced the second game to be canceled. The game was tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, and with two outs, it looked like Middle Tennessee would force extra innings. Relief pitcher Laura Moore seemed to be cruising as she got two quick outs, but she nicked Sammi Parks with a pitch, placing the Belmont Bruin on first. Belmont's late-inning rally continued when Moore gave up a single to Erin Mullen to place runners on first and second. Renee Beauchman's RBI single scored Parks and gave Belmont the game. After three scoreless innings, it was Belmont who struck first. With the bases loaded, Belmont's Heather Grossnickle hit an RBI single that scored Mullen for the first run of the contest. Middle Tennessee came back in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game. Catcher Katie Mielke drew a leadoff walk and then moved to second when Muriel Ledbetter hit a one out single. Mielke scored the Blue Raider's lone run when freshman Samantha Floyd hit a double to plate Mielke. "I am really proud of Sam's performance today," said Head Coach Leigh Podlesny. "It was a great hit, and most importantly, she hit the double with runners on." The Blue Raiders had its chance to take the lead in the top of the sixth inning. Trish White led off with a double and pinch hitter Jennifer Dorais' sacrifice bunt sent White to third. With one out, Middle Tennessee failed to send the runner home when Davis and Mielke had back-to-back groundouts. "We have really done a poor job with runners in scoring position," Podlesny said. "We have got to take advantage when we have runners on." Junior hurler White got the start in the game, but after five innings, she was pulled in favor of Moore and got the no decision. White allowed five hits, one run and struck out two. Moore took the loss and falls to 1-3 on the season after working 1.2 innings allowing three hits and one run. Middle Tennessee's Ledbetter, Floyd and White each had doubles in the game. Ledbetter led the team going 2-for-3 in the game. The Blue Raiders return to action on Friday when the club hosts Lipscomb in the first day of the MT Strikeout Breast Cancer Classic. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Star Plex.